I hit a storm coming back from the coast yesterday. The plowed roads froze and then fog moved in freezing on top of that. VERY SLIPPERY!! I seemed to be going okay in 2WD, so I left in there because it keeps the VSC on. We came around a corner and hit ice, momentarily slid sideways but the VSC pulled through. Going uphill I switched to 4WD but back to 2 when it leveled. On the freeway I hit another ice patch only longer (about 80 miles long), and once again slipped sideways and narrowly missed the median and went a little sideways as I steered away from it at 45 mph, but VSC enabled me to get it under control in about 2 very very long seconds. I then clicked to 4WD and slowed to about 35-40, to keep the wife from being so nervous and was okay from there on out. So the question is, was I foolish leaving it in 2wd for so long just to keep VSC on?
Next question, I pulled off the road into about 5in of fresh snow to check on someone who had spun off the road, I was still in 2wd as I left and the traction control did want to let any wheel spin. It just kept clicking and cutting all power so I put it in 4wd and was fine. If I were to have given it full throttle would it have been able to over come the affects of the Traction Control. I know that if I was able to spin the tires a bit I could have made it out.

 

My experience is that once TRAC kicks in, it just won't let me power up. Even with the center diff locked, once TRAC 'thinks' a problem is starting, it takes over and cuts damn near all the power.

Having said that, with center diff locked and stopped in a foot of snow, if I punch it and hold the RPM's over 3000 and get the wheels spinning, then then TRAC won't kick in till I let off. But with a V8 on icy hills made by ATV's I really hate doing that and usually I end up in 4 deep holes .

I've yet to install the master brake cylinder hack using a ground.

 

My traction control is far more intrusive than yours is I guess. I must mention that I don't have a center diff though. I took it out in some mud today to try and find a way to trick the system, but no, it just cuts all my powa!! A bit annoying. I like the fact that it is willing to climb just about anything (however slowly) even without engaging my locker, but dang it, sometimes I just wan to be a kid again and spin a few donuts. Is that too much to ask! I guess I'll be doing the locker mod. I thought I could learn to live with this nanny, but now I'm thinkin' she's gotta go.

 

Time for the Andy mod

 

But based on your avatar, don't know if it is the same as the Andy mod for 4runners.