Hey folks, I just bought my first new vehicle, a 2017 Tacoma SR, 2.7l, 4x4, 5 speed.
In 4lo, I definitely think this thing performs some function of automatic LSD, although previous model trucks are said to need a modification to use this feature in 4lo.
I am an ASE certified mechanic with 20 years of off road and mechanical experience, as well as a bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering, so I know I am not mistaking the advantages of low range for brake modulation style traction control.
On some very steep, off camber, rocky sections near my house, the new Taco climbed up easier than my lifted, locked wrangler on 33" mud tires, although the Taco is stock on street tires.
The same obstacle was almost impossible in my stock 92 4runner on 32" BFG KO2's.
Can anybody here verify whether or not the base model truck actually has this feature?
​​​​I Mean actual documentation, or perhaps someone else who has experienced this stuff under similar circumstances.
Post what you know!

 

not sure but it is possible that you truck came with a LSD
http://www.ih8mud.com/wp-content/upl...nd-Handout.pdf

if you just picked it up it seems the dealer should be able to print a spec sheet for you based on the VIN or the window sheet would have it..

 

Thanks. The build sheet does say it has an automatic LSD, however, on the auto lsd trucks (which work via brake modulation of slipping wheels) up to 2015, the feature doesn't work in 4lo without snipping the wire that tells the computer the truck is in 4lo. I'm thinking that the 3rd Gen Tacoma allows the auto LSD to work in 4lo now, but I'm not 100% sure. If the "Yellow Wire Mod" is a necessity on the new models, I'll be doing it as soon as the warranty is out. I use 4lo in the hairiest situations, and fairly often.

 

Am I the only person who uses 4lo on a 3rd Gen Tacoma? Nobody here or tacomaworld have actually given a straight answer other than what they think based on previous models.

 

Don't you have the LSD button? I have the 2016 TRD Sport V6 and I have the LSD overide button located in the overhead console. I have seen the button located in other places though - I imagine that the button location could be trim specific.

From my experience, my truck's offroad performance is crap with the LSD on (particularly in sandy situations) so I usually turn it off. I can't recall 4LO, but I know I can turn it on and off in 4HI and 2WD. I'll take a look when I go to lunch to see if it can be turned on and off in 4LO

 

I've owned 5 Tacomas since 1999, including my current 17 TRD OR, and have used 4lo and the locker on all of them. Crawl control seems out of control when using it especially on rocks, but I digress.

 

This thread is still about the base model Tacoma. Mine is a 2017 SR with a 2.5 and a 5 speed. I have a video showing my traction control at work in Colorado this summer, but I'm still trying to figure out how to post it. I may have to upload to YouTube and post the link.
Anyway, the video shows me climbing a steep, off camber section near Colorado Springs, on one of the trails off of the Old Stage Road. You clearly see a front wheel leave the ground, spin just a little, then very obviously stops, and the truck continues forward. This section would have been a lot trickier with just open diffs and no traction assistance.

 

Here's the video. Truck is a stock 2017 SR with FJ wheels and 265/70/17 BFG Mall-Terrain tires.
WARNING: NSFW commentary from my redneck buddy holding my phone for this video.

Obviously not A-trac, but it does more to help than my open diff '80 pickup does.