MTS plus rear locker?

I was climbing a steep hill this weekend and decided to use the rear locker along with MTS to minimize wheel spinning on front diff. I had MTS selected initially. When I engaged the rear locker , MTS was deactivated. I looked at my Owner’s Manual and it says “MTS ABS” does not operate when rear locker engaged so looks correct. I realize the rear wheels locked together negates the need for MTS in rear. But MTS could still operate up front. Once the ECU disabled MTS, I re-selected it and MTS stayed operational as indicated by the overhead light associated with the permitted wheel-spin selection (Mogul, Rock, Mud-sand, etc). I also verified ATRAC will work with rear locker. If I recall correctly, with ATRAC initially selected, engaging the rear locker did not disable ATRAC. In summary, it looks possible to operate both MTS and rear locker as long as you select MTS after the rear locker is engaged.

 

Did you verify that it functions as selected or is the light just on?

 

That’s something I was wondering. I didn’t have a noticeable front tire spin that was mitigated by the ABS , which is usually audible. But that could have been because the rear locker was adequate to prevent a condition where more than one front tire was needed. In 4 Lo with the rear locker engaged we have 3 driven wheels. The hill I claimed was steep but not wet. I know from seeing Utubes that ATRAC can be used with the rear locker. Given that the Owners Manual states “MTS ABS” is disabled, when rear diff lock is engaged. I wouldn’t expect it to work. But I see ATRAC as just another level of MTS with non-selectable and minimal wheelspin. I’m not sure how ATRAC could work with rear diff lock and MTS wouldn’t. I would be interested to know if anyone has experience using rear diff lock with MTS or ATRAC

 

I'd be interested in some clarification too. During my vacation from the Navy ship, I've been real busy and haven't had a chance to do any real wheeling.

I went up a fairly steep quad trail on my property and was expecting to do some spinning if it made it up. Before driving up, I engaged the rear locker and then the ATRAC. Both appeared to remain on but since it drove up so easy no spinning occurred so I couldn't really tell if both were doing their job.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OU6HUGA6kgU

 

That’s about as steep as the hill I climbed on my property except I had some wheel articulation too. No spinning with just rear locker. With at least 3 drive wheels ,both rear due to locker, along with the one front wheel with the least traction (open diff up front) , I believe it’s enough traction to NOT spin. Your hill looks dry and mine was too. I have climbed this hill when wet and with MTS I get some slippage and ABS action to climb hill. There are several excellent Utubes illustrating ATRAC with rear locker. And the Owners Manual doesn’t preclude it. I’m starting to believe the rear locker is amazing traction even if no traction control on front. Of course all this discussion assumes you have good tires. The factory tires are crap for stuff like this. I’m just still unsure if MTS will operate on front of rear diff locked. As I said you must select MTS after rear diff lock to keep selector lights on.
https://youtu.be/4uM-BiJPl2I?feature=shared

 

Yep. It's dry and pretty much flat. I have 285 Falken AT3's fully aired up. Maybe I should do it again but this time unlocked and only ATRAC on to see what, if anything changes.You mentioned having the rear locked and ATRAC functioning for the front which seems like a good way to go to me if it does in fact work that way.

 

If you watch that video link I posted it will describe how all these systems work. He never uses MTS with rear locker. But he uses ATRAC with rear locker. I think he says once you hit 5 mph, ATRAC shuts down if rear locker engaged. His explanation is that ATRAC is primarily to get you unstuck at low speeds or stopped.

 

I did some mud today. Tried locked with atrac couldn't get a wheel to spin in the front and didn't hear the abs kick on. I also used mts and that one was making abs noise in the slow setting but not in fast. So who knows I have pretty aggressive m/t tho so prolly not a lot of slipping tires. Oh the splatter is from aggressive flooring it and sliding haha. Not from the hill climbs.

 

It was that way in my 2010 Tacoma so figured the Runner was the same.

 

Whippersnapper, do you think MTS will work in front with rear diff locked? If you select MTS after locking rear diff, the selector lights stay on. If MTS already selected, engaging diff lock disabled MTS. Looks clear that ATRAC will work with diff locked