4WD Drive Modes - Explanation

[fourharts56]

Hello everyone!
I have a 2024 TRD PRO and I love it! I have previously owned a 1987 4Runner (13 years), 2000 4Runner (19 years) and a 2017 Tundra (5 years). I don’t do much off roading except for snow ( I live in the mountains) and each summer we go to the outer banks and drive a bunch through the sand.
My question is: does anyone know a good video or written explanation of how to set up the truck for various off roads?
I have Watched everything I could find on YouTube, read the manuals and searched these forums. The problem is everyone does something different without consistency. I just watched a video where someone puts their truck in rock mode when he is driving through 12 inches of deep snow??? I also watched someone while in sand mode in 4 HI turn off traction control when I think the system turns it off automatically when you are in sand mode.
I understand how all the switches work, I don’t need instruction on how to put it in 4 HI or 4 LO I would like to understand when to set up all the different things together for what situation. For instance the adjustable shock settings the traction control button functions combined with the MTS.
just looking for recommendations.
Don’t beat me up to bad for being stupid. My older trucks were easy, 2 settings 4 HI or 4LO and then go tear it up.

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[WKTJR1]

There’s something to be said for old-school setups. Before I sold my Tundra, I had to spend a significant amount of money to fix the 4WD because the center actuator stopped working. Toyota charges $1,800 for the actuator (made by Aisin), but I found the exact same part on Amazon for $400 under the "Aisin" brand.

After that experience, I’d take manual hubs and a shift lever any day.

 

[fourharts56]

Hey Senior, I can relate.
i made Chief in 1992, retired as a Commander with 36 years.
My 2000 4Runner Sport Edition with 5 speed was my favorite. Never should have gotten rid of it, just put it in 4wd and go.

 

[emidyl]

there are obvious ones and there are ones that require thinking outside the box. Every condition is different, available traction, etc. Fortunate you have the options of MTS at your disposal. That saying there's more than 1 way to skin a cat, you'll see that maybe 2 or 3 settings allows you to get out of a similar situation. Is one wrong and the other correct? No just different. Don't over think it, just try each out, you might surprise yourself what will work despite your preconception.

 

[Chance3]

Fourhearts56
I know exactly what you mean! I am coming from a 2011 FJ 4x4 with two buttons, A-TRAC and a rear locker. Don't remember ever needing either button in snow/ice, sand, and heavily plowed hilly farmland when using 4WD...LOL. I will be using the "auto" selection, unless that doesn't work and then go from there....with my best guess....

 

[MHG]

So here on Long Island all we have is deep soft sand on the beach, deep snow if you get out before the plows, and mud if your on either private property or work for the power company. We don’t have rock crawling and our sand is speed limited very low depending on what beach you are driving in.

took my new 2025 out in the soft sand and turned on MTS. Effortless when exceeding the speed limit and potentially digging itself in when following the rules. So I spent the morning educating myself on the different modes and there is not Mitch more than different YouTube aspiring creators giving their best shot at explaining how the buttons work. Nothing about how the systems actually work.

I am beginning to think the sand mode is meant for high speed dune cruising. Tried AUTO the first time but was hearing a ton of clicking when turning. Did not really hear that in sand mode but when trying to avoid a $3000 recovery I was not doing much experimenting.

I also would love to find a more detailed resource on how each of these modes work and what they were intended for.

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