4x4 performance reduced message after time in the sand

[vrtical]

Status update, I believe the first response mentioning the T Case getting too hot was the issue. I let the truck sit for a few hours when I got back to camp and when I hopped in to move it the message was gone, so all seems to be well and working after driving home and spraying down the undercarriage to be sure, can swap between 2 and 4 wheel and GOAT modes no issues

T-case and steering rack (motor) have monitoring sensors for overheating which causes things to shut down.

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[crenca]

They can be gimmicky, but maybe they can do some useful stuff too.

Yea, they are obviously a "marketing strategy" that has the usual gimmicky vibes, but as you say they can be useful and adjust some things you can't do directly.

Just 2 weekends ago my wife and older daughter (daughter just turned 16 and is still getting her supervised hours under her belt) drive our 2012 RWD Tundra out to the soccer fields to watch our younger daughter play and she decides to drive right into some deepish sand. My wife calls me and I coach her over the phone, getting her to long press the traction control which turns on Toyota's "auto" ELSD, not dig in, etc. I ended up still having to go over there myself and let the tires down to < 20psi and drive it out.

However if it had been the Bronco (or a Bsport or Explorer or...) I could have said "What are you stuck in honey?? Sand?!! Put it in "Sand" mode honey!!!"

A few months back a guy shows up out our local 4x4 club Saturday trail run and admits he has never been off roading before. He's in a GMC midsized pickup something and I overhear another club member is explaining what mode to put it in, which was obviously easier then explaining "this is a locker, this is a...." I was behind him on the trail and he could not pick a line or throttle modulate but his 4wd and locker(s) were pulling him through.

 

[Hemisfear]

Your central point about verifying any info/advice is very true.

That said I find the "signal to noise" ratio here pretty good for a forum. Certainly better then "social media" sites such as Facebook and Reddit and other forums I have been a part of. Stuff that is just flat out wrong (like the post about GOAT modes being a "gimmick") is corrected fairly quickly here, at least in the subjects I pay attention to...

Your goals are too low, but I agree with your assessment of FB, Reddit, et all, but there is certainly a great deal of BS here!
You still have to do your due diligence, it's not like there are a lot of experts, just lots of opinions!

 

[SmallCrawler]

I have been fortunate to own and drive different 4x4s in/on the sand, including FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Wrangler, F150 Raptor, and Bronco. For me, I have found it best to just choose 4 hi or low and turn the computer nannies all the way off. Your wheels are going to slip and spin in the sand, so let them do it without a computer trying to limit or stop them.

Now and then I needed to use my rear locker in the Raptor in deep sand due it's light rear end. The only warning lights I've ever had were those times I forgot to turn my traction control off.

And if you don't already own one, get yourself a portable air compressor so you can air down and back up any time, anywhere.

EDIT: Should also add that it helps to carry a shovel, recovery boards, recovery rope, and soft shackles. With luck and good judgement, you'll never need them, but it just becomes routine any time you head out for some wheeling.

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