1958 vs LCLC off-road software (A-TRAC(?) vs MTS)

[n0m@d]

https://youtu.be/mzXoWfNUtrw?t=1245

here Ryan says:

MTS uses wheels breaks to lock individual wheels to help shift power side to side, it is kind of like a virtual locker system. The 1958 Land Cruiser has an older version of it just simply called A-TRAC. You can't really adjust it, but it is very good. This one (his LC FE) has newer MTS (Multi-Terrain Select) which basically takes A-TRAC and adds multiple levels of functionality to it. It is like what if A-TRAC was a sledgehammer while MTS is a scalpel.

I think it is the first time I hear/see/read about how the two compare to each other Before that my naive assumption was that 1958 and LCLC/LCFE have the same software. Here are the only difference I was able to find from the official Toyota site (no mentions of A-TRAC ):
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Specifications | Toyota.com

Has anybody tested 1958/LCLC side by side offroad? Are you aware of any reviews testing this? What the differences (is one is faster than another, quieter, more precise, more reliable, more responsive?) I personally on my LCLC never used any fancy MTS settings, good old Auto was good enough for all the off-roading adventures I had. . . Now, my biggest question is whether MTS auto is any different from 1958's A-TRAC(???)? I'm a bit skeptical that Toyota is using the same software that previous gen of 4runner and other LCs. . .

I was considering to get 1958 or 4Runner SR5 (which seems to have the same software setup as 1958) as a second vehicle, would be interested in digging into more details before dumping a pile of cache on a new ride .

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Differences in controls

 

[RideWithYanu]

1958 doesn’t have MTS, as well as several other off-roading features. See the comparison on the Toyota website for more details.

MTS is awesome if you’re doing actual off-roading.

 

[n0m@d]

I'd be happy to see some videos where MTS Auto fails and MTS <SOME_FANCY_MODE> comes to the rescue and saves the day I've stuck in the snow the other day and I went through all the modes, locked everything, tried crawl mode, dac, low range, no luck. If not traction boards and shovel I'd be in the woods till this very moment

 

[RideWithYanu]

I'd be happy to see some videos where MTS Auto fails and MTS <SOME_FANCY_MODE> comes to the rescue and saves the day I've stuck in the snow the other day and I went through all the modes, locked everything, tried crawl mode, dac, low range, no luck. If not traction boards and shovel I'd be in the woods till this very moment

I didn’t record it of course but I was recently getting constantly stuck on drifts and when I switched to deep snow mode didn’t get stuck again.

 

[ERROR504]

Wonder if a tune will be made to add those software settings to the 1958 editions.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

I have a 1958 model. The geek in me always builds the LC model with all the fancy off-road software. Then I think about how life used to be, when there were no modes, just straight-forward 4WD with a limited-slip rear end if you were lucky. I also think about my F-150 Tremor with all of the various lockers and modes, none of which ever seem exactly right for what I'm doing - except for Slippery & Sport - neither of which are off-road. Bottom line, I think the 1958 version will be just fine. The only thing I'd really, really like is the Front-Sway Bar Disconnect feature for more articulation.

A caveat to all this. I've had the LC for less than a month and have not been able to take it anywhere very serious off-road (someday the snow will melt). I did play with the DAC/CRAWL on a hilly, rutted two-track, and it all worked as advertised. I tried out Low Range. It works. Bottom line, the LC 1958 was able to go up and down that hill without any of the additional features. I may change my mind over the summer, but given how my daughter's FJ Cruiser handled where we go, I think the 1958 model will do just fine.

 

[APIOQM]

All MTS really does is allow a certain amount of wheel spin depending on the terrain selected. With crawl control activated in low-range (required for A-TRAC in either trim), the car is just trying to move the vehicle at the selected speed with as little wheel speed differences as possible. In this instance, I don't think MTS is going to do anything. Outside of crawl control, MTS might be useful for getting our of a mud hole for example by allowing the right amount of wheel spin to shed mud, but I'd personally prefer to control that myself with my right foot.

 

[Yousef]

I believe all you need to do to enable MTS is to install the buttons for MTS equipped car.
This is what I saw in the local Land Cruiser300 groups where they installed the MTS button instead of the ECT 2ND button and it enabled the MTS off road driving moods for lower spec cars.

 

[jbe2289]

I believe all you need to do to enable MTS is to install the buttons for MTS equipped car.
This is what I saw in the local Land Cruiser300 groups where they installed the MTS button instead of the ECT 2ND button and it enabled the MTS off road driving moods for lower spec cars.

I’ve read this too that all of the features on past land cruisers were there, just needed to add the buttons. Not sure if it is the same on the 250.

 

[RideWithYanu]

All MTS really does is allow a certain amount of wheel spin depending on the terrain selected. With crawl control activated in low-range (required for A-TRAC in either trim), the car is just trying to move the vehicle at the selected speed with as little wheel speed differences as possible. In this instance, I don't think MTS is going to do anything. Outside of crawl control, MTS might be useful for getting our of a mud hole for example by allowing the right amount of wheel spin to shed mud, but I'd personally prefer to control that myself with my right foot.

MTS controls wheel spin for each wheel independently, which is what sets it apart. You can’t replicate that with your right foot.

 

[jbe2289]

MTS controls wheel spin for each wheel independently, which is what sets it apart. You can’t replicate that with your right foot.

That’s what A-TRAC does. Just one setting vs differing slip rates with MTS.

 

[RideWithYanu]

That’s what A-TRAC does. Just one setting vs differing slip rates with MTS.

Yes.

 

[Yousef]

The car is already equipped with hardware for the crawl control and traction so adding MTS is most likely only a software addition.

 

[Futha]

I have a 1958 model. The geek in me always builds the LC model with all the fancy off-road software. Then I think about how life used to be, when there were no modes, just straight-forward 4WD with a limited-slip rear end if you were lucky.

I'm on the same page really. Both the performance and off-roading enthusiast communities experience a strange simultaneous mix of wanting to have the most capable vehicle, but also wanting to look like a great driver. I like to think I'm pretty decent at driving my truck, and I want my truck to be capable... but I'm hesitant to accept systems that make me feel like I needed a software gimmick to get me through an obstacle.

If a track-focused sports car added "racing line assist" to help you take the perfect lines on the track... I'd be embarrassed to use it. Not saying anyone should be embarrassed about using MTS, but we're kinda getting there with the gimmicks.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I'm on the same page really. Both the performance and off-roading enthusiast communities experience a strange simultaneous mix of wanting to have the most capable vehicle, but also wanting to look like a great driver. I like to think I'm pretty decent at driving my truck, and I want my truck to be capable... but I'm hesitant to accept systems that make me feel like I needed a software gimmick to get me through an obstacle.

If a track-focused sports car added "racing line assist" to help you take the perfect lines on the track... I'd be embarrassed to use it. Not saying anyone should be embarrassed about using MTS, but we're kinda getting there with the gimmicks.

Hard disagree on the comparison.

A “racing line assist” would be comparable to a “obstacle line assist” functionality for an off-road vehicle. It would be a feature which reduces the need for the driver to use their tool (the vehicle) most effectively. Conversely, things like MTS add abilities to the tool which are simply not possible otherwise, such as control wheel slip at an individual level. Of course this makes the job easier because the tool is more capable, but this is no different than suggesting that 4x4 is a gimmick over 2x4.

 

[JordanJ]

I took my 1958 through a nice muddy rutty section of train and all DAC/crawl did was stop me from shedding mud from my tires. That being said, I was more trying to get stuck to see what she would do, but alas I couldn’t get stuck even when slammed to the axles. It performs very well in just 4low. I’m sure there’s situations where these features will come in handy, but 90% of the time, the lockers will be all you need.

 

[lcq]

I believe all you need to do to enable MTS is to install the buttons for MTS equipped car.
This is what I saw in the local Land Cruiser300 groups where they installed the MTS button instead of the ECT 2ND button and it enabled the MTS off road driving moods for lower spec cars.

Who’s gonna try this? 84012-60B00. $300 for the Mts switch. Kinda want to order it out of curiosity. But sounds too good to be true.

 

[Code54]

Could it be that simple??? That would be great if it works!!

 

[MTR]

$237 on OEM parts if anyone wants to take the plunge . 1958 is listed as one of the applicable trim levels if that means anything.

https://www.oemgenuineparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-multi-switch-8401260b00

 

[RobLS]

If the community wants to chip in I’ll do the take apart on my vehicle