Buying a Tacoma - off road advice

Yeah I was just curious. If money isnt a issue i would go with the locking rear diff and color match what i wanted to later.

 

Thanks everyone for your help. Most appreciated. Another question that is not entirely on the thread's topic. Does Toyota not give you the option of having the off road package with the Entune premium w/navigation? I am in the Atlanta area and I can't find any of those. I can find plenty with TRD Sport with Entune premium navigation. Curious....

 

Mine is a OR with every option available.

Entune with Nav/JBL










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Nope... They had 2 on the lot that were identical.

 

ahahahhhhhahaahahahhhhhhahahahahahahhaaaaaahahahahahah

 

What exactly is ATRAC?

Also, is the rear locker (TRD Offroad, 2010) engable in 2wd or 4high?

 

ATRAC is basically a computer program that, using brakes, can almost lock your front end.

It is if you do the grey wire mod (i think)

 

OP you should test drive both the off road and sport edition. Also you may want to drive an SR5 as well just in case you want to build an off road capable truck from the ground up.

 

Hey just wanted to point out, your sig is inaccurate.

"Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God" is correct.

 

Thanks I'll fix it now.

 

Just found the thread about all that, thanks. I cant imagine a time I would need 4lo with ATRAC on.

Also re: rear locker, if I push the button while in 2high the light comes on but it is not engaged?

 

If you are a 4x4 i believe you have to be in 4 LO to engage the locker
However, if you are a pre runner the diff lock will engage whenever you press the button.

 

Im TRD Offroad.

What would be a good way to test if the locker engages in 2wd, maybe a burnout on pavement?

 

Find a dirt lot, engage, then try to turn, if you hear one of your rear tires skidding across the dirt you're locked.
Just make sure the locker is disengaged while you are on pavement.

 

4WD Off Roads the locker only works in L4 (Low Range).
2WD Off Roads the locker works in H2 (as that is all you got).

A-TRAC works on all four tires, not just the front (unless you use the locker).

 

The light blinks if you push the button, but only goes solid when engaged.

I can't imagine a time when I would use low range without the A-TRAC on!

No A-TRAC in L4 would make H4 have more traction with TRAC/ TRAC OFF working all four tires.

In L4 without A-TRAC on, you will have just one tire in front and one in the rear spinning if you get into slippery stuff.. and they would be the tires with the least traction. A-TRAC matches tire rotation so the loose tire will not spin without the other tire on the axle doing the same, like lockers do to get you unstuck or through a situation.

4WD OFF ROAD TRD, money goes to additional traction systems (A-TRAC and locker)
4WD SPORT TRD, money goes into appearance items, as it has the same traction as the other non-Off Road models (Trac, Auto LSD, Trac Off).

 

Thank you for the breakdown.

What I meant was more of I dont see myself using L4 period, but if I ever need it, I will make sure to use ATRAC as well.

L4 with locker means fully locked rear diff and up front would be power to the loose wheel?

 

L4 with locker and A-TRAC OFF means both rear tires with equal power and one tire in the front with the least traction getting the power (spin).

L4 with locker and A-TRAC on means both rear tires and both front tires with equal power. The fronts will only remain 'locked' as long as it is needed to balance tire rotation. It will not stay locked (like a locker) so you can navigate (steer) easily.

A-TRAC senses the need to lock rather than remain locked, making the truck easy to navigate twisting trails... Because of this clever computer sensor, there is some hesitation, noise, need to heavy pedal it to climb up rocks, cliffs, etc..

Lockers just turns both tires with no sensor intelligence involved. You will need to unlock to steer easily using lockers. Those who pay the big bucks for front and rear lockers naturally think their's is better... and in a way, theirs are IF all you need is pure 4WD to climb boulders or bogs.

A-TRAC is provided on our Off Road 4WD Tacomas at no aftermarket price to an already expensive pickup. Since I had two older Tacomas with the locker before A-TRAC, I can tell you there is a BIG difference in what the A-TRAC can do and the peace of mind it can offer, because it really does work... Just not as smooth, fast, or quietly as lockers... but I have no steering issues with it, compared to lockers.

A situation where I was climbing a steep grade with deep washouts and I slid into deep ruts so that both rear tires were not touching the ground... and only one of the front tires had good contact... the A-TRAC pulled the truck off the high center, uphill... Just one front tire doing most of the work. Without A-TRAC, the loose front tire would be spinning (open differential).

Even the weaker TRAC is an improvement for the non Off Road Tacomas (4 Low Trac Mod). A-TRAC really impresses!

 

Thanks everyone. I am intrigued by the SR5 route. If I were to get that, what minimum mods would I have to do to make it more off road? I do a lot of hiking and find myself on dirt roads with a lot with creek fords, etc. I am assuming I would need to add a rear locking differential, maybe new tires, etc but what else would you recommend? Much appreciated!