A-TRAC: WHY is it difficult for some people to accept it?

How would a tacoma running A-TRAC compete with a HMMWV for off roading? The Hummers sound like they have a similar traction device.

*I know very little about how the HMMWV's work, and I am not trying to put either vehicle down. I just want see if anyone has any ideas*

 

Hummers have much better ground clearance (use of gear hubs and much less overhang on both ends) and a lockable center differential. In addition to ATRAC type system using breaks, it also has Torsen (torque sensing mechanical limited slip) differentials on each axle. Break traction control compliments the mechanical LSD.

We can argue about HMMWV's vs Tacomas all day but HMMWVs are awhole another class of vehicles. It's like comparing a Mustang to a Formula 1 race car. HMMWV was purpose-built for off road military applications where Tacomas are more for civilians that sometimes hit up trails.

*before replying please note were are talking about HMMWVs and not H2s. We're also talking about capabilities and not reliability.

 

All right, thanks. I'm not trying to argue about these vehicles, just wanted a little info, which you provided.

 

Ha ha its easier, just pitch any ATrack stock vehicle against stock FZJ80 K294 not even the competition.
Heck I doubt humvee would have easy time outrunning that

 

Ha ha I wasn't saying you were. I'm just used to this forum where little comments have spurred up ridiculous arguements that I felt the need to put a disclaimer lol.

 

All right. Yea, I post disclaimers sometimes as well.

 

And I would follow him.
A Trac is incredible .

I have it and use it .

It is the best

 

Translation
I spent more for it so now I feel awkward

 

I've always been a fan of lockers, hence the reason I traded my 2005 DC off-road for a newer 2010 off-road. Last year we got slammed with three blizzard in roughly five weeks. Needless to say, I got a ton of serious driving with my truck in deep snow. At first, I used 4lo locked with moderate success. I still found my truck struggling in certain situations. Decided to try A-trac and was absolutely amazed. Previous spots where the locker struggled, the A-trac shined. It even managed to get me unstuck from a drift or two that I managed to bury myself in. To each his own, but I feel better having a truck with A-trac.

 

And this is what I was talking about - they both seem to shine in different scenarios. I don't mind having BOTH one bit.

 

Why do you have a hard time accepting that not everyone shares your opinion? Including some A-TRAC owners like myself.

 

x2.

I like having A-TRAC, I don't feel the need to measure it against anything.

 

Also FWIW i know someone on the board with both front locker and ATRAC... he thinks ATRAC is Gimmicky and prefers the locker...


Edit: not trying to stir the pot...

 

Here's the thing, you can drive a new, factory stock Tacoma off the dealer lot and take it most anywhere... stock. I have, and do amaze myself at how good a job Toyota has done with the Tacoma.

That is the point, A-TRAC makes your showroom stock Tacoma go to or get out of the places that previously required aftermarket lockers, bigger tires, etc.

This was not about A-TRAC being 'better' than lockers it was wondering why some have a heard time understanding what it is or what it allows your truck to do.

Is the only 'bad' thing the 'jerky-movement'? I don't get that feeling... just the sound it makes... even so, big deal... so it jerks as it bites for traction, and gets you through... Is that the only reason to spend money on an aftermarket front locker, because A-TRAC is 'jerky'???

The 'front lockers are better' group never say a thing about how they have to turn off their lockers to be able to steer a trail. That is the only major thing I see as significant, otherwise I think lockers are great... beyond having to pay for them, of course.

I am just really glad Toyota gave us A-TRAC as an included item with are TRD trucks... wow.

 

I don't either... This thread wasn't about A-TRAC vs. Front lockers. It was about wondering why some have a hard time understanding it (A-TRAC).

Front lockers are awesome... if there was no A-TRAC as standard equipment on my TRD, then I would like to have a front locker.

The truth (not opinion) is A-TRAC gives a 'front locker type' of added traction (and rear locker too) to get you beyond normal 4WD, or out of a stuck... and it is already on the new trucks.

If you spent the big bucks on a front locker already and also have A-TRAC, then you would naturally want to believe your money wasn't wasted and try to justify it... Sure it is smooth, and works... and given A-TRAC makes some knarley noises... you may just avoid using it since you have a front locker, already.

 

You just can't help but be condescending, can you?

The statements like that are what ruin your credibility.
If someone doesn't jump on the A-TRAC wagon with you then they "don't understand" or "naturally want to believe (their) money wasn't wasted and try to justify it."

You seem incapable of admitting that someone who fully understands the issue could possibly have a different opinion than you.

I seem to be incapable of going a day without looking at this thread.

 

I am glad you find this thread interesting to read... and that just means others do to.. so I was successful in how I worded things.

I LOVE different opinions... bring them on! What you seem to want to do is tarnish the good reports of an awesome Toyota product, and I find it interesting that Tacoma owners would do that. ONE MORE TIME: this is an A-TRAC discussion about ACCEPTING IT for what it does/ how it works...

I know someone with both A-TRAC and a front locker, too... Part of my input is based on things I saw or heard when we wheeled together.

Can we just talk about understanding what A-TRAC is between A-TRAC users and those who want to know more, without non-A-TRAC'ers putting it down or feeling the need to push front lockers (which isn't a Toyota option).

Really I am trying to keep this positive... and I am sorry if I worded things that offended you 'front locker' folks... Peace, okay?

 

The very thread title you started states you wished otherwise, this thread has turned out exactly as it should have been expected...

 

So today I was crossing a sandy / slimy creek, and got stuck when I lifted at the sight of a large rock, I had forgotten that I had turned ATRAC off the previous day while rock crawling. Anyhow, turned on ATRAC, noisy and bouncy (bouncing because the deep sand, and aired up tires, not ATRAC) , and making very slow progress. I locked the rear diff, that smoothed thing out enough to allow me to give it some more throttle. One front tire had decent traction, and as much as ATRAC is not smooth, it transfered torque to the one tire with traction, and pulled me out after 3 or 4 attempts. The rear was spinning in slime, and without something to re-direct the torque on the front end, I was stuck. I think that is the whole point.
So to mr "I have a front locker..." , well, I have a front diff with warranty. And it just so happens that ATRAC is in addition to what the OR package used to consist of. No negative there........
Funny how the guys that love ATRAC, are the ones who constantly have new off roading stories, week after week. And the cons, just show up to argue......Hmmm
There are no negatives to ATRAC that don't outweigh the positives, it comes with the truck, and you can shut if off, which effectively means, if you find some aspect of it that bothers you, the point is moot, shut it off.

 

so when you say "why is it people cant accept it? and people give you their answers you condescend them and they "don't understand"

i didnt see any post saying bahh toyota is stupid for installing atrac. or man atrac sucks. so if one person says, seems a little jerky, "gahhhh get him he hates atrac... "

people stated how they thought other options may be superior, since they dont have atrac... they must be atrac haters too...


so the true cause of thread derailing was
1. one persone saying he thinks lockers are smoother than atrac
2. then another person pointing out every little thing lockers cant do
3. then one person pointing out the atrac is jerky...
4. now everyone without ATRAC hates ATRAC...WTF?!?!?!
5. and everyone without atrac now doesnt wheel either...


Under this logic, (so because someone with atrac pointed out that lockers cant turn or can cause driveline failure. You must all not understand lockers and you all must hate lockers.)