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

ok, so you're already thinking about swapping axles.

its not as simple as just unbolt the old one and bolt the new one up. you gotta do fab work.

might as well get a Toy and put a SFA under it. A little bit more work, but a lot more reliable.

 

Disclaimer: The following is based on technical information I have read and have not yet personally experienced.

I will just take this opportunity to point out that Sports do not have ATRAC, and TRAC is apparently not the same functionality.

The difference is apparently due to the hydraulic brake booster in the TRD OR 09+ 2nd gens that is not present in any other Tacoma variant. It is capable of applying much higher braking forces than the vacuum booster present in Sports. Supposedly, this is what allows the wheels to be independently stopped at all four corners as needed.

That said, I haven't tested the system myself yet, so I'm with-holding judgment. Having a truck with both A-TRAC and a rear locker will make comparison relatively easy, aside from having to run a trail twice to test the differences.

Stay tuned...

 

if you were buying new, and wanted a factory vehicle thats great offroad, i wouldn't hesitate to go with a JK rubi


But, for me, I already own something that has a lot of potential with a bit of money dumped into it. Much less than selling mine and buying a JK rubi.

 

The green one I'm talking about is Hodgies 09/10, which I'm pretty sure he said had ATRAC.

 

Also, what happens whenever you're on a trail that requires ATRAC at all times, and it suddenly disappears?

Just sit there and hold up the group?

 

It doesn't. Sports are incapable of having A-TRAC. The parts are not there. In 4hi Hodge has TRAC from factory. He can mod TRAC into 4Lo, but A-TRAC is not possible without replacing the brake booster (and potentially other electronics...I just know the brake booster is a major difference).

The difference in print between TRAC and A-TRAC is small, but apparently the A makes a big difference in practice. Or so I've heard. The lift goes on this weekend, tires shortly after that, and before the end of November I should be able to get on some shit that, if not requiring a locker, is much easier with one. That'll let me put this stuff to the test and form my own opinion. I'll certainly share my findings at that time.

Until then, I have an open mind. I will say this: There are several people on here who beat their trucks fairly well (David K, Hemi especially) and report A-TRAC getting over things that previously took lockers or a strap. For this reason, I'm cautiously optimistic.

And, though they haven't been very diplomatic pointing it out, it is worth noting that those who have posted to this thread and own/drive a truck with both A-TRAC and lockers have only good things to say about A-TRAC. Regardless of how the system compares to lockers, I think it adds another dimension to the new TRD ORs that increases the value of the package an appreciable amount.

Lock the rear

To play devil's advocate, one could argue that a diff failure is far more traumatic than brakes overheating, in pure terms of holding up the line.

I look at it this way: I'm gonna run 4Lo + A-TRAC when I need 4Lo and leave the locker alone until it's needed. I have no doubt whatsoever that i'll have an easier time using that method than people with 4Lo open diffs or 4Lo + LSD rear, all other things being equal.

 

Thats exactly what I'd do.

I was about to buy a XJ for a trail rig, but that + trailer is right around 5k, so I wouldnt be able to tow it with my tacoma.


Yeah, but nothing actually broke, so you know you're gonna be pushed to keep going until something actually does break

 

OR MAYBE USE THE LOCKER THAT HAPPENS TO BE FACTORY INSTALLED IN YOUR VEHICLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF NAVIGATING DIFFICULT TERRAIN. MAYBE. POTENTIALLY. POSSIBLY. KINDA.

I'm just sayin. You could.

 

lockers r dum

 

Then yes, in that amazingly specific circumstance, there may be a delay while waiting for the brake system to cool. Now would be a good time for anyone who needs to pee to do so. Perhaps eat a sandwich.

Nitpicking these what ifs is interesting theory, but that's about all it is. You can create a bad situation for any configuration. What if a double locked vehicle gets high-centered on a berm and none of the wheels are on the ground? What if the Rapture commences and suddenly your vehicle is driverless?

Point being, a single locker still adds a lot of capability. I look at the OR package as an arsenal, and A-TRAC only makes it bigger. How it compares to lockers isn't terribly important to me because:

- I have a locker.
- It only ADDS to the capabilities of the truck without subtracting anything.

I fail to see any negatives to its presence.

 

I would largely agree, although I think you could make a case for A-TRAC superiority in areas where high-traction AND precise maneuvering are needed simultaneously. I would say NEITHER option is useless, and both have the times where they shine.

For the majority of applications, lockers are proven and will continue to be the gold stick as the most effective traction aid this side of the winch.

 

A fine choice, but unfortunately I do not have immediate access to a picture of one captioned with internet-retarded terms, so it loses.

Edit: Also, I think you're about the only person on this site that I've met from California that isn't a Bro or a retard. Thanks for that.

No offense to the retarded Bros on here.

 

I have had A-TRAC on for hours... it never 'over-heated the brakes'... of course do understand that the A-TRAC is a 'smart-locker' in that it locks (brakes) the free wheel only when it rotation speeds are different. Also, as pointed out already... the Off Road still has the locking rear differential if you are concerned about the brakes (A-TRAC) giving up.

You seriously need to believe that Toyota has given us technology that works... and works well!

 

YUP! X2...

See our Mision Santa Maria trip photos (mine and HB Murphy's) from last May. This is one of the premier 4WD runs in Baja and has always been recommended for high ground clearance with 4WD-LOW and locking rear differential (or traction control). It is 15 miles that takes 3 hours or more to cover... and is the closest thing to the Rubicon that Baja has.

I have driven in 4 times now, on a quad, in my '01, in my '05, and in my '10. The '01 and '05 had the locker... but my '10 did it all with A-TRAC and never touched the locker... and the conditions were far worse than before!

A-TRAC delivers the traction of front and rear lockers, but provides the ease of steering of open differentials... what could be better... and to have it from the factory at no extra cost on the Off Road TRD...?

 

You see difference is I own a true trail rig in addition to 2gen pickup (2 trucks).
Also what some people call OFFROAD I do everytime I have to pickup my mail
By my counts OF has one locker less then me. Not counting center diff locker That would make 2 less.

 

The more some of these people argue "in theory", the more obvious it is how little wheeling they've done and how little they know.

I beat the living piss out of my Tacoma on terrain suitable for buggies (see my pictures), and the ATRAC most definitely makes a difference. ATRAC is amazing. I've owned various vehicles in the past that are numerous combinations of open axled, locked, and now ATRAC'd and locked. Is a locker better for raw traction? Yes, but not by much. There are pros and cons to both so depending on ones needs, in some cases ATRAC is better. What raw traction advantage a locker would give me is basically limited by ground clearance restrictions and tire size restrictions of the Tacoma anyway. In other words, its never going to be a buggy with 1-ton locked axles, 8:1 crawl ratios, 40" tires, 4-link suspension, an LS3 motor, and a GVW of 2500 lbs.

Some of you seem to be arguing apples and oranges. For a daily driver truck that also off roads, the Tacoma can not be beat. If you are speaking of a vehicle purely for off roading, a Tacoma can easily be beat by any number of Jeeps or buggies.

Our trucks are not ultimately limited by traction. They are limited by approach, break over, and departure angles in addition to maximum tire size restrictions. Anybody who really wheels these things knows that. The times I didn't have the traction to get up something are greatly out numbered by the times I didn't have the clearance to get up something. Who cares if you have enough traction to get up this hill because you're going to rip your door and two bumpers off in the process.

 

Ill stick to my ARB in the front and E-Locked (Grey Wire mod) Rear. If I need to turn, ill just hit the switch. I didnt want to mess with computer controlled wheelspin. I wanted to make sure it was locked when I needed, and unlocked when I dont.


Just my .02

 

VERY VERY WELL SAID!

 

Your info says you have an '07. A-TRAC didn't come on Tacomas until '09. Obviously, you can't accept A-TRAC because you don't have it or have not used it. Your only option to have the kind of traction we have is to add a front locker... or buy an A-TRAC Tacoma.

By-the-way, the computer 'monitors' wheelspin and applies the brakes when the difference in rotation indicates it has lost traction which makes the other tire get torque (keeps you moving). The rest of the time it doesn't interfere at all with driving... smart or automatic lockers... no need to continually turn on or off. It is standard equipment on an Off Road TRD 4WD.

The only people against or having a heard time accepting A-TRAC are those that DON'T HAVE IT! Trust the dozens of Tacoma drivers who do have it... they are the only ones qualified to tell others how it works for them.

If you want to learn how to be rich, do you get advice from a poor bum or a rich person?

 

not saying the ifs is going to get you stuck. it is just a weakness of the truck.

Can you say that sfa wont be better offroad?

whats more comfortable. locker on sfa or locker on ifs and pray your cv's can handle it.

also not having to worry about cv's for travel would be nice. some of the rocks out here are pretty nasty. how many ifs trucks do you see doing king of the hammers? no im not a racer but i like similar terrain. i would like the articulation of sfa and peice of mind that the cv's arent going to die. with better articulation it minimizes the need for atrac or front lockers. a tall 85 yoda with flexy springs and open diffs can go many places a fully locked ifs truck can do