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A-TRAC/TRAC/AUTO LSD Explained (Easy to understand, I hope!)

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by David K, Jan 19, 2010.

  1. Aug 23, 2012 at 10:38 AM
    #801
    Brandon H

    Brandon H Well-Known Member

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    For your information, I also have a 2007 Fj cruiser with rear locker and A-Trac. and yes, it sucks. No sour grapes here. I have experienced both vehicles. Have you ever driven a tacoma, or ANY vehicle with a front locker? I didnt think so
     
  2. Aug 23, 2012 at 10:52 AM
    #802
    GP3

    GP3 Well-Known Member

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  3. Aug 23, 2012 at 10:55 AM
    #803
    jake72

    jake72 Well-Known Member

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    wish my 2012 sport had the A-TRAC, thats one of the best setups out there. lockers would be nice but not needed for the average driver.
     
  4. Aug 23, 2012 at 10:56 AM
    #804
    GP3

    GP3 Well-Known Member

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    /thread
     
  5. Aug 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM
    #805
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    I've done clawhammer 3 times in my taco and to had to winch myself only once on that trail. I also winched and strapped by buddies SAS'd crawler 3 separate times in one day because he was lacking proper articualtaion because his crawler is not setup with a highsteer conversion. He's also locked front/rear and sporting a LS1. I have also posted pictures of me on clawhammer in the past with the taco.
     
  6. Aug 23, 2012 at 11:37 AM
    #806
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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  7. Aug 23, 2012 at 11:44 AM
    #807
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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  8. Aug 23, 2012 at 12:15 PM
    #808
    Brandon H

    Brandon H Well-Known Member

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    I agree!!!! OMG i just read the whole thing and I was in tears by the end of it!!!!!! :D
     
  9. Aug 23, 2012 at 12:25 PM
    #809
    Brandon H

    Brandon H Well-Known Member

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    You made my day Christian!!!!
     
  10. Aug 23, 2012 at 12:26 PM
    #810
    GP3

    GP3 Well-Known Member

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    Blue T did a good job straightening out the misinformation (ATRAC/VSC/YADAYADA hydraulic brake boosters were available 2005-2008).
     
  11. Aug 23, 2012 at 2:54 PM
    #811
    David K

    David K [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It was the others on that run with Front Lockers who commented on the A-TRAC after that run saying (this was Art specifically). In his opinion ( a genius engineer) A-TRAC was BETTER than lockers... On that run Paul Murphy was not using his A-TRAC, just lockers, due to some electrical issue with his customized set-up. I know he prefers his $$$ added front locker over the $0 stock A-TRAC (as I would too for many situations).

    For the hundredth time: THIS THREAD IS TO EXPLAIN THE STOCK TACOMA TRACTION SYSTEMS and NOT about if AFTERMARKET add-ons are better.

    There is a silent majority who have experienced their stock Tacoma doing amazing things thanks to the traction devices. A few loud ones of you who continue to make fun of what you either don't have, or have added a front locker at the cost of thousands of dollars, should realize this thread wasn't made with you in mind...

    It was made for those who want more information than the Toyota web site or owner's manual gives and for those considering an Off Road TRD 4WD for their next vehicle. I have received dozens of thank yous and reps for this information... and while it is being repeated for those who don't get it or want to make up lies about it, I don't mind... I believe in the truth and that the truth will set you free.

    Some Truth:

    The A-TRAC places this truck in a level ABOVE any other STOCK truck without it.

    The ONLY way to get MORE traction is with a front locker added, NOT available from your Toyota dealer. We have seen videos where A-TRAC has taken Toyotas to the SAME places as those with front lockers... perhaps not as fast, or with some slipping and noise, but still gets you there.

    Factory Stock Tacomas with A-TRAC can outperform any Factory Stock Tacomas without it. There is no question on this. A-TRAC balances power to both tires on the same axle, as does a locker. The A-TRAC uses brakes to stop the spin of a tire with less traction so the power needed to move will go to the tire with traction. Lockers do this with gears inside the differential. When spin is needed, as in some snow situations, do not use A-TRAC or lockers.

    Toyotas without a locker or A-TRAC will have the one tire spin, and the other on that axle do nothing... This is typical open differential action and why 4WD is better than 2WD as it doubles the axles that will get power... However, you can still be in a condition being stuck in 4WD if one tire in the back and one in the front are both in the air, on softer ground, on ice or mud. A-TRAC or lockers puts the other two tires to work, to pull you ahead.

    Again, no front lockers from Toyota, so A-TRAC is indisputably the superior traction choice.
     
  12. Aug 23, 2012 at 3:03 PM
    #812
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    You were doing great with that david k untill the very last sentence lol... I also like how you added "$$$"to ever sensualize the cost of added lockers. It has been posted before that adding ARB lockers to a base sr5 will be cheaper than buying a off road model with atrac and rear factory locker.

    Have a great evening!
    :oldglory:
     
  13. Aug 23, 2012 at 3:33 PM
    #813
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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  14. Aug 23, 2012 at 3:37 PM
    #814
    rsbmg

    rsbmg Well-Known Member

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    According to that link ATRAC has already made claw hammer. I guess we need to find a new trail. Man it seems like the choices of trails to tough for ATRAC is pretty small But I should still spend a few grand getting that front locker so I will be able to cruise right up the 3 trails in the U.S. where I would need it. Or just not go on them because I could care less :notsure: Maybe with mod approval now would be a good time to submit photos of our penises that should about finish this thread off. I had no idea such hardcore rock crawlers in new tacomas even existed. Boy have I been shown a thing or two.
     
  15. Aug 23, 2012 at 3:41 PM
    #815
    Brandon H

    Brandon H Well-Known Member

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    Wow, David...... U mad bro???

    What Tom said..... U were doing pretty good with that copy and paste until your very last sentenance. A-Trac will NEVER any where near as close to traction as a front locker. Once again, I also have an A-Trac equiped Fj cruiser (with rear locker) also. and I know its limitations. You dont have anything else to base your "facts" on, because you have never had a vehicle with a front locker. Every other person in here that knows better, knows A-Trac is better than nothing, but in no way will come close to a front locker. And you wasted your money with the off road package when you could've owned a base SR5 and added a front locker for the same (or cheaper) than the off-road package. So dont even try and put A-Trac in the same catagory as a front locker, because its not. I would know. I have both ;)
     
  16. Aug 23, 2012 at 3:44 PM
    #816
    Brandon H

    Brandon H Well-Known Member

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    They had to be winched up to make it. THey sat there and spun the loose tire and you could hear the A-Trac pump whining in the background. You gotta make it unassisted pal. If i had a open/open rig and as long as I had a winch, I could make it too :rolleyes:
     
  17. Aug 23, 2012 at 3:44 PM
    #817
    Badger12

    Badger12 Member

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    David K, Thanks for the thread, very informative and needed.
     
  18. Aug 23, 2012 at 4:10 PM
    #818
    MonkeyProof

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    Too bad some of those FJ owners tried to sue allpro for incurred damages gained while trying to attempt the "challenge" lol. :rolleyes:
     
  19. Aug 23, 2012 at 4:22 PM
    #819
    MonkeyProof

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    :popcorn:

    I got to the point where eventually I couldn't go everywhere in my taco that I wanted to go ,even after spending "thousands of dollars"... so I spent thousands of dollars more to buy a crawler. And thousands more in mods to make the crawler even more capable .then the crawler evolved to the point of not being street legal so I had to spend thousands more for a trailer. It never ends lol
     
  20. Aug 23, 2012 at 4:43 PM
    #820
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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