A-TRAC - Is It Worth It? 2014 Sport or Offroad?

It was pretty easy to convince them...I just mentioned that everyone want bigger rims and hood scoops, so they could probably sell them as extras on whatever truck got them lol

 

Friend of mine had that done as a condition of purchase

 

Well apparently I was wrong. You can't get a DCLB with a stick in any trim. Makes the decision a bit easier...maybe

 

Yup, limited to DCSB... made my decision between LB and SB much easier (I want a stick).

 

My take on A-trac

A-trac will work fairly well on certain dry conditions, where it works best is icy, muddy and sandy roads. I have played with all 3 options. Atrac in 4lo, Atrac 4lo and rear locker and Front and rear locker in 4lo. I find that only the wet slippery cases are really where Atrac helps. It does work ok in sand as well. Ultimately the addition of the front locker made the biggest difference in Off-roading.

I do use Atrac from time to time as a first step when more traction is needed before going full lock. Would I purchase another Tacoma with Atrac again? yes.

 

Will ATRAC even do anything with the front and rear locked? I would think it would just be fighting the locked diff.

 

Hey JMG,

I decided that I should go DCSB OffRoad. I love the scoop and didn't even know it was possible to get one from the factory - that's good to know.

After making my decision on which truck to buy, I got caught up in endless threads on this forum regarding all of the issues with driveline vibrations. Needless to say, those threads have temporarily encouraged me to put my purchase on hold for now. I want to wait it out a bit and see if Toyota solves this issue.

For now, my partial plan is to wait out 2014 until they release the 2015's and see if they do a redesign and / or new engines that have better fuel efficiency. At that point - If the new Tacomas are hideous, I will probably exercise 1 of 4 options:

1: Buy a 2014 DCSB Offroad
2: Buy a 2014 / 2015 4Runner TE with ATRAC / Locker
3. Keep saving money and probably just pay my Tacoma off and wait until I have enough money + my Trade to get out the door with no payment on a 4Runner - That is - ONLY if they totally screw up the Tacoma.
4. If there is a new Tacoma redesign with better engines that ROCKS, I will wait 2 years or so and buy a new DCSB Offroad [with Hoodscoop - ]

Yes, I've been pondering the hell out of this.

 

The way I understand it is ATRAC acts as a front locker by utilizing computer controlled braking instead of a mechanism.

I watched a 4Runner video on the Toyota website yesterday and this dude is slamming down with the rear locker on and he kicks in ATRAC - It was pretty wicked.

Haha - Your new 4Runner Rocks by the way - I saw yours and started checking them out online.

 

You can't get an Offroad with a scoop " from the factory "

 

Yeah, that's why I don't understand why someone would activate ATRAC with the front and rear diffs locked. Unless I read his post wrong...
And thanks, we already got the runner tinted and are looking at wheel/tire options. Stock wheels are only 7" wide, so might get some FN BFDs to match my konigs
The 4runner has ATRAC too

 

Ah. I guess turning it off is considered an ATRAC option

 

I think they should have too and kept the braking system consistent. Only the Tacoma TRD OR version came with the hydraulic assisted braking system vs vacuum assisted on the sport and SR5's.

 

Yeah I misread his post - I thought he was saying something else. Yeah that's where I saw your 4runner - on the Konig thread.

That ATRAC and Rear Locker are a sweet set up on that 4runner. I think that is the only other vehicle I would be willing to own besides a Tacoma...

 

...And that is what you call paralysis by analysis. Welcome to the club. <--- which is to say, I suffer from this in many aspects

I think you should get the skewp. I heard it smooths out the driveline vibrations. It works for me.

 

Ahhh yes - Tis a dreaded disease it is. . .And I'm still not entirely sure I won't get a Sport

Damn it. There I go again.

 

Got my new truck! Bought it on June 19. Thanks to everyone on this thread that helped me figure things out. Took a while but I got what I wanted.

Thanks Guys!

 

Sweet! Congrats dude!

 

Sweet Truck!