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

Why pick on a dog Christian?

 

I almost want to respond to this, but what's the fucking point?

I would agree. If you have questions, I am happy to receive your PM

FWIW: David K and I have discussed things over PM before. I can tell you he's no less of a brick wall there than in public postings.

 

David, the part in the bold is absolutely false. Maybe you have never been outside your truck while atrac is doing its thing, but there is definitely slip

 

you have a warped reality of what a difficult trial is. get off the bottle and sober up!

 

When A-TRAC is 'active' to control traction, brake force equal to traction on the other side of the axle is applied to prevent a spin, and equalize torque across the axle (ie. both tires rotate at the same speed). Since the system periodically frees to allow steering and perhaps to 'see' if further braking of one tire is needed, you will get periodic, brief tire spin?

So, when the A-TRAC button is pushed on, the A-TRAC only brakes a loose tire when the tire spins at a rate greater than the other on the axle... not locked all the time it is on, as with a locker.

So A-TRAC monitors tire rotation and only brakes a tire when the spin rate is great enough to determine that tire has lost traction... and brakes not to stop the tire, but so it and its 'twin' turn at the same rate and share the torque 50/50.

This gets you moving, and is why you see some spinning between the A-TRAC being active.

 

In fact, if you need front and rear lockers to do what I do with A-TRAC, you should four wheel with some of the guys here in San Diego who take their 2WD Tacos to some amazing places you would call moderate to difficult.

 

I didn't need a lesson in atrac, it doesn't take a mech engineer to know how the system works. You said "no slip" when there is indeed slip. I would simply like that you not spout stuff that is not true

 

thats a great idea!! just pick a time and place. in fact David, i have already suggested a few times in the past that we find a place to challenge our different types of traction control. but you have quietly refused on every occasion. you should come up here and see what the local guys can do with their 2wd taco's. because i have been on the a few runs with them a few times, they can get it done.

the fact that you seem to think the only thing getting someone on a harder trail is better traction options shows how much of an inexperienced "wheeler" you really are.

Have a great evening!

 

Not often do I get to see my truck in a video using A-TRAC, but here is one when I pulled a 2WD Taco, stuck in a sand dune, then up the Diablo Dropoff in Anza-Borrego:


http://youtu.be/9m1u1pba4Ps




The year before, out with same group east of San Diego, just Doug '4WD' and I each climbed up 'One Tri Hill', A-TRAC only... this where I came to a stop as the steepness and loss of traction halted the truck... and i mashed the gas pedal to 'wake-up' the A-TRAC... and the truck turned into a tank and continued on to the top.

http://youtu.be/CG3KhKR0NJk

 

I like my Tacoma just as it came from the factory... it is by far the most capable small truck made. I have gone on runs a few times and it was never any secret... where were you? Only HB Murphy took my invitation here in 2010 to do the Mission Santa Maria run in Baja, May, 2010... The 6 vehicles on that run were all amazing, and it was that trip I could get a real grasp on how much better the A-TRAC was over the others with front & rear lockers. Oh sure we all went the same places, but I drove with ease using only A-TRAC and the locker users had to continually turn on and off their ARBs to make the tight turns on this Rubicon-like Baja road. So, with A-TRAC I went the same places as the ARB locked rigs, only easier.

Nothing wrong with either, they are just different... and lockers cost $$$$, A-TRAC was included on my truck. This thread is about A-TRAC and the other stock Toyota installed traction systems.

As for going out four wheeling... it is a favorite, fun thing to do, with other nice people or alone... No arguing, just fun... ask the others I have wheeled with. When you can stop contesting my findings in my thread just to make fun or argue against me, maybe you will be up to joining us in Baja or San Diego?

 

David you crack me up

 

how hard can it be to de-press ONE button to disengage an ARB air locker?

 

must be why a have a callous on my finger tip

but hey, at least my palm isn't all calloused up like yours hahahhahaahhahaha

 

what are all these buttons you speak of. I have a shifter to put me in 4h 4l and a button for my locker. my dick is also huge

 

I didn't really mean to start a brawl or dick measuring contest. I like the A-TRAC because it does brake/throttle modulation better and faster than I can, because it only applies the brake to the wheel needing it without bogging down the others. David I'm not just talking about loose/steep terrain, but the really uneven, undulating stuff. A-TRAC isn't going to save my oil pan or rocker panels, and I haven't had it long enough to be willing to bang it up that much. Also, I still have a hard time explaining to my wife why my $30K truck isn't just for driving to work, and that a few dings are actually credentials. I do think with some skid plates and better bumpers it could take on much more difficult stuff.

 

Nobody needs to talk smack about others, anytime. The thread is to HELP those with an OFF ROAD 4WD TRD or those who might want one. The rest of you who jump in arguing when you don't even own an A-TRAC equipped Toyota only have sour grapes.

On a run, I just go along to have fun with others and maybe help pull someone up a hill... because my Tacoma can. Anybody that has been on a run with me have anything different to say, now's your time. The rest, either enjoy, add something helpful, ask a question... but just don't call me a liar or any other BS. It isn't in my nature, I grew up a long time ago.

 

Well I don't have ATRAC. I've got lockers front and rear. But I wish mine did come with the ATRAC as it would have saved me a ton of money. I've witnessed what an ATRAC equipped truck can do on some fairly difficult trails (maybe easy trails to some). Impressive to say the least. I'm sure there are some that wheel it harder and may not get the same results. Then there are some that will jump on the bandwagon beat down with no actual experience or witnessing of their own.