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

David K · Aug 31, 2012

Thank you Paul! Great to have you here, indeed.

Yes, mud tires are grave diggers in the sand! The best sand tires have little to no tread... and deflating is what you do if the tires spin. I don't use low range in sand, so no A-TRAC either. However, high range with TRAC works great for normal sand driving.

I found that in snow, the A-TRAC with rear locker together was a nice choice so the electronic locking only happened under 3 mph, ie. when you are about to be stuck... and of course, having the 'electronic locker' (A-TRAC) on the front with the regular differential locker on the back meant you just don't get stuck. The video of me pulling James up the Diablo Dropoff was also A-TRAC + locker. The truck is like a tank with A-TRAC, and I don't mind the noise or slip because the truck still gets to where I want to go, without the added costs of adding a front locker.

I did the entire Mision Santa Maria run with only A-TRAC and no rear locker, as a test... and it passed with flying colors.

Thanks again for joining the discussion!

* On your follow up: I have told those here who have not had success with A-TRAC or even show a video saying it is A-TRAC failing, that they need to put their foot into it and not 'give up'. I mean floor the pedal, when your truck stops on a climb... That 'wakes-up' the A-TRAC and it will climb! The video of me climbing 'One Tri Hill' is an example of that...

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

This is Crazy!!! Its been over 5 hours since David posted and nobody has posted lockers are better!

What's going on here?! Hold on....

Nope no pigs flying
Hell is still hot
Fat lady is quiet

Hmmmmm You guys are letting me down. Your going to let David get away with all this crazy talk of ATRAC being better than open differentials!

Sad Sad day indeed...............

David K · Aug 31, 2012

LOL!

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

Yes! Balance has been restored......................

Brandon H · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg said: ↑

Hmmmmm You guys are letting me down. Your going to let David get away with all this crazy talk of ATRAC being better than open differentials!

Sad Sad day indeed...............
Click to expand...

Thats about the only thing its better than. Better than nothing I guess

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

Brandon H said: ↑

Better than nothing I guess
Click to expand...

Holy shit! David get in here!!!!

Brandon is on your side now! I think we have a changing of attitudes on our hands, it only took 1069 posts but I think people are coming around to what your point was in the first place.

Who says democracy doesn't work!

Now if we can get liberals and conservatives to play nice. Baby steps, but you saw it first here folks!

Brandon H · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg said: ↑

Holy shit! David get in here!!!!

Brandon is on your side now! I think we have a changing of attitudes on our hands, it only took 1069 posts but I think people are coming around to what your point was in the first place.

Who says democracy doesn't work!

Now if we can get liberals and conservatives to play nice. Baby steps, but you saw it first here folks!
Click to expand...

I think we all have been saying that since the beginning..... . Im not on anyones side, I just know better, having experienced both systems.

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

I think you guys should take up a collection and all pitch in to get David a front locker. An act of good will amoungst brother.

Brandon H · Aug 31, 2012

He wouldn't know what to do with all that extra traction! Plus that would be a waste on a leased truck

BlueT · Aug 31, 2012

PaulPhotographer said: ↑

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VHxslTiQug

LOL Hey that's me years ago, with my completely Stock FJ Cruiser, still even running with the STOCK Dunflop tires.

That sand area is the softest sand I have found in the Tampa Bay area. That is why I thought it was a good place for a test, (the place is closed down now, so no new testing my new 2012 Tacoma 4x4 with the same conditions. Boo Hiss..)

But with the FJ Cruiser, the "A-Trac" would basically keep ALL four tires spinning. But I found out that using the "Rear-Locker" with the "A-Trac" on, worked best. Since my FJ Cruiser was one of the first ones sold, I had to do the "Hack" or "Mod" to allow the Rear Locker AND the A-Trac to work at the same time (disabling that option was a very dumb thing that Toyota did to do the first FJ Cruisers, but soon after they made that option available on the newer FJ Cruisers.)

Years later, I went out to that same place with REAL Mud Tires and they actually did worse in the sand. (But the mud tires work MUCH better in almost every other obstacle!) The Mud Tires wanted to dig in instead of just float on the sand. So I had to be more careful with them.

Conclusions!

I love A-Trac and the Rear Locker! And I use them together for a lot of my obstacle attacks.

On steep hills and other obstacles I really do not like A-Trac by itself. In my experience when A-Trac is used alone the truck can and does have a jerkier ascent or forward motion because of the constant computer changing the rotation of the different wheels. But with the REAR LOCKER and A-Trac, the Rear Locker stops most of that jerkiness and it is much easier to creep up steep obstacles without losing any momentum. Of course once through or over the obstacle, I shut off the Rear Locker.

Just my Humble Opinion. I do use the same technique with the Tacoma 4x4 also.

One caveat, I should mention! I did not read the reads of the posts in this thread. I just saw my FJ Cruiser testing Video (while searching for a different subject) and thought I would comment. So I have no idea what the later posts have said. As soon as I have some free time, (when???) I will scan the other posts in this thread.

PaulThePhotographer

----

Added after looking at few pages of posts!

One thing, that I believe and that some people might NOT understand about using A-Trac, is that you need to keep the all tires spinning! One video I saw of a Fj Cruiser that could not get out of a muddy deep rut, seemed to me that he kept stopping, just before the A-Trac would kick in and help spin the wheels. For me I LIKE really spinning the tires in those situations. I even put it into like 2nd to keep them tires spinning fast. It not only helps engage the A-Trac but also really helps to keep cleaning out the lugs of the mud tires, which in turn really helps the mud tires grab better. Two great advantages with a slight change of driving/wheeling attack. IMHO.

-----
Click to expand...

Big problem with this video is that while that A--TRAC is struggling to move FJ a inch per hour, two Jeeps are running circles around FJ....literally.

if that video is proof of great ATRAC capabilities those Jeeps are making that FJ look like school girl.

MonkeyProof · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

Gelo760 said: ↑

Look at the jeep mods though . Fj looked to be dragging frame .
Click to expand...

There is no logic allowed in this thread

You are out of line even suggesting that mods outside of a locker even make any difference at all.

Obviously if you added a front locker to that FJ it would be flying through that stuff like a sand rail. Besides that is probably west coast sand, back east the sand is much more difficult to negotiate. Sand like that is what they call a daily commute back east.

This thread keeps cracking up! I'm going to mix another drink and settle in for more laughs!

kirkofwimbo · Aug 31, 2012

Gelo760 said: ↑

Look at the jeep mods though . Fj looked to be dragging frame .
Click to expand...

David K said trucks with A-TRAC don't need modifications, since they have such awesome traction

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

kirkofwimbo said: ↑

David K said trucks with A-TRAC don't need modifications, since they have such awesome traction
Click to expand...

I wish I would have know that months ago I could have saved a bunch of cash

JonnyBb · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg said: ↑

I'm going to mix another drink and settle in for more laughs!
Click to expand...

The_Hodge · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg said: ↑

I wish I would have know that months ago I could have saved a bunch of cash
Click to expand...

Yep...and since you bought that armor, it means you can't drive either...

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

I had to put something on this big ol boat of truck I mean it ain't no jeep!

BlueT · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg said: ↑

There is no logic allowed in this thread

You are out of line even suggesting that mods outside of a locker even make any difference at all.

Obviously if you added a front locker to that FJ it would be flying through that stuff like a sand rail. Besides that is probably west coast sand, back east the sand is much more difficult to negotiate. Sand like that is what they call a daily commute back east.

This thread keeps cracking up! I'm going to mix another drink and settle in for more laughs!
Click to expand...

Do search for Carova 4x4 OBX. In some places sand like that it is daily commute to see what kind of sand OBX has look at the pics on Oregon Inlet Idiots Facebook page.

Great place and trucks love playing I know my does

Gelo760 said: ↑

Look at the jeep mods though . Fj looked to be dragging frame .
Click to expand...

Huh. what mods? Those Jeeps look stock. One may have 2 inches of lift but they dont spin tires (at all). FJ spins tires and sinks up to frame.
So either those Jeeps have front/rear lockers or ATARC blows even in Jeep standards. Thats pretty low.

MonkeyProof · Aug 31, 2012

rsbmg · Aug 31, 2012

Lockers in sand? pshhhhhh who needs em

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da_lHJJMc9k&feature=related

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