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

What? No. I'm talking about the ATRAC guy that challenged Monkey.

 

That was rsbmg who at first accepted my challenge but then quickly backed out saying nothing would be a fair comparising since im running a 35" tire. Then brandonh was on top of it saying his taco is comparable. We all had agreed on the trail but nothing was really ever set in stone. Just a bunch of talk lol

 

Bummer.

 

I know..I was looking forward to it. But it wouldn't matter if he had 37" tires along with ATRAC. Outcome of the challenge still would have been the same.

 

come out east ill show u my atrac

 

lol

 

COME TO THE WEST AND ILL SHOW YOU FRONT LOCKERS DB ..lol

 

Lets not be misleading here. There was never a personal "challenge" and there was never any "backing out". I simply said to pick a trail that a vehicle with front and rear lockers could make that the locker folks felt ATRAC could not make, and I would give it a shot.

This would be a comparison nothing more nothing less. My only concern was that it be a trail that one could reasonably traverse without body damage because I'm not smashing my truck up to see if lockers are better. Brandon said the trail could be negotiated without damage as he has done it in a comparably equipped vehicle so I said ok.

A date has not been selected which is going to be the hardest part at least for me.

I don't have really any vested interest in the outcome either way since I think I have a good grasp of reality and where lockers and ATRAC intersect. I don't think ATRAC is as good as David K thinks it is but I also don't think it's as bad as others portray. Right now that's just opinion as far as I'm concerned.

I believe the advantage of adding a front locker to an ATRAC equipped vehicle is minimal but it does exist. That is just my opinion because I feel ATRAC is going to work adequately for upwards of 90% of the trails you will ever find yourself on. I don't view a 05+ Tacoma as a true rock crawler though. Again just an opinion.

As I have always said, if your truck in whatever configuration its in does what you want it to then its perfect as it is.

I'm trying to get a few dates cleared for November/December time frame. As I said there are more factors involved for me than just my desire to go so I have to work within those factors.

 

What I said!!!!!

 

I had some free time last night night so I drove up to the Hammers just to have a look.

I saw this dude in a pretty cool buggy so I started talking to him. Turns out it was Shannon Campbell. Anyway he hopped in the Tacoma and rode with me as I easily completed every trail in Johnson Valley in just under 2 hours using only 2wd or ATRAC.

Shannon asked if I would mind running my truck in the next KOH and he would pay my way so I said sure. In the meantime he is completely re-doing his axles to run a 100% ATRAC system after he saw the advantages.

We filmed all the trail runs but come to find out the guy who filmed them was Steven Spielberg. That said he is using all the footage in his next movie so obviously did not want to release it to me until after the movie comes out which I understood.

Overall it was a crazy trip I didnt even go into the afterparty when we were done on the trails. Ice Cube showed up with a bunch of coors light and we all partied till like 3am. I caught a quick nap, woke up about 8am did all the trails again then came home.

I'm pretty stoked I didnt even air down because I forgot my compressor but as it turned out I didnt need to so no biggie.

Anyway cool trails I even saw a guy in a Prius working his way through but he had two extra batteries with him so not really a true stock configuration.

 

wut

 

That was freaking hilarious!

 

OK, read most of these pages, I think I got it.
I am getting a 2013 TRD SPORT (NO A-TRAC)

2WD normal- VSC (corrects for under and oversteer conditions)
TRAC applies brakes to slipping REAR wheel and limits engine rpm's when slipping rear wheel is detected

2WD TRAC OFF (Pressing VSC button-short press)
VSC is OFF (no correction for over or understeering)
TRAC is OFF (No gine limiting when rear wheel slip is detected)
AUTO LSD is ON (applies brake to one of rear wheels if slip condition is sensed)

2WD VSC OFF (Holding VSC button down for 3 seconds)
VSC, TRAC, and AUTO LSD all off. (Esentially an open rear dif...one wheel drive)

4WD HI NORMAL
VSC -ON
TRAC - ON (NO engine power limiting in 4WD HI mode. Sensors will sense and apply a brake to a slipping wheel in BACK and/or? in FRONT) this will apply a brake to a sliiping front wheel right?

4WD HI VSC OFF (Holing button down for 3 seconds) (pushing VSC putton does nothing just holding it down does?)
VSC and TRAC OFF (like having 2 open diffs)

4WD LO
VSC and TRAC are both OFF (Having 2 open diffs)

IF I do the yellow wire magical snip, I can re-activate TRAC in 4WD LO mode correct?

When in 4WD LO mode, with the yellow wire snipped, do I still have VSC (understeer and oversteer protection?)

With the yellow wire snipped, in 4WD LO the light will flash, but no buzzer should sound correct?

Does TRAC apply brakes to front wheels as well when in 4WD modes if it senses a slipping front wheel?

Has anyone tried this mod in a 2013 TRD SPORT, or SR5 for that matter (same system)


One last question...I know it's only an opnion question, but I'm still curious.
Do you guys notice a smoother highway ride with the TRD SPORT than with the SR5 (especially when not hauling anything or just towing something light)

Thanks in advance for any/all answers

 

Because we have not seen a tech sheet for the 2013 changes, cannot be certain.
Remember to turn VSC OFF, not only do you need to hold in the button (3+ seconds), but you also must be stopped... the AUTO LSD ON does not require a stop with the quick button push.

There is a possibilty from other 2013 owner posts that you do have an extra mode in H4: TRAC with regulation and a quick push turns on 'AUTO LSD' (TRAC without regulation). 2009-2012 Tacomas only have TRAC without regulation (as the normal mode)... and Toyota made it confusing by not calling it AUTO LSD, as they do in H2.

TRAC/AUTO LSD in H4 DOES give limited slip traction on the front tires, yes. This is why the yellow wire mod for you guys with a SPORT is so key to making it trail worthy... tricking the truck into thinking it is still in H4 when you go to L4.

You don't need VSC in L4, because you will be crawling... VSC is a moving system for preventing spin outs.

When AUTO LSD is on (in H2), the VSC is only off to 30 mph, then it comes on automatically.

When VSC is OFF (push for 3+ seconds when stopped), it WILL come back on IF you drive in a hazardous manner to prevent a rollover (or try to). When you restart the truck, all the setting go back to the normal modes.
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Hope that helps! As I have an Off Road, I have no need for the yellow wire mod since I have A-TRAC in L4. Can't advise you on that one.

 

David K,

Thanks for the info. You would think the owners manual would have all this information in it, in a straightforward manner. HA.

Anyone else have any info regarding 2013 models, specifically if there is a third mode in H4.

Any opnions on TRD Sport vs. SR5 highway riding

Thanks again

 

Thanks David. Good to know what my Truck can do. I really had no idea when I chose my TRD OR last week. Chose the OR because I don't like silly skewps and the "Sport" on a truck. btw, After reading this thread earlier today, I was motivated to find a place to OFF Road. Nonetheless, I found one but unfortunately my wife was screaming at me just like she did when I use to go 120+mph in my previously owned Nismo. We were just going up a steep gravel hill as she was also shouting watch out for the big hole. She was shaken by the experience as i was smiling like a boy who had just experienced his first kiss. I guess I was wrong to get rid of the sports car. My wife is not only afraid of speed but also crawling too. Doh! This is what happens when country boy meets city girl. fml