A-TRAC Videos (Active Traction Control in Action)

I'd rather wait 15 minutes for my brakes to cool than snap a half shaft or blow a diff out in bumblefuck. Plus the 09+ tacos with ATRAC have a hydraulic brake booster, one bets specifically to improve fade resistance when using these fancy schmancy traction control toys.

This would've been my expectation as well, but I have very little experience in mud with ATRAC, Hemi has been through plenty and says it's more effective than 4Hi with wheelspin. Which kind of surprised me. Just FYI.

 

A-TRAC (and TRAC) are not working all the time you are four wheeling, they are just their lurking and ready to go into action if one tire (per axle) looses traction.

The idea that A-TRAC will overheat the brakes while four wheeling may never occur because you would need to be in a situation where the loose tire needs breaking constantly on a run... I can't imagine that one would be in the same condition for so long on a trail run... When I go into L4, A-TRAC is on the ready because I never de-activate it (push the button once in L4 and never touch it again). While I haven't needed to be in L4 for any long period of time, mine has not overheated and gone into automatic shutoff mode.

A question for nvdeserted:
I too have used the A-TRAC and RR Locker together once to get unstuck in sand... but I did not try just the A-TRAC alone first. Have you tried just the A-TRAC and see if it will get you through where you have used the RR Locker before?

I am now using only A-TRAC in L4 and see if I come upon any situation where the RR Locker adds any more traction. The Mision Santa Maria run on Memorial Day weekend will be an excellent test. I needed the RR Locker on my last two Tacomas to climb the Widowmaker and other parts of that road. This Tacoma will only use the RR Locker if A-TRAC cannot do the job alone.

 

I'ved watched that video a few times now too. I'm seriously not that impressed. Took too many tries to make it over what is a relatively simple (if wider) chasm. I just don't see this as an exemplary proof point of the effectiveness of ATRAC. Too much rocking, too much momentum use, and, oddly enough, too much loss of momentum when he hits "airborne" on the two tires.

I mean, yes, ATRAC eventually gets him over the obstacles, but locked f/r, I doubt there'd have been so much as a chirp of the tires, and that chasm would've been done & over with while drinking his Chai Mochaccino.

Side note: is it just me, or are the 2010 4Runners just UGLY? It took a while for the last gen to grow on me, I don't like I liked the first revisions much, didn't really like the body style until they softened/rounded the wheel wells. But for some reason, I just don't foresee myself growing fond of this new body style.

What were they going for, exactly? Scion on 'roids or something?

 

The video shows a guy showing you A-TRAC working... over and over. He is not stuck in that spot and could have driven right on through, but paused to demo the locking action of A-TRAC on the free wheel. You need to have A-TRAC before you understand that it will do what lockers do well, and not do what lockers do poorly, and it comes with the OR TRD Tacoma, from Toyota!

Same thing with the sand video... That FJ could have driven right on through the sand at 32 psi, but tried to get stuck in it... and the A-TRAC wouldn't let him.

 

Have ATRAC: check
Understand how it works: check

I can see maybe (MAYBE) that being the case over the ridge, but don't try to say that he was chirping the tires trying to get up the lower face of that incline for the sake of showing ATRAC working. That was just plain lack of effective grip. ATRAC not kicking in until wheel spin is achieved, and then it has to compensate for the sudden lurch backwards of a 4,000lb SUV due to that lack of traction.

I've got both systems dude, remember? I'll pimp my '02 with lockers any day over my '09 with ATRAC. In fact, that's exactly why I got it.

 

It was an extreme example of what A-TRAC can do, a rear locker would have made that scenario much smoother for the truck operator. Plus if you look at the marketing videos from Toyota for A-TRAC, it will quickly become apparent that it was not designed to be a replacement for lockers.

It was designed to be an invisible non-invasive technology to keep the truck moving forward in 4lo without the complexities of the locker.

WATCH:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2eyBCX0ZWQ&feature=player_embedded

randombob, In another thread you claimed to have overwhelmed A-TRAC in the snow. I am curious, I see you have an '02... Did you change trucks? Or was your A-TRAC experience from another type of vehicle?

 

here is Nissan doing the same line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G-5I_yPvqs

 

Another Nissan same line different view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUwmAxnIRYs

 

In that other thread I did specify that I had/do currently have a 2009 TRD off-road model w/ ATRAC, et cetera. I do now have both. Too many sour experiences with the tech not living up to the hype, I went back to the previous frame & tech with which I had experience with due to prior ownership of a '97 4Runner — which I might add was the sexiest, best model EVARRR . These new ones look like a melted Hot Wheel or something.

I have since changed my sig, because as far as I'm concerned, the 2009 is now the bastard child that no one is allowed to speak of. It's just not as capable as the older models in so many ways. the 2002 is now *MY* truck. We make love occasionally.

 

Good post! . It appears that when the driver hit that chasm he stopped the vehicle. For what reason it's not clear, perhaps to lock his front diff. What is clear is that regardless of the traction system, that line is so steep, that tires are just going to squeal on that surface.

 

Not to make it Nissan thing here is FZJ80 at the same spot making all the rest look like wimps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ6fpmyGLpc

 

He stopped because his front has no flex at all so he was about to tip over. Otherwise he is rolling, not even for a second loosing the grip.

 

the 4Runner only had one tire squealing it looked like. I heard massive squeal, didn't see any tires spinning — of which the only tire we can't see (and that's spinning/sqealing) is the driver rear.

sweet ride. If I didn't have dogs in tow, I'd opt for an older Jeep instead, honestly.

EDIT: I should clarify that I was thinking things & didn't write them: I know that's not a Jeep, but if I didn't have an "extended family" I'd opt for an SUV-style shorter cab setup like those Land Cruisers. but I'd get the Jeep equivalent ;-)

 

Ha ha 80 has plenty room on the back. You just have to remove third row from it.
Plus there is nothing cooler to drive then 80

 

Yeah but the jeeps are shorter. 4 ppl plus gear in the back + top rack, shorter wheelbase… I'd go Jeep probably.

But alas, I love my pups, and they go everywhere with me, so… Tacoma DC it is!

There's a few of those older 80's around here I see, they look the part for sure, but I never, NEVER see them raised a bit for added clearance. Any particular reason for that? Seems like it could stand a few extra inches in the suspension & maybe a size or so larger shoe.

 

I have to say, the nearly stock 4Runner did quite well. ATRAC does not give up much to the modded / locked trucks. I should note that the driver of the 4Runner was a little shy with the thottle / momentum. He came to a complete stop a bunch of times, and was not giving it enough throttle, as well as being quite choppy when he did give'r.
Personally, I think it is quite impressive, and it certainly sets the bar a lot higher than just a few years ago.

 

ATRAC does not cut power. It sends power to the wheel with traction, by equalling the amount of resistance encountered at both wheels to roughly the same. If you are already somewhat stuck, there is a lot of resistance. I thought at first it was holding me back. Trust me, if the locker helped get you out, ATRAC and more throttle would have also. It does take getting used to and it is neither quiet or smooth. It seems like power is cut, but when used in other situations, such as rocks, when there is no added resistance form being stuck, it becomes apparent that it is not limiting power or cutting throttle. I think 2 of the downsides of ATRAC are just that, less efficient than a locker, and noisier than a selectable locker. I do not find it any noisier than any automatic mechanical locker, but I have not been in any vehicle with todays current breed of smoother lockers.
I concur that the locker does cut down on the buzzing / grinding, and clicking.

 

ATRAC shuts off above 3mph with the locker engaged, so if you tried to spin mudder style, it disengages.