A-TRAC Videos (Active Traction Control in Action)

I know this is an ATRAC thread but the key to good locker use is to use it for short bursts (I wish I had triggers on my steering wheel like shifters on other cars - see pic below). I know that for most people the ATRAC is heaven sent and that it can be used without having to know what is happening - Kind of a Point-and-Shoot solution. I personally love lockers but for most that have ATRAC, you don't really need the front locker. Conceptually the idea of braking (albeit short bursts) when I want to go forward can be challenging when you are screaming up a sand dune at Competition Hill at Pismo!

Silver Shifter Buttons (I wish I had ones on my truck to engage locker(s))


Or Paddles


Mr StrayCAT!!!


Paul (StrayCat - who is a Very Cool Cat) makes this stuff look so easy and he's 2wd!!! Between him and JDKeller - they could teach us 4wd folks something about getting out of tough spots without all our gizmos!!!

The only time I had a problem with the lockers was when I had an actuator in backwards and the front locker was locked anytime I was in 4WD - 2 trips (10 days) in Death Valley, Cougar Buttes, Big Bear, etc. A

 

I think it is a position indicator that detects if the x-fer case is in low.

No you can see there are spots on each tang - they were resistance welded to the spades in the connector. I will be taking the switch out and seeing if I can solder them back on. If I can I will pot the connector back onto the switch with some 2 part epoxy. In the meantime, I just slid it back on and it will detect 4 wheel low.

 

A follow up to the Memorial Day 2010 Mision Santa Maria trip test of A-TRAC:

My third time in with a 4WD Off Road Tacoma.

The previous two Tacomas ('01 and '05) required the REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKER to climb the Widowmaker and other grades with little difficulty.

The 2010 had A-TRAC activated when in L4, which was at least for 1/3 of the distance to/ from the mission.

The road was rougher and more difficult than any of the previous trips.

The A-TRAC performed perfectly and I NEVER needed or engaged the REAR DIFF. LOCKER!

Being that the road was worse, plus the 3 foot deep water/ mud bog was no problem either (an open diff. 4Runner required pulling through), I have to conclude that A-TRAC is a superior traction system to lockers (front and rear) in the conditions I have used it on: deep sand, steep climbs, deep water/ mud.

The vehicles on our trip with a front locker had to frequently un-lock it any time a sharp turn was required, which was constant on that road. A-TRAC has no effect on steering abilty.

If you don't have an '09 + Off Road 4WD Tacoma (yet) to experience A-TRAC (Active Traction Control), I just am reporting this so you can look forward to this technology and how well it has worked for me in the deserts of California and Baja California, Mexico. I have been four wheeling since the 1960's and A-TRAC is the most impressive traction system I have ever seen or driven.

See my Memorial Day 2010 trip report in the Off Roading forum.

 

You may want to change your rear diff fluid and do a rear diff breather mod...

or... this can happen...

 

OMG that looks terrible!

 

And it was - sometimes we get what we pay for - that friend took his truck back 5-6-7 times!!! ...and I still don't trust their work. Mechanical stuff is a bitch if it's not put back right!

The funny part is they must be working for pennies to do all that work under warranty!

 

What is the story behind the muddy diff?

 

I think someone should buy my 09 4x4 OR Coma and use it for what it's made for... only thing I use it for is snow, helping friends move from one apt to another... and hauling my future CBR 600 RR... but I can do that with a 4x4 Sport or X-Runner w/ cables...

Anyone in So Cali wanna buy my Coma for $24k... it only has 16000 miles!

 

Paul, you missed where I asked you on Nomad, after you posted that photo: "Should I get mine changed?". CG (Chris) replied that he had his checked/ changed (Dakota) as it was underwater longer than anyone, and there was no water in his diff.

 

Agree, ATRAC is super fun. Got to play on a few trails this weekend with mine, ATRAC reminds me of that easy button in the Staples commercials. Push and go.

Diff breather mod is super easy. Most difficult part is waiting for the new breather and union to arrive from wherever you order. Once you have the parts, it's 5 minutes of labor.

FWIW, I used 3/8 ID 5/8 OD high pressure hose from Lowes. This stuff is super-resistant to crush closure, cutting, or kinking, but plenty flexible as a tube to follow axle movement with suspension flex. A little pricier than fuel line (about $1.50 a foot), but well worth it in my opinion:

I wouldn't give up on it just yet. You may want ATRAC if you get into some snow/ice mixed shit.

 

Another good one... It would be a great one to re-shoot!

Edit: Wrong video... good thing it wasn't that one of JD and Manny on their love fest!

Here's the right one...

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

 

Not really an ATRAC video, more like a truck abuse video.......

 

Well... I have seen that one before, and it isn't really showing anything. The sand pit video showing all four tires rotating and never letting the FJ get stuck is a good one that shows how A-TRAC works like lockers front and rear. Also, the Tundra with three tires on rollers and the 4th tire blocked is good... the truck goes nowhere until A-TRAC. With just one tire having traction (but blocked), the A-TRAC powers the truck forward.

 

Since this is on topic, does anyone have input about this thread?

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/98254-ability-add-atrac-2008-a.html

Basically, on FJs without ATRAC, you can just buy the ATRAC switch and enable it. I'm wondering if pre-09 tacos work this way too? Kinda a longshot...

 

Replied.

 

I would like to say thanks to the gents posting the info on the Atrac and Trac systems. They seem very useful. I have a base model truck with LSD rear and would certainly like to have Atrac for my front end, not that I am having much issues now. A good line works wonders.

 

When you trade up to your next Tacoma, you can have the A-TRAC!

 

I made another one this weekend.

A-TRAC engaging on the front axle pulling me up the obstacle.

It starts 10 second in.

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

 

I can honestly say I have put too much time and money into this one and think it would be a wiser choice to go with an aftermarket locker for the front and rear. However the next time I am wheeling i'll try to mimic some of these situations I have seen posted here.