A-TRAC: WHY is it difficult for some people to accept it?

But uh, a-trac shuts off after 5mph and switches to trac?

 

I have a 2010 OR. When ATRAC kicks in one wheel spins like 1/8 turn then it locks up like a spool. Be cause its continually self adjusting it will stop being locked up, do another partial revolution and then lock back up. While its working its 100% effective as a locker. Its the periodic deactivation that is the only negative vs a selectable locker. People who dont a truck with it have made some erroneous and outrageous claims about how it works and does not work. I dont want a selectable locker because its more prone to me damaging CVs (very common in the H3 Alpha) and it has to be switched for turning. I may have a little slip here and there on one wheel (1/8 spin every rotation or two) but other than that its 100% as effective as an ARB or other selectable.

 

You know it is pretty sad when an owner has A-TRAC and doesn't understand it... specially being on TW where we spell it out so much.. including in this thread!!

No, A-TRAC has NO speed limit on its own... but, as it only works in Low Range, how fast will you be going, anyway?

TRAC is in H2 and H4, A-TRAC is in L4 as is the Rear Locker... The rear locker has a recommended 5 mph limit... and if you think you need the rear locker + the A-TRAC (for the front tires), then that has a 3 MPH limit. However, from my experience and others here, you don't need the rear locker with A-TRAC.

Please read the thread, and also my link on how A-TRAC and the other traction systems work in our trucks.. link in my signature.

 

Excellent!!!

 

No faster than 52mph

 

Yup!

well, 52 KILOMETERS per hour, eh?

 

No I meant 52 Miles per hour. In 4lo it won't go into 5th and pings on the limiter at about 52

 

Great thread! Thanks for this information.

 

I'm not sure what you meant but that comment. ATRAC doesn't squeeze the wheel to make it act like a locked axle, it uses pulsating motion. This in turn will give intermittant power to the wheel with traction. The intermittant power means jerky motion. It may be very little jerks and you may not "feel" it, but its there unlike the way locked axles turn smoothly.

How is anything I said emotional? I used laws of physics and the way ATRAC works to explain why it might have disadvantages and advantages compared to a fully locked vehicle.

I have ATRAC and used it quiet extensively. In fact you got the idea of these "drive modes" and explaination of ATRAC from one of my earlier posts. I think ATRAC is great, I'm just giving FACTs about its downfalls.

 

Dude, I need work... YOU buy the gas.. LOL!

At least gas in Baja is only $2.40/ gallon for 87 octane and about $3 for premium, and better too (no additives for pollution), so you get better mileage!

 

I never said anything with the word 'squeeze' in it, was it someone else, perhaps?

I have always tried to be as accurate as possible in my posts here. A-TRAC uses sensors that read wheel spin and then activates the brakes (with the strong hydraulic booster) to a tire that looses traction (spins much faster then the opposite tire per axle), which diverts torque (drive power) to the tire still on the ground with traction. If both tires rotate the same or spin the same, as in sand, mud, snow... there is no braking other than to keep them spinning at the same rate (ie. like a locker does).

Sorry I wasn't clear... I was meaning anyone in general, not you (the emotional part).

Yes, you were an awesome help back in December, when I got active here and stated asking about the traction systems. You haven't been posting too much... lately?

 

DevL and I both point out the negative effects of ATRAC "periodic deactivation" or "pulsating power."

I find it curious that you attack me for being emotional and not using facts, but you find his post excellent.

Edit: I saw that you replyed to my post David... it's all good bro, I just didn't like anyone calling me emotional when I'm clearly only using facts to make a point.

 

I was saying for it to act smoothly like a locker and have no jerks, it would have to squeeze the spining wheel rather than use pulsating breaks.

However, doing this would also kill the main advantage of ATRAC (maneuverability) and cause it to overheat more easily.

That's because you have snow to cool down the breaks. That said, it's really not that easy to overheat ATRAC as it uses pulsating motion as I've said above.

 

You know I find this conversation difficult. So far I posted few videos that compare Atrac and its short comings you had posted 0 proof of how it is better then dual lockers.
not only you failed to provide proof but you using the oldest trick in forum debate (when one lacks proof), ...personal attacks. (highlighted text)
Keep it factual, where is the proof... ???
You said Atrac does not jerk the truck even so 4runner video proves it that it does.
You have video that was made by ARB with 3 identical LC's which you dismissed because you feel is fake.
Either you have proof or not.. ??? Post a video and lets see it. There are millions of videos on Youtube just find two with identical trucks going over identical spot.

 

The only time I can see ATRAC performing better than fully locked F/R would be during turns. Whether or not added maneuverability outweights some potential slippage is going to depend on the trail.

Where you shouldn't drive with both axle locked all time off road, you can use ATRAC at all time off pavement.

Note: ATRAC and TRAC are similar but not the same.

Most of your videos are about TRAC and not ATRAC. That's what David K is saying.

 

Not smoth means uncontrolled change in gravity center of your vehicle.
That change can tip you over or when its stopping or startign to move send your vehicle down the hill. I know its hard to imagine that on dry rocks, try pulsating your brakes while you climbing iced hill and you will know what I am talking about

Its only not big deal when you travel on fire roads with 10 people around you. When you in the place that has rocks every few feet, winch will weld itself to the frame in about 15 minutes of constant winching. If somebody can not repair(or atleast make into limp mode) his junk in emergency situtaion then it should be staying around the dealership .

Not sure how stopped wheel can help you up the hill. Press brake to stop the wheels and see if your truck will travel up the hill.
Granted its more then two wheel braking but same principle just exaggerated.

Dont mistake axle wrap with Atrac two different things

Thats what IsThatHemi did and end up with new differential. So I would not suggest that.

For me I would not buy vehicle with traction control. Extra cost of parts replacement, limitations on upgrades is not worth it. I would rather have simple system that does not need to be dragged to dealership every time I change my tire size.
Now when I am looking for replacement to my wifes minivan.... then yeh she is going to get as much traction control as it can possibly fit in that thing.

 

This is like a political thread ... never gonna satisfy everyone, never gonna come to an end.

Unfortunately BlueT every new vehicle is now mandated to traction control. I didn't want all that junk either, thinking mechanical is simple, is better. But computers are going to revolutionize vehicles just like they've revolutionized everything else. Sure some people still type on manual typewriters. But I'd take my i7 quad core any day. So I bit the bullet and finally replaced the 86 4Runner with a new 2010. And so far (knock on wood) all the electronic gadgets have proven to be a great and problem-free addition.

 

thanks David for shedding the light on this, lots of good info

they'll always be naysayers (cough sport models cough) j/k

 

When I read about A-TRAC in the manual... my first thoughts were "keep that computerized shit off"... then I read about in on TW... and compared a variety of offroad conditions with A-TRAC both on and off, and now it is ALWAYS turned on in L4.

David is right, it doesn't get the credit it deserves.

Turn A-TRAC on whenever you are offroading, you won't be disappointed.