ATRAC Should I get a locker?

but will you have to straighten the wheels out again when you engage the locker or can you engage it with the wheels already turned with no problems?

 

This shit makes my head hurt.

This one time, like eight months ago, I saw two guys kissing in a park. And that was the gayest thing I'd ever seen until I saw ATRAC.

 

Paul Murphy with his aftermarket front locker and Toyota rear locker, and I using A-TRAC only (never used the rear locker) wheeled throught the same hellish conditions on the Mision Santa Maria trail last year. Neither he nor I had any traction issues climbing or going through the 3 ft. deep mud bog. My stock rear bumper still shows the the results of the big rock dropoff that snagged it as Paul and my wife guided my tire placement... and neither saw what was going to happen before it was too late! LOL

There were others with front and rear lockers... They repeatedly had to shut off the front locker (perhaps the rear at times) in order to make the tight turns on the trail... When you are driving on granite, there isn't any loose material to let the tires slip as they must do in 4WD when turning. A-TRAC allows the slippage and then 're-locks' to continue to provide the front traction (and rear) as needed. It is like 'automatic lockers'...

Now, here is the difference:

1) A-TRAC comes with the truck, no extra cost on the Off Road package... and Toyota warranty would cover it, naturally. After market lockers are $$$ to install.

2) Steering is unaffected by A-TRAC.

3) It works and offers superior traction over the open differential that all other stock 4WD Tacomas only have in low range. Not exactly the same as a front locker, but so close to providing all the front end traction, the cost of an aftermarket locker is hardly worth considering, unless rock climbing is the main use of the truck. IMO.

What is 'less good' about A-TRAC over after market front locker:

1) It is not as 'smooth' and allows some slip to occur before 'taking over' and locking the front tires together. See the first video... sadly, Paul gave up instead of making the A-TRAC work. You must put your foot into it once the tires lock to climb over the rock. One the A-TRAC is in action, the front tire with less traction only rotates the same as the tire with more traction, and stops spinning alone.

2) It makes some weird clunking, poping noises when it works, but that is normal.

Either you buy an Off Road 4WD for maximum factory traction or not... The A-TRAC is only available on '09+ Off Road TRDs. Any other Tacoma model should first try the 4-Low Trac Mod ('09+), then get a rear locker, and if that still doesn't provide the traction, a front locker second.

Paul, we really need to get out again and do some side by sides. If I recall, your A-TRAC was not working in Baja, but since you had the front locker, there was no need. All the other Toyotas on that trip didn't have A-TRAC... The 4Runner with open differentials only was the only one who had to be pulled through the bog... and of course Neal's Tacoma with the aftermarket lockers (on the way out), after his rear differential blew apart.

 

It's one or the other, as they both provide the additional traction lockers give over open differentials and limited slip differentials.

The Off Road Package is expensive, but gives you a Toyota rear locker and the A-TRAC in low range... in addition to what all Tacomas have for limited slip in 4WD High (TRAC).

I would say unless money flows like water for you, the A-TRAC is fine. If you got to have it all, then buy a front locker if you do that much climbing and bogging.

 

No, of course not... but Toyota doesn't offer a front locker on the Tacoma... so if you want to decide on an Off Road package or buying a front locker anyway, it is important to understand how A-TRAC works or compares to the expensive alternative.

 

people these days

 

It is moving in a tight turn that the locker makes difficult unless you are on loose soil... Have you ever tried to turn on pavement or hard surfaces in 4WD? Well, the differentails are open... Just imagine if the rear two tires are locked together the way your front and rear driveshafts are locked together in 4WD! Now, if you add a front locker... no way can you turn a sharp corner, mountain road unless the dirt is like liquid below! Lockers are for getting through or over something that 4WD alone cannot.

A-TRAC is the secret weapon that bridges the need for full front and rear traction and steering ability... There is no speed limit or use restriction on A-TRAC... but there is on the locker (emergency only, 5 mph max). Yes, we know you can keep it on longer and faster... this is what Toyota needs to say however... and they say nothing negative about using A-TRAC.

 

If A-TRAC was explained fully or in a way anyone can relate to, that would be great... but it isn't. The A-TRAC info on Toyota.com is about as usefull as tire info that tells you tires are round and filled with air.

If they changed that lack of info, that would be great.

 

Where do you get this stuff? seriously.... you gonna confuse people. Speed limit is only for locking and unlocking not driving with it. Its there so you dont blow the splines on collar.

Also you can not make sharp turn in 4x4 anyway especially Double cab. Front locker or no there is more binding in 4x4 then in front locker. The only two trucks that I know of having ability to turn sharp in 4wd are 1gen Reg cab and LC in AWD mode because the bias to the front.

 

ATRAC on all four corners is simply not as capable as a truck locked f/r. discussion over

 

Let's see... I am 54 years old... been into 4Wheeling since I was a kid... and actually enjoy trying all manners of off roading in any vehicle I can.

This is my 3rd 4WD Tacoma... my first was a 2 door. All three had this lable on the door: (NOTICE it say OPERATE BELOW 5 MPH... and ENGAGE while wheels are NOT SPINNING (ie stopped):

 

Toyota doesn't offer front lockers. A-TRAC is very close but not as 100% as front lockers. It still works if you work it !

 

YES!

 

You do also notice it says to "use only to free your stuck vehicle in an emergency escape from the muddy road". Does that mean you cant use it if there is no mud? Does that mean I am NOT allowed to turn it on BEFORE I get stuck? Get off the 5mph rule because many people have told you that is false.

 

Read my posts and you will see exactly what I said... and I have said that is what Toyota says... not what I say. The thing I was doing is comparing A-TRAC to a locker... A-TRAC has NO such limitation from Toyota. Also, to correct Blue's statement that 5 mph was the engaging limit speed (not the operating limit speed).

 

David, you wheel a stock truck, if Atrac works for you, good. People get tired of hearing about it though. Some people like to debate it, but mostly, people get tired of hearing you talk about ATRAC all the god damned time. Like in the picture thread, you had to get your speel about ATRAC.

Let it go. No one cares. The info is out there. It's not better than lockers. A good alternative.. maybe.





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You admit that while toyota says 5mph, it's safe to run it harder, longer, faster. Then you go on to imply atrac is better because toyota gives no warning about it's use.

You don't see anything funny there?

 

Why are you reading this if it doesn't interest you? Is this the only thread on TW or the Internet??? No, so bugger off if you don't like the subject. I don't go to threads where they are talking about someting I don't want to read... and then tell them to stop writing that!!! LOL!! Wow

 

No, it is comparing... Lockers require Warnings... A-TRAC does not.