First post, have a question regarding what technology I have in my Taco

Hey! Great forum, lot's of great information. I just have a quick question. I've done a lot of googling and can't seem to find a solid answer.

I have a 2013 Limited Tacoma. I was under the impression that I had ATRAC, seeing as all 4runners, FJs, and Tundras come with it standard. But I read that it seems only the TRD Offroad package has ATRAC in the Tacoma? Is this true?

I would be a little disappointed. I've had three 4runners (1st being a 3rd gen and two 4th gens) and two Tundras and thought the ATRAC was great!

If I don't have ATRAC, what do I have? I'd be OK with a mechanical LSD, but I have a feeling I have Toyotas version of an LSD, the Auto LSD.

Any info would be great, thanks very much.

 

You have Auto-LSD, but you also have TRAC, which can be modded to work in 4lo similar to ATRAC. From what I hear it is not quite as aggressive as ATRAC, but is definitely better than open diffs

 

Thanks for the response.

So basically, I have open diffs in 4 lo?

 

From what I understand, yes, but there is a mod to enable trac in 4lo

 

OP, welcome to the forum.

The mod you're looking for is the "Yellow Wire Mod" which enables TRAC in 4-LO. It's similar to ATRAC but slightly less capable because it requires more wheel spin to engage. There is a ton of info on TW about the mod.

How to (2nd post in this thread): http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...-abs-kill-switch-why-why-not.html#post6254094

More info: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/51946-4low-trac-3.html

 

What I don't get about the whole system is that if you are stuck it takes more traction to get your vehicle to move than to keep it moving. Now one wheel spins so it applies the brake to that wheel to force the differential to put power to the other wheel and now the nonspinning wheel has to get more traction to move the vehicle and also pull a wheel with the brake on. Sounds like a gimic from the late 70's early 80's where if you were stuck with an open rear in a rear wheel drive car they told you to apply the parking brake to force the differential to put power to the nonspinning wheel. Never worked for me back then and I don't see how it could work that well now. Why didn't they just put a limited slip differential in it to start with. It would cost less and work a lot better

 

LOL atrac and computerized braking distribution to an open diff is superior to a
mechanical limited slip in ALL circumstances. Oh yes you may find a situation
to refute these words, but really...you cannot beat it. technology wins

it is just a tiny bit more sophisticated than your old-school parking brake trick,
[where by the word 'tiny' I mean leap years more sophisticated]

 

Never mind I will answer my own question. Traction control=death of limited slip differentials. Can't have both. LSD with traction control would cause the brakes to be applied to both rear wheels when wheelspin would occur causing brake wear and differential problems. It would also cause you to just come to a stop in low traction situations.

 

127, I wasn't talking about atrac. was talking about traction control and auto lsd. Not here to start a fight either. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I won't comment any further.

 

Welcome aboard! Not sure of the changes because I haven't been looking in quiet some time; I'm thinking about it, so I'm subb'ed in to learn.

 

I think the traction control of the ALSD applies brake force to wheels independently. IE if the drivers rear is slipping, but the passenger rear has traction, brake force will only be applied to the drivers rear.

I remember a post that made a pretty good statement about how the ALSD was like a weak version of ATRAC system. Same basic concept, but not as powerful.

 

reread my post

note the part where I say 'computerized braking distribution' to an open diff'

that is auto lsd.

and , traction control is atrac and atrac is traction control
---

 

Thanks for the help guys!

 

So when my VSC / Traction control kicks in around corners , my Sport has ATRAC ?