whats the difference between A-TRAC and a Locking diff?

Just tryin to understand the difference between a locking diff an A-TRAC, i have an 09 with A-TRAC, witch is better?

 

okay thanks

 

Welcome to TW!

I believe it works the same for the Taco.

http://www.toyota.com/fjcruiser/demos.html


As far as a locker it locks the rear wheels so they spin at the same speed regardless if one is up in the air, has no traction, or is hooked really well.

 

As far as which is better is a matter of opinion/situation. I prefer locker but I can see the advantage to atrac.

 

Hi,

As a 3 time Tacoma owner ('01, '05, '10), with the first two having the locker and the new one having both the locker and A-TRAC... and I was REAL curious about how they worked different from each other and what they would do... I HAD to make up this big signature and post a thread in the tech forum... did you see it?: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...uto-lsd-explained-easy-understand-i-hope.html

Next time you go into L4... push the A-TRAC button... and just leave it that way. Every time you go into L4, the A-TRAC will be on. Just like TRAC is on in H4 and H2. The limited slip action is far superior to open differentials for traction in off road conditions. For some reason, the A-TRAC is a late feature for the Tacoma... as the FJ Cruiser and Lexus SUVs had it before. So, the 'normal' L4 mode is open differentials... and they added the A-TRAC switch in 2009.

A-TRAC is a 'stronger' limited slip than TRAC and is pretty close if not almost the same traction as lockers, front and rear... Except that you can easily steer with A-TRAC for negotiating narrow trails! See the video clips on the FJ Cruiser page on Toyota.com. A-TRAC does make noise from using the brakes heavily to force traction to the tires with grip from the tires that slip.

Now, you only should need the locking rear IF you get stuck using A-TRAC... as a final last resort... But, you do have it... and can use it with (or without) A-TRAC.

Enjoy!

 

Welcome to TW zfisher89.

ATRAC is a real benefit in most off-road low-speed situations. You'll find it really helpful and far more useful then the rear locker in most situations. The rear locker is really a "save your ass" measure that you'll be thankful for when the time comes.. and if it never comes then you're really not enjoying your 4WD system to it's fullest!

Cheers!