advice on the rear locker vs ATRAC for a newb

[rossmelvin]

Hey yall
I am in the Market for a LC 100, I have the opportunity to buy a 1999 with 180k for a great price with the rear locker. But would a 2000+ with ATRAC and VSC make the truck safer and easier to control in an accident avoidance maneuver? Is VSC an effective stability control system like a modern system or is it more targeted for off road use?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BMX and CRUISERS]

There's a lot of reasons to opt for a 2000+.

*Yes they are safer as VSC keeps them from tipping on to 2 wheels in various tests. Some don't believe this though other SUV's in this class did not experience the tip-factor.

*Yes they are better overall in 90% of off-road situations with ATRAC. Rarely will the rear locker surpass the ATRAC (overall).

*1998-99 have very weak front diffs...an expensive fix.

Oh...sorry, I missed your last part....

ATRAC will most often kick in off-pavement. It's there to keep you going when traction is poor.

VSC is your on-road life saver. There is merit to VSC vs "I'm an amazing driver and don't need it". One reason it's standard on almost every vehicle these days.

 

[Anthony.L]

If safety on the road is your upmost concern then yes the newer models and newer traction control systems are better than the early ones. This is for both on and off the road.

I personally think for on road use the front/rear ATRAC is way more useful than just the rear e-locker in the non-ATRAC models. With the e-locker you have to stop and engage the locker. With ATRAC and VSC it's always enabled and waiting for a situation where it's needed. In other words when you are driving on the road and something arises out of the blue ATRAC and VSC is there to save you, e-locker doesn't do a single for you in those situations.

What's going to get you next is should you move up to a 2003+ model....

 

[Nottajeep]

Get the 99 with a rear locker... you will not ever wish you had atrac instead.
The arguement has been played out several times on this board.

Most folks on here with Atrac have never driven a locked 4wd so the feedback can be one sided.

On the other hand I have only driven locked LC's so my opinion is one sided too.

 

[Gottagetone]

How hard are you going to wheel it? I had an FJ with both ATRAC and rear locker and I liked having the locker, it got me through spots that the ATRAC would not. ATRAC helps considerably and is used more than the locker because its always on.

 

[jonharis]

Get the 99 with a rear locker... you will not ever wish you had atrac instead.
The arguement has been played out several times on this board.

Most folks on here with Atrac have never driven a locked 4wd so the feedback can be one sided.

On the other hand I have only driven locked LC's so my opinion is one sided too.

Mostly agree with this.

The VSC on the 100 is very non intrusive during normal driving. I have purposely gotten my truck into slides on snow/dirt and feel it does an excelent job in correcting the situation. When the center diff is locked it becomes even less intrusive. The truck can move around considerably before it engages.

I liked ATRAC and really like that I still have it even with front/rear lockers. In situations where you still want to retain steering it is nice that ATRAC will still engage. For serious off-road ATRAC does not even compare to the effectiveness of a true locker though (Although there are many techniques that help).

For safety I would recommend the newer vehicle with VSC, side airbags and ATRAC. ATRAC will suit you fine off-road for a long time. When.if you decide to add lockers you will have the best of both worlds.

 

[ENGINE er]

pretty simple. Locker if you want to wheel, VSC ATRAC if you aren't

ive driven both off road and will always opt toward a locker, and use driving ability on the pavement to keep from tipping.

 

[yeti in ga]

*1998-99 have very weak front diffs...an expensive fix.

Doesn't really matter if you plan on someday adding a Front ARB locker, then you have a fully locked rig. But watching someone work ATRAC , it is pretty cool.

Get something you can enjoy and Mod away....

 

[rossmelvin]

I think I'm leaning more towards a 00-02, i only have $13k to spend. I don't mind miles, but its hard finding a truck in my small budget. The '99 has 180k for only $8,700. its just so good not to at least go look at the truck.
I dont plan on doing major off road stuff, just some mud with the boys, and some trials over in Georgia. My main reason for getting an LC is the reliability i want something that will last me through 2 more years of college and a couple of years after.

 

[BMX and CRUISERS]

My Dad proved to me years ago that ATRAC surpasses a rear-locker-only rig on the majority of obstacles. After so many trips with 80's and 100's it was obvious. How some here tout the locker over ATRAC puzzles me. He's cleared off-camber grades, slippery surfaces and ledges easily when locked vehicles were struggling and sliding even more. Rarely did we come upon a spot where the rear-locker-only rig made it easier...but it does happen every now and then.

Triple-locked and all bets are off. Lockers win until you have a 2000+ with both triple lockers and ATRAC.

 

[Musky]

I'd get the 99. Mine has been flawless and I love having the rear locker. It will get you out of a bind when needed. Also, the Landcruiser was built for 25 years of heavy use. It will last a long time either way.

If you're looking at the 00-02 I'd look at an 03+. The 03 has the 5 speed tranny and the newer updated dashboard.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Yukon LX]

an '03 is going to be out of his price range most likely. I agree with BMX on the Atrac over 1 locker as well. The rear locker may beat Atrac blasting through a mud hole, but i would take Atrac for most other applications off road. And as said 1000000000 times, there is the front end difference, just to rebeat the dead horse.

 

[Nottajeep]

I think I'm leaning more towards a 00-02, i only have $13k to spend. I don't mind miles, but its hard finding a truck in my small budget. The '99 has 180k for only $8,700. its just so good not to at least go look at the truck.
I dont plan on doing major off road stuff, just some mud with the boys, and some trials over in Georgia. My main reason for getting an LC is the reliability i want something that will last me through 2 more years of college and a couple of years after.

There you go.. spend the $8700 and keep the $4300 in your pocket. Spend another $1500 getting a front locker and you have a 3x locked vehicle with $2800 still left to spend on your 99 LC.

2000 and 2001 have more tranny issues pop up than the 98 or 99 models. Specualtion over possible bad parts in Mr. T production.There is lots of info on this subject too, even down to the mfg date codes.

No matter which one you pick, I am sure you will be happy.

 

[neoworm]

Rarely will the rear locker surpass the ATRAC (overall).

Say what?

 

[BMX and CRUISERS]

Say what?

Please see Post 10

 

[jonharis]

Get an 80.

 

[bluecruiser]

My Dad proved to me years ago that ATRAC surpasses a rear-locker-only rig on the majority of obstacles. After so many trips with 80's and 100's it was obvious. How some here tout the locker over ATRAC puzzles me. He's cleared off-camber grades, slippery surfaces and ledges easily when locked vehicles were struggling and sliding even more. Rarely did we come upon a spot where the rear-locker-only rig made it easier...but it does happen every now and then.

Triple-locked and all bets are off. Lockers win until you have a 2000+ with both triple lockers and ATRAC.

Schottzzzz's boy??????

 

[Yukon LX]

Get an 80.

Careful, that is close to chat. Please stay on topic. He said he wanted a 100.

 

[RobRed]

Hey yall
I am in the Market for a LC 100, I have the opportunity to buy a 1999 with 180k for a great price with the rear locker. But would a 2000+ with ATRAC and VSC make the truck safer and easier to control in an accident avoidance maneuver? Is VSC an effective stability control system like a modern system or is it more targeted for off road use?

Thanks in advance.

I love how folks draw a line in the sand... too funny.

To actually answer your question, 2000+ with VSC, EBD, ABS and ATRAC will make it easier to control in avoidance situations. The VSC is very capable on and offroad. This document TLCFAQ.Com - LC100 New Features (2000) has some of the changes from 1998-99 to the 2000 model.

A group of us have recently tested the rear locker 98 vs a 2000 ATRAC, To be effective in all situations you need both. There is some cross over where the locker is better and other times ATRAC is better.

 

[ENGINE er]

went wheeling wtih a 03 LX on 35s, came to a steep incline in the sand that was just after a water crossing.

My rear locker 33s rig made it up first time.

The ATRAC truck sunk like a sub and we had to use a snatch block and winch to get it out.

mud makes it tough for ATRAC to work as wheelspeed is usually needed and ATRAC will not engage with higher wheel speed.

I have sung its praises in low speed stuff but the piece of mind of knowing the axle is locked is worth it.