A-Trac - is it worth it?

[jvoelcker]

Hi All,

I have been searching the archives here and as yet haven't been able to come up with a definitive response that fit my circumstances.

I'm looking to upgrade my HDJ80 to a 1998-2000 HDJ100 and am trying to establish if it's worth upping the budget to go for a model with A-Trac or not.

The car will mainly be used as a daily driver (a lot of wet, slippery country roads), however in the winter it will be taken off road most weekends driving across typically wet British farmland (grassland and stubble) and tracks.

It will also be used for occasional overlanding trips across Europe and into North Africa, with the first trip being to Morocco in April which will include some sand driving on the edges of the Sahara and mountain tracks ion the Atlas mountains.

Although having said that, with the overlanding I'll be travelling with the family so I'm not aiming for any driving that is too severe.

So what are the views of the list?

 

[1loudLX]

shotts...where are you for this?

 

[NMuzj100]

Most say A-trac is worth the upgrade. There is no downside to the A-trac if you add airlockers later to make up for the missing rear locker.

The stability control is the really the more important improvement in 2001. Especially if family safety is your highest priority. It makes a big difference in reducing rollovers. (CORRECTION - these changes happened with 2000 models)

 

[Jim_Chow]

Since you're in the UK and can import a JDM right-hand drive HDJ100, they still sell them w/ the rear locker, plus you get the ATRAC/VSC. What you lose is the rear LSD diff. You can buy a new one in Japan w/ cloth seats and 5spd automatic for about $41K USD plus taxes. If you want the extra stuff (leather seats, dvd/nav, upgraded sound system, side air bags, winch, roof rails, moonroof, running boards, etc.), price rises to $50-55K+.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

shotts...where are you for this?

Me?

I'll take A-TRAC alone over a rear-only locker on 90% of the obstacles out there. Often, both front and rear ends need added traction. A rear-lock only addresses only the rear axle. TRAC does both.

 

[hkeller]

NMuzj100, I think stability control was added in 2000, along with A-TRAC. Our 2000 LX has it. Just FYI.

 

[wmatthewt]

I have a 98 and a family that I care about. Have done a few evasive maneuvers at 40-50 mph and felt safe and in control (as much as possible.)

With that said, has anyone flopped their 98-99 LC, or do you know anyone who has, or know anyone who knows anyone who has? And I don't mean by driving up a boulder...

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I have a 98 and a family that I care about. Have done a few evasive maneuvers at 40-50 mph and felt safe and in control (as much as possible.)

With that said, has anyone flopped their 98-99 LC, or do you know anyone who has, or know anyone who knows anyone who has? And I don't mean by driving up a boulder...

Don't know those numbers.

Do know that 98-99 tip on 2 wheels (tip greatly...would have rolled over without the testing wings). Re-tested the 2000 and no tipping. That's enough for me.

I'd rather NOT find out IN an intersection.

 

[LXPearl]

Consumer Reports removed their Recommended label from the LC for 98-99 because of the wheel tip issue. After testing the 2000 with TRAC, they again gave it the Recommended label.

I believe TRAC is great for the type of touring put forward. The TRAC in the LC is not as invasive as it is in other vehicles because it is adjusted for off road conditions. I drove a Sienna that was irritatingly invasive with its TRAC while "practicing" in some snow and ice.

 

[wngrog]

ATRAC is gay.

 

[r3run33]

go for the newer model; i think a trac would have saved my old truck (my 99 crashed) sold it for an 06

 

[1loudLX]

there was a thread on clublexus that a guy flipped his LX470. Not sure if it was a 98-99 but it was definately the pre-03 style. He did it here in NY in queens. He delete the text of his thread but couldnt delete teh thread. Heres a picture i have, i saved all his pictures before he deleted them.

I think he was driving at excessivly high speeds on a turn, even more than ied ever imagine doing.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

ATRAC is gay.

That's what the two 80 owners thought when they couldn't cross a cross-axled part of a trail up in Colorado. They had lifts but no lockers.

I was next (I didn't have lockers yet either) and drove right though nar a slip.

So yes...A-TRAC is gay.

 

[JJ_SC]

ATRAC is gay.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

[jvoelcker]

Since you're in the UK and can import a JDM right-hand drive HDJ100, they still sell them w/ the rear locker, plus you get the ATRAC/VSC. What you lose is the rear LSD diff.

Yes, I have seen a few imports. Did they get the ATRAC earlier or still around 2000.

The big problem with Japanese imports is few insurance companies are keen on covering you so I have been steering clear of them so far, but may have another look.

 

[KathmanduCruiser]

Yes, I have seen a few imports. Did they get the ATRAC earlier or still around 2000.

ATrac came standard in 2000. Check out the year to year changes here.

 

[jvoelcker]

ATrac came standard in 2000.

Thanks, seen that, but was wondering about the Japanese market - sometimes stuff comes out earlier over there either as standard or as an accessory and then a year or two appears in other markets.

I was just wondering if this was the case for ATrac?

 

[ChuckB]

ATRAC is gay.

so is being cruiserless!!

 

[KathmanduCruiser]

Thanks, seen that, but was wondering about the Japanese market - sometimes stuff comes out earlier over there either as standard or as an accessory and then a year or two appears in other markets.

I was just wondering if this was the case for ATrac?

Not sure about that. And I do not know where to point you toward for that information. Maybe you will have to call Toyota and ask them...... I don't know...