Adding A-trac

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

I am glad that all of you convinced my to hold off on trading my truck in. I really didn't want much of the stuff in the up packages...and I would rather take the 2-3k and add better stuff. I saved a couple hundred just by installing the hitch myself...these trucks are so easy to work with.

What you said about the toyota reps makes sense. For example, when I called and started speaking to a toyota rep I asked her if the A-trac light was on did that mean that it was functioning and she said yes.

Then I asked how to get atrac with my FJ, so she asked for my vin. At first the lady seemed to think that it was an option with FJ and then she put me on hold and when she came back she told me that I could not get a-trac. I asked why not and she told me that had consulted with a tech.

So then I asked her what it would mean if I had the dealer install an atrac switch in my truck and the light came on. She told me that toyota would not recommend doing so. So I persisted, what would it mean if the light was on and she stated that I would have Trac.

What?????

I talked to the one of the guys at my dealer's service dept, he is pretty cool and hooks me up from time to time. Anyway he told me that there are 4 different ECUs that come with these truck. He also didn't think that atrac would work.

I can't wait to find time to test this out....fished all day today...the FJ tows pretty well. The AT is also great for backing down with a trailer.
 
OK I got my wheels spinning in some slick mud while in 4L and I heard the sound of ABS in the back end.

It was only after my back end kicked out and I couldn't seem to get the front to kick.

No grinding sounds just abs, is that what I am looking for?

With the added a-trac is it working in the front end as well?

I was worried that since it didn't work until the back end kicked out that it was trac or some other system kicking in.
 
That's the sound you are looking for. That's all A-trac is...the ABS pulsing on the wheels that are slipping. It works independantly front and rear. It sounds like you were going fast...doing donuts, or something. I've never tried it like that. It's way more noticeable if you are crossed up in a ditch, or whatever. Try to flex it out on something, then you will really notice it.

I told ya it would work. :)
 
That must be why it wasn't reacting the same as I had thought it would. I was spinning the wheels quickly and fish tailing. I was also wondering because it was only the back end firing...the front wheels must have just been gripping too well.

Vids like this made me think there was something else to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaiuIIl5kF8

When I start fishing heavily in the sierras this spring I think that I will have plenty of ops to test this out. I still can't believe what a deal this a-trac is!


If it is working thanks you very much!!!!!!!!!!!

Solid crew here!
 
Last edited:
The best way to test your ATRAC is to find a pile of dirt...a construction site would work well. Go in to 4 lo, hit ONLY the ATRAC button. Drive one front wheel up the pile of dirt. Start giving it gas and letting the tire spin. You'll hear it if it's working. Kinda sound like someone banging on the bottom of the truck.
 
If A-trac is just ABS kicking in to slow a free spining wheel so that power is going to the wheel with traction.

Could any system (Trac or VSC) other than a-trac cause ABS to fire when in 4L? Could engaing the a-trac switch just be causing Trac to kick in.

If no other systems can kick ABS in while in 4L, I can definitely confirm that A-trac is working, at least with my rear tires.
 
I'm pretty sure all other systems are shut off in 4lo. The A-trac is a more aggresive version of the trac. It works really well. I was surprised at how well it functioned compared to a real locker.
 
i know this is a bit of a bump, but i just installed teh ATRAC on my new FJc (built in Dec 06') popped in the switch at the dealer, took me all of 20 seconds, put it in 4lo, and viola! "ATRAC" light on, "VSC off" light on "Traction controll light" on (you know the one with the picture of the truck and the little swervy lines). i know the ATRAC light in and of itself dosent indicate anything other than the fact that i turned on the light in the dash, but the otehr lights indicate that the ATRAC is in fact working as the other systems on the truck are overridden. such an easy mod, and well worth the money!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom