Easy hack for Active TRAC

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Ya, I'm gonna try the free cruise controll soon. As for the the A-trac and rear locker....did it today. Works awsome! Thanx to all who figured this out!
I tested it on my test track. It has a rocky climb that my 4Runner with 38.5" Swampers has problems with locked. I've tried it before with just the rear locker, and after a few tries, and lots of wheel spin, I made it. With this new mod, it just crawled right up! I LOVE IT! :D
Thanx again!
 
First post here, but I'm a regular on FJCruiserForums site under the name Kansas Law Dog. I purchased my FJ on October 12, a Titanium 4x4 with CQ and DL (rear locker) as the only factory options. I had installed at Port the roof rack, tow hitch, and security system. Since, I have added the ATRAC switch, TRD 16" wheels with Bridgestone 265/75R16 Revos, MAF extended sliders, rear door storage, all weather floor mats, old school badge, and other minor mods. I plan on adding a CB (via the Bandi mount and Cobra handheld unit) and a Webasto sunroof (not the panoramic one) in earler spring.

I'm hoping someone here can answer a question. At the same time as the TRD version of the FJ was released, Toyota corrected the ECU's for all 4x4 models to allow the ATRAC feature to work with the rear locker engaged. Has anyone here purchased an FJ without the UP package and added the ATRAC switch? Do the rear locker and ATTRAC function together just like the newer production with the UP option package? I think the VIN number of the vehicle needs to be higher than 52000 to verify this question. Thanks in advance.
 
Whoa! Toyota "corrected" the ECU to allow the ATRAC and E-Locker to work at the same time for _ALL_ 4x4 models?!?! That is, not just the TRD model?

Was this a hardware fix or a software fix? I'd love to be able to take my rig to the dealership and just upload some software to make it work. I've held off doing the hack in this thread, hoping that Toyota would just do the right thing some day soon. Anyone have their ECU updated to do this by the dealer?
 
Old Prospector said:
Has anyone here purchased an FJ without the UP package and added the ATRAC switch? Do the rear locker and ATTRAC function together just like the newer production with the UP option package? I think the VIN number of the vehicle needs to be higher than 52000 to verify this question. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I don't know, but I will be getting a new base model without A-trac in the next week or so. (I wrote off my first one) I will be adding the a-trac, and I'll see if they work together. I'm pretty sure they will.
 
aaronsca said:
Whoa! Toyota "corrected" the ECU to allow the ATRAC and E-Locker to work at the same time for _ALL_ 4x4 models?!?! That is, not just the TRD model?

Was this a hardware fix or a software fix? I'd love to be able to take my rig to the dealership and just upload some software to make it work. I've held off doing the hack in this thread, hoping that Toyota would just do the right thing some day soon. Anyone have their ECU updated to do this by the dealer?
Click to expand...
Here's a whole bunch of reading for you. http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...er-upgrade-heres-what-they-said-new-post.html

Basically Toyota had tested the ATRAC and rear locker working together since last spring during the Rubicon run and decided that there were no inherent problems. So when the TRD 3200 run included the dual functionality, Toyota decided to offer this fix on all production after about November 1st.

Many folks have called Toyota to request a retrofit to the earlier VIN numbers (the cutoff is around 52000). It is probably unreasonable to expect this upgrade without paying a fee for labor and parts, but I, as well as many others, would like to have Toyota approve this retrofit to ensure warranty is not questioned. The number to call is 1-800-331-4331 Ext. 6. A Toyota representative will be aware of this issue and give you a case number. I am hoping Toyota will respond favorably by the end of March to our request. If not, I will probably perform the hack.
 
Called Toyota and they confirmed that they did change the VSC ECU mid year and that there is no currently sanctioned factory retrofit for older (same year) FJ Cruisers. I could see it if it were TRD SE only, or the next model year, but if it's the same model year, they should offer to fix it.

:mad:
 
aaronsca said:
but if it's the same model year, they should offer to fix it.
Click to expand...

Counter Point.

1. There is nothing "broken" to require a "fix."

Is it reasonable to expect a manufacturer to retrofit every improvement/modification they make during a model year? How about year-to-year changes? If they were forced to spend money and labor for every slip-streamed change then there would be no incentive for them to make changes during a model run.

I understand where you're coming from but you have to be realistic in your expectations as a purchaser and we WANT Mr T to make improvements in their product any time they feel that it is justified. That is one reason that Toyota has the recognition in the industry for high quality vehicles.

If it makes you feel any better, Toyota has done this throughout their product offering for many years.... and I think we want them to.

I will bet you a 6-pack that if you call CruiserDan, he will order you the new ECU and you can install it easily. Then you have your upgrade; though certainly not "free."

-B-
 
If it's a new chunk of hardware, agree it's not reasonable to expect them to replace it unless it's a safety issue.

However, If it's a software upgrade, it shouldn't be a big deal. I also read about people getting "plastic connector" fixes that essentially do the same thing as the Alex mod. My point is that for something this trivial, they should have a "factory sanctioned" retrofit available.
 
It probably wasn't clear from my previous post, but I'm more than willing to pay for the retrofit. I'm not expecting something for nothing. I would just like an officially sanctioned way to do it, that doesn't involve replacing the whole ECU.

:cheers:
 
In the past, the Toyota ECM has not been "flashable", meaning there is no way to do a software-only upgrade. However, I don't know about the new models in general and the FJC in particular. I agree that if it was a "flashable" upgrade that they should do that for a minimum charge if they could determine that there were no ill effects of the SW upgrade.

-B-
 
But the question still remains:

Old Prospector said:
I'm hoping someone here can answer a question. At the same time as the TRD version of the FJ was released, Toyota corrected the ECU's for all 4x4 models to allow the ATRAC feature to work with the rear locker engaged. Has anyone here purchased an FJ without the UP package and added the ATRAC switch? Do the rear locker and ATTRAC function together just like the newer production with the UP option package? I think the VIN number of the vehicle needs to be higher than 52000 to verify this question. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Anyone done this on a post- 52000 build, yet ??

I gotta know so I can buy a CQ and DL optioned only truck and be reasonably confident I can still retrofit A-Trac ... :doh:
 
Like I said...I'm getting another base model next week. I will be adding the A-trac. I will post back later next week to let ya know. But I might need to be reminded. :D
 
Was driving up Harrison West, and the road was washed out. :crybaby:
winter43k008.jpg

winter43k014.jpg
 
Spike Strip said:
UGH! and OUCH ! Did you have air bags??
Click to expand...
All FJ Cruisers have air bags. It's the side curtains that were an option. Anyways, mine did not go off.
 
Runner Ryan said:
All FJ Cruisers have air bags. It's the side curtains that were an option. Anyways, mine did not go off.
Click to expand...

Opps, sorry, my bad. What I meant to say... :doh::doh::doh:
 
BillWright said:
Enabling A-TRAC when the rear diff is locked needs to be made available on request.
My understanding is that the new FJC's are coming with it. Anyone wanting to do some serious 'wheeling is mostly already doing it themselves with the widely known "A-TRAC Hack". I'm hearing the Trail Teams cars have it, we should too.
Click to expand...

Can you offer a description of the A-TRAC Hack? ...sounds like a good thing for the 100 too...
 
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