For those who wheel harder than I do: What are the downfalls of MTS/ATRAC? Do I really need an e/air locker? (3 Viewers)

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I've been debating lockers for a long time. Once upon a time I had a rear locker in a 4runner and another in my ol' LX470. I've had lots of fun offroading with ATRAC in my 2013 LX570, and I am debating the value of adding e/air lockers.

I'm looking for advice as to the downfalls of MTS/ATRAC compared to diff lockers. When you are wheeling harder than I probably ever will, what are the tactical advantages of e/air lockers compared to MTS/ATRAC?

Thanks in advance for the insights. I'm basically debating adding rear, and perhaps later a front locker, but questioning if I really will get use and value from them, as I'll soon dedicate my LX to 4x4 fun and adventures rather than daily-driver (less city use).

 

[riffman12]

I've had an e-locker in a 4runner then ATRAC in all my Land Cruisers.

The best way I can describe it is that with a locker, there is no time for the vehicle to "think" or "figure out" which wheel to send power to. It's instant. That next quarter of a wheel rotation has both wheels putting down equal power.

With the electronic systems it often takes a bit of wheel turning for the system to know what to do.

In most cases both systems will get you up the same obstacle, but if you're right at the crest of a rock and NEED the vehicle to start moving forward with zero rollback, a locker will always be more effective.

Rear locker makes the most difference in my experience. Front if you really need to get into some hairy stuff.

 

[Heckraiser]

I'm a locker guy mainly because I began wheeling before all the electronic alternatives came around. I'm a "hold my beer" wheeler and usually pick the harder lines, not too scared of beating up the truck--that's what I bought it for. I'm not a big fan of ATRAC, just feel like more slippage than the positive engagement of a locker and when you're really trying to climb over that bump, ATRAC just doesn't cut it sometimes. To me, ATRAC feels more like the old-school trick of gas and brake at the same time, but on steroids. I'm also spoiled by a long line of locked rigs (many of them front and rear locked). I spent the $$$ for front and rear Eatons in my minivan and don't regret it one bit. FWIW, I have run ARB lockers, e-lockers (OEM and aftermarket) and lunchbox lockers. I prefer e-lockers over air lockers for reliability/simplicity. Lunchbox for parking lot donuts

All that said, my recommendation to you if you're making your LX into more of a wheeling rig is just go out there and put it through it's paces. If you find yourself running into the limitations of ATRAC, then spring for the lockers. No need to decide now. It will depend a lot on where you wheel as well.

 

[coleAK]

I had triple lockers on my 80 and g500 I had prior to my LX570 and my daughters ZR2 is triple locked. I wheel pretty hard with the LX and have personally never felt the need for adding them. In the rare event I need ATRAC I kick it on for a few min got through the situation, move on. Another point to make for ATTAC I think it is better in soft sand than lockers. Many times in my experience lockers do more harm (dig holes) than good in the soft stuff.

My advice is the same as others. Don’t add them until you see a real need and if so rear is likely all you would need.

 

[kcjaz]

The best way I can describe it is that with a locker, there is no time for the vehicle to "think" or "figure out" which wheel to send power to. It's instant. That next quarter of a wheel rotation has both wheels putting down equal power.

With the electronic systems it often takes a bit of wheel turning for the system to know what to do.

Well said. MTS/ATRAC are great and generally will do all that most people. Whether or not you “need” lockers depends on what you plant to be doing with your rig, how heavy your build gets, and what other recovery equipment you have. For example, I’d add a winch before adding lockers. Another thing is do you adventure solo and need to be able to get yourself out of situations or have the best chance of avoiding them all together. Here is a video of me before lockers. On the 3rd and final attempt, you can see MTS stop the passenger rear tire which put traction to the driver side and up the climb I went. With a rear locker I likely would have made it on the first shot.



The only “downside” I’ve noticed w/ MTS is that sometimes the MTS will kick in and kill forward momentum as it’s really trying to crawl you over the obstacle. You can manage this with the terrain select dial. I think of it as a “variable slip” locker. I usually keep terrain select in “sand” mode to provide the most slip and just drive. If I’m really going to rock crawl up something I may dial up to “rock” mode. If I can’t make it up and over, I go rear locker. If that doesn’t work, I go triple lock. Triple locked is like hitting a cheat button. The first time I did “The Wall” I got stuck half way up with only rear locker on. I debated whether to hit the front locker or back down. I decided to go front locker and just walked up. The down side to front locker is that you can’t effectively steer and if you lift a corner, and your free spinning tire suddenly gets traction, you can break a CV.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I've had an e-locker in a 4runner then ATRAC in all my Land Cruisers.

The best way I can describe it is that with a locker, there is no time for the vehicle to "think" or "figure out" which wheel to send power to. It's instant. That next quarter of a wheel rotation has both wheels putting down equal power.

With the electronic systems it often takes a bit of wheel turning for the system to know what to do.

In most cases both systems will get you up the same obstacle, but if you're right at the crest of a rock and NEED the vehicle to start moving forward with zero rollback, a locker will always be more effective.

Rear locker makes the most difference in my experience. Front if you really need to get into some hairy stuff.

Perhaps I'll just have to wheel harder and get as stuck as I can before buying and installing lockers. Push the limits a bit more, so to speak. I've only been truly stuck once at Suffield Forces Base in mud that wouldn't negotiate with CRAWL and nothing to winch off of nearby (a ground anchor would have been ideal).

I can see the value of locking in advance of obstacles, as opposed to responding after a wheel is spinning. Guess I'll just have to attempt more aggressive lines to test my needs more.

The nice thing is I have my stock diffs on a shelf (swapped 4.3's as fully built toyota diffs), so I can install lockers/gears at home, and take my time without putting the vehicle out of service.

 

[hoser]

I prefer lockers over ATRAC/MTS for a recreational wheeling. ATRAC for an overland vehicle. Having both is the best of all worlds but I'd like to be able to turn the traction aids off. The fun is trying to get through an obstacle..... not bragging to your buddy how easy it was for you. But the worst is having to take a strap/winch help. In which case, I will take all the traction aids I can get before asking for a strap!