Lockers versus ATRAC

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LandCruiserPhil said:
:doh: I want to bypass ATRAC I am of the belief if you know how to drive in certain situations you better off without ATRAC
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I agree with that. This was one of the times I thought it worked well. And for me to show that using myself as an example of getting schooled by it, I think took some courage. I'm still not a convert, but I respect it for what it can do.

In 2008 I was down at Barnwell Mtn. for the TTR Jamboree and I saw a lot instances where the FJ Cruiser's ATRAC was a bad deal. At times it would be working so hard that the vehicles would shart shimming and shaking. I think in those cases being able just to power through would have been better.
 
1loudLX said:
pedal to the floor, ATRAC disabled.
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Might depend on wheel speed as well or something, I was pedal to the floor with ATRAC going mad when my front diff broke. I was trying to climb a long very steep rutted mud run. My wheels were mostly going slow at the end being braked by ATRAC but then one would spin at high speed before being grabbed again. A different time I had ATRAC kangaroo'ing badly failing to get over some logs after which my centre diff was discovered to have broken a tooth (can't 100% connect that but I'm convinced).

I've been impressed with what ATRAC can do but I think if you're close to the limits of what traction is available then there's no substitute for lockers. Most of my wheeling is slippy surfaces not rock crawling and the behaviour to deal with those probably needs to be very different. The ATRAC only has quite limited information to work with and I think it makes the most of what it has.

I don't have an ATRAC disable, I just rely on all the wheels turning at the same speed when locked to mostly defeat it but it might still try to kick in sometimes when you're stuck because the speed sensors say you should be moving and the deceleration sensor says you're not. Hasn't been a problem so far but it would be nice to turn it off completely.
 
ATRAC is great overall, but I think that in MUD (remember I live in GA), lockers are the way to go.......and really good tires. ATRAC sure beats nothing but when you get in serious, I think ATRAC can be more of a risk since it could cause you to blow a front diff.
 
wildsmith said:
Might depend on wheel speed as well or something, I was pedal to the floor with ATRAC going mad when my front diff broke. I was trying to climb a long very steep rutted mud run. My wheels were mostly going slow at the end being braked by ATRAC but then one would spin at high speed before being grabbed again.
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Well based on that its still a risk....
 
I can think of one situation where A-TRAC might trump lockers, and that is climbing a tall, steep slickrock face, where lockers just cause you to walk sideways until you roll the truck.

But I agree, I'm pro-choice on this one. Give me both and let me choose which to use.
 
ginericLC. Just wondering where the video was shot? It looks a lot like my home stomping grounds in Western Colorado.
 
IDaho :)

And I think ATRAC is great, but I'd still put an ARB in the front immediately. Once you've broken one diff you won't take a chance again. I've seen quite a few FJ Cruisers with broke rear diffs due to overactive ATRAC.
ttrjamboreeJan08 200 (Small).webp
 
Having run both of those tires, there is a huge difference in the grip between the BFG AT and STTs in west and sloppy conditions. Not really a fair comparision since the truck with the slick tires blazed the trail through the snow and the mud tire equipped rig followed the ruts. The ATRAC works well, but doesn't have the traction of a locked rear end. I crawled for years in vehicles with welded one ton rear ends and did a lot of climbing that a limited slip setup couldn't handle.
 
ginericLC said:
IDaho :)

And I think ATRAC is great, but I'd still put an ARB in the front immediately.
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Eric - Please fill me in as to why you would add the ARB to the front and not the back, if you were adding a single locker. I was under the impression (and this could be mistaken) that the back locker along with the ATRAC up front would be the best combination, not the other way around. Please explain.

Thanks,

Jonathan:popcorn:
 
bamabrock said:
Having run both of those tires, there is a huge difference in the grip between the BFG AT and STTs in west and sloppy conditions. Not really a fair comparision since the truck with the slick tires blazed the trail through the snow and the mud tire equipped rig followed the ruts. ....
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See below...

LCHardriver_02 said:
Just for clarification, my truck is running STs not STTs. ;)

Jonathan
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Obviously, lockers + ATRAC gives you the best of both worlds. But the most basic reason ATRAC rocks is that it's free (well, at least not an aftermarket, post-purchase cost), it's on every truck model year 2000 and up, it kicks in automatically, and you can steer better than fully locked.

Fact is, if I had $3500 to pony up, and had to choose between ARB's front and rear, or somehow retrofitting ATRAC, I'd take the lockers every time of course. But for the money - $0 - ATRAC's "almost" as good in most situations that I wheel in (no mud, trees, etc.), and it's free. Did I mention that it's free?
:meh:
 
re_guderian said:
Jon, what's up with the avatar?
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I was wondering how long it would take for some one to ask. :)
It is what it is. :flipoff2:


Oh and I love my truck!
 
The kid taking the wizz should have a GM hat on. Because GM (Government Motors) is taking full advantage of the Toyota troubles. Toyota was great before and they will step up reliability and durability to absurd levels after all this nonsense is worked out.

I am still wating on any free lockers that are removed because A-TRAC is by far better in most situations.
 
uzj100 said:
The kid taking the wizz should have a GM hat on. Because GM (Government Motors) is taking full advantage of the Toyota troubles. Toyota was great before and they will step up reliability and durability to absurd levels after all this nonsense is worked out.
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Toyota is going to have INSANE quality control after this.......I wouldn't be surprised if they increased the Japanese parts content on their all vehicles too

uzj100 said:
I am still wating on any free lockers that are removed because A-TRAC is by far better in most situations.
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What????
 
Toyota will raise the bar on quaility and step out in front again.

This was a joke about A-TRAC being better and all lockers need to be removed and sent to me. I may have gotten my A-TRAC vs Lockers threads confused.
 
its in the right thread, i just didnt get it as being a joke because the first part of post was fairly serious.
 
LCHardriver_02 said:
Eric - Please fill me in as to why you would add the ARB to the front and not the back, if you were adding a single locker. I was under the impression (and this could be mistaken) that the back locker along with the ATRAC up front would be the best combination, not the other way around. Please explain.

Thanks,

Jonathan:popcorn:
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seems like more people use their front locker then the rear if they have both. Plus it reinforces it and makes it able to withstand more abuse without blowing up, at least thats the theory. The front tires lift off the ground more, causing all the power to go to the spinning tire, locked up equal power goes to both front tires. The back stays much more planted in comparison, it's just got the travel to do so.
 
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