LX470's, Diffs and ATRAC

[lndshark]

Hi folks,

I'm at the point of jumping back into wheeling and wanted some clarification on some LX470/100-Series specifics. First, some history about me:

That's my 86' RN61-L that I converted to SAS MANY, MANY years ago. As you can tell, my back yard in Manhattan Beach was quite the proving ground

The vehicle to "replace" that truck (sold in 2002, BTW) will either be an LX470, Hundy or a 4th Gen 4Runner. I'm leaning heavily toward the former and now considering which year to focus on. I'm hoping to find a truck with ATRAC. From what I can tell, 2000 was the first year for this. Correct? Is that for both the Land Cruiser and the 470 or did the LX have ATRAC standard from '98+?

Last night I found a '99 LX470 brochure online and was perusing through it (trying to get the ATRAC question answered) when I found under the specs: "limited slip differential." Huh? This was from a US-spec brochure (I'll see if I can find it and post it here).

I'd like ATRAC to run in the meantime before I add F&R ARB's. I think I can get in enough trouble with ATRAC and think it will serve me well in the interim. I've watched the videos and see that ATRAC can be useful in some situations and that's why I want to ensure which years it was offered so I don't waste my time flying somewhere to look at '98-'99 that won't be equipped with it. And this limited slip rear differential sounds hokey to me. Toyota rarely offered LSD's from the factory and why would it be standard when an e-locker was available as an option?

Thanks!

 

[duggy]

The only offering for a North American LX with the rear locker was a Canadian model

 

[Sligex]

As you have stated, yes, MY2000 was the first for the UZJ100 to have A-TRAC, on both the LC/LX.

A GREAT resource that is worth reading through is the Slee Off-Road 100 Series guide, here: http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbieUZJ100.htm

That guide has everything from year-to-year changes, to guides for how to purchase a truck (and what to look for).

Something to keep in mind is the AHC systems offered on some of these trucks has the reputation of being very expensive to fix. Most of the more hardcore enthusiasts end up ripping the system out and putting in an OME suspension to replace it (thus leaving a space under the hood for a second battery, not sure if this is something you'd like to do).

The reality is the A-TRAC is awesome, I am an avid believer in it - while it's not as useful in 2% of situations to get you out as lockers are, for most mild-medium wheeling you should be 100% fine with it.

 

[lndshark]

Thanks for the reply Sligex. I'm not too concerned about the AHC as I'd likely go with a full OME kit when funds allow. I just wanted some clarification on the ATRAC. Slee's resource page for newbies is great, I just wasn't sure if ATRAC was standard on the LX since it's introduction and phased into the Land Cruiser later on.

 

[lndshark]

The only offering for a North American LX with the rear locker was a Canadian model

That I know. I was curious about the mysterious LSD listed as standard in the Toyota literature.

 

[Ole Colony]

98 & 99 LC optional rear locker. 98 & 99 LX has LSD. 2000 and on have atrac

 

[artwerks]

BTW, the best thing about A-TRAC is that when you add lockers, the A-TRAC will still be fully functional when the lockers are open. Works like a charm!
One thing I thought I'd mentioned is the width of said vehicles. Here in CO there are a lot of trees that scratch the $h!t out of my LX. A lot of times I'm barely squeezing through trees. My buddy with a 4th gen 4-runner doesn't worry about this as it's much skinnier.
One other advantage to the 4th gen 4-runner -- if you get the v8 in the 4-runner, it is much, MUCH quicker and more powerful due to is lighter weight (its the same engine the LX/LC uses).

Just food for thought.

Aj