Originally posted by David KWith only one tire having traction... even one front tire... the A-TRAC will pull your truck out.
I'll believe it when I see it. You up for a demonstration?
Okay, open your eyes!
A-TRAC demo showing front tire in air nearly 'locked' to opposite tire with traction:
My Rubicon operates virtually the same as the Toyota A-TRAC does w/o having to toggle switches. The Rubicon Dana 44 rear axle comes with a limited
slip that is 'always active.' Have you noticed that I never locked my differentials in the sand on Shell Island? I just got in and drove. Using a
locking differential on the sand would increase my turning radius causing me to turn the steering wheel, but continue traveling in a straight line.
I think for the casual traveler of rutted dirt roads, the FJ/Tacoma works fantastic.
Originally posted by wessongroup
His wife may have seen it... she may be "thinking" too...
With all of the hoopla over Toyota quality recently, she is afraid of the brand and their legacy over quality issues. She told me she wouldn't ride
in a Toyota vehicle for fear of loss of life, etc.
With the Jeep brand...it's an entirely different story.
Anza-Borrego w/Baja Grande art designer&son, and "Mad" Mike
Berdoo Canyon Road - Joshua Tree National Park
[The wife of this driver was egging me on for having a Jeep, that I couldn't go where their Toyota could go with 35" BFG KM2s, etc. I climbed the
same loose hillclimb in the same number of tries, and showed them that my Rubicon was more capable w/33" Interco TrXus MTs, a shorter wheelbase, AND a
DROPPED CENTER SKIDPLATE!) Go Jeep!
Mrs. Cooke was proud of her husband for defending the "Jeep Honor" - "Mad" Mike walking to his Unlimited Rubicon in the background.
Parked alongside Berdoo Canyon Road/Geology Tour Road
And thanks also for your pictures.... really appreciate your sharing...
Really glad you guys get out and enjoy your vehicle, what ever it may be ......... I don't have a preference... its all about getting out and
going.... to most of us
Getting to be able to do things together which both enjoy is special ..... good for you
Keep it on the wheels ...... and keep us posted on your adventures...
Ken you're funny. I think your wife was saying she won't ride in a Toyota because she needs to be with you so she can instruct you on how to drive off
road to keep from tearing up your Jeep. Remember all the parts that need replaced or repaired.
Ken those Toyota issues were intirely invented by GM... if Nissan where the top U.S. seller, than they would have made it up on Nissan. It was
perverted what this government did. The terrible Santee accident happened because two floor mats were used instead of one in a loaner Lexus. The other
issues were no greater than those found on Fords or other makes.
When Jeeps roll... is that Jeep's fault or driver error.. taking the Jeep beyond its abilty?
I don't push any buttons either... just go into 4WD Hi on the beach and TRAC is automatic. A-TRAC is automatic when you go into Low Range once the
button is pushed one time after buying your truck. That allows people to de-activate the limited slip/ locker action when they want open
differentials... and some do prefer it that way... Toyota gives you the option.
Here are our choices... but the standard modes work fine if you don't want to push a button...
Here is what we have for drive choices (4WD Off Road TRD, '09 and newer):
2010 TRD OFF-ROAD 4WD with Hydraulic Brake Booster and 9 drive modes:
1) 2WD: VSC and TRAC active, engine regulated ('Limited Slip Lite').
2) 2WD: 'AUTO LSD' ('TRAC OFF MODE'). No engine regulation for 'strong' limited slip.
3) 2WD: 'VSC OFF MODE' (TRAC is off for 'open differential').
4) 4WD-Hi: VSC and TRAC active. No engine regulation for 'strong' limited slip.
5) 4WD-Hi: 'VSC OFF MODE' (TRAC is off for 'open differentials').
6) 4WD-Lo: VSC and TRAC are both off in L4 ('open differentials').
7) 4WD-Lo: 'A-TRAC' on gives a 'locker-like, super strong' limited slip, front and rear.
8) 4WD-Lo: Rear Differential Locked and open front differential (A-TRAC off).
9) 4WD-Lo: RR DIFF LOCK + A-TRAC on, 3 MPH limit.
You can choose how you want to wheel... open diffs, or limited slip...
YOU SEE, FREEDOM is having choices... and not needing to pay more with aftermarket additions. You can buy a Tacoma and take it straight to Mision
Santa Maria or Shell Island, without needing to buy anything else!!! My Tacomas have never broken down or been unable to take me 4 wheeling because
they were waiting for some part to be replaced on them.
The Tacoma V6 has a rear locking differential, Bilstein shocks and fog lamps retailing for $27,000.00
The FJ Cruiser V6 for $$26,680 is more 4x4 intensive w/a frame based off of the Land Cruiser Prado w/32" Tires, 3.90:1 Differential gears (manual),
4:1 Transfer Case gearing (just like the Rubicon), TORSEN limited slip system & Electronic REAR (only) Locking Differential, A-TRAC, BFG-ATs,
Bilstein shocks, and LEV emissions.
The Unlimited Rubicon retails at $28,775 and comes standard with...are you ready?
- 32" BFG Rubicon-edition Mud-Terrains
- Tru-Lock FRONT AND REAR Electric-locking differentials
- Dana 44 Front and Rear Straight axles!
- 4.10:1 Differential Gearing
- ELECTRIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT
- Mopar Rock Rails
- Steel underbody armor
- Low Speed Tuneable Monotube Mopar shocks
The Toyota is more expensive when you add the decal packages, MP3 systems, etc. But, the Rubicon is built rock-ready. I think it depends on what
someone wants.
Front lockers make trail steering near impossible... The guys with it on the Mision Santa Maria run complained that they couldn't maneuver with the
front locked... A-TRAC has no interference with steering, but provides the traction of lockers.
Anyway Ken, all I did was provide you with the evidence YOU asked for (that A-TRAC could pull a truck from a stuck with only one tire, a front tire in
the demo, having traction, and it was blocked as well...) It is as effective as front and rear lockers without hindering steering. It is just new
technology (well about 10 years old, and on Tacomas for 3) that other car owners don't understand or don't want to believe in.
In the end both our vehicles can get to Mision Santa Maria and back... they just do it differently... and while a ladder isn't needed to get into my
truck, at least your bumper didn't catch on a ledge and get pulled, like mine!
Anyway Ken, all I did was provide you with the evidence YOU asked for (that A-TRAC could pull a truck from a stuck with only one tire, a front tire in
the demo, having traction, and it was blocked as well...) It is as effective as front and rear lockers without hindering steering. It is just new
technology (well about 10 years old, and on Tacomas for 3) that other car owners don't understand or don't want to believe in.
David, Rewatch the video, and notice toward the end of the video how the driver had to power through the mogul with his REAR TIRES. I'm not sold on
the A-TRAC system. The front suspension doesn't help, either. With straight axles and a disconnect system, the FJ would be unstoppable, but the
I.F.S. and no front lockers make it not work nearly as well. But, I doubt the I.F.S. would hold up under constant load.
The video I am talking about ("How A-TRAC Works") is what I described... 3 of 4 tires are on rollers and the last tire (front right) has a block in
front.
Normal 4WD or even rear lockers on wouldn't help, but with the A-TRAC activated and a bit of gas for the sensors to detect the three wheels without
traction, torque was transfered to the only tire on firm ground... and it pulled the TUNDRA full size truck (not an FJ) over the block and off the
rollers... The video was not professionally done and the narrator mis identified what was on when he was describing... but the effect was perfect.
The other two video I included were showing with traction poor on all 4 tires (sugar sand test), you do get true four wheel drive with A-TRAC. The 3
rd video is a close up of the tires so you could see the locking action of the tire in air, which again transfers torque to the opposite tire.
Ken, I love Jeeps too... but I wanted you to see how my truck works as you didn't understand it by what you posted earlier...
Originally posted by David K
The video I am talking about ("How A-TRAC Works") is what I described... 3 of 4 tires are on rollers and the last tire (front right) has a block in
front.
My friend Kenny was over visiting - Although he is a Ford guy, he is an impartial 3rd party. When he saw that this test was on asphalt and not
hard-packed dirt, he simply laughed.
The test was on rollers where the tires would spin and the truck not move, without A-Trac or a front locker on... what difference does it make what
the rollers were placed on.
Originally posted by David K
those Toyota issues were intirely invented by GM... if Nissan where the top U.S. seller, than they would have made it up on Nissan. It was perverted
what this government did. The terrible Santee accident happened because two floor mats were used instead of one in a loaner Lexus. The other issues
were no greater than those found on Fords or other makes.
some of the toyota computers are faulty, some their designs are crap, and it is clear that toyota and feds buried evidence of defects
dk: wake up! your obsession with toyota has blinded you, toyota is not your family, toyota is a corporation without a soul.
Originally posted by David K
The test was on rollers where the tires would spin and the truck not move, without A-Trac or a front locker on... what difference does it make what
the rollers were placed on.
The bed of the Tundra was unladen, but at least the front axle had some pull to it.
Yes... and traction improves on pickups with weight in the bed... forces the back tires to bite... all the better demonstartion when the bed is empty.
Anyway... as I said way above, days ago... The A-TRAC will move you with only one tire having traction... and you can keep it on all the time you are
in Low Range... no matter how twisty the trail.
I was in Big Bear 3 weeks ago, and the stairstep I traveled was terribly off-camber and had it not been for the FRONT locking differential, my Jeep
would not have made it up Gold Mountain.
Originally posted by David K
those Toyota issues were intirely invented by GM... if Nissan where the top U.S. seller, than they would have made it up on Nissan. It was perverted
what this government did. The terrible Santee accident happened because two floor mats were used instead of one in a loaner Lexus. The other issues
were no greater than those found on Fords or other makes.
some of the toyota computers are faulty, some their designs are crap, and it is clear that toyota and feds buried evidence of defects
dk: wake up! your obsession with toyota has blinded you, toyota is not your family, toyota is a corporation without a soul.
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