Is ATRAC best avoided?

[Ozark_Prowler]

I've heard multiple accounts on ih8mud of ATRAC possibly overloading the ring and pinion on the 00+ 100 series (see below). This has made me look out for 98-99 examples with the rear locker to avoid the complexity of traction control. How much of a concern is this on the 100 series, as well as other models like the 5th gen 4runner, etc.? Is it better to look for an older model with old-school lockers?

Having said that, maybe ATRAC would be better for some situations, like a slippery shaly hill climb where a locked rig would just spin the wheels?

 

[tacollie]

I'm a little skeptical of those findings. Sounds like a a heavy throttle issue. Our '00 100 series had over 265k on the clock when we sold it. It was heavy and had 34-in mud terrains for a good portion of its life. Everything that broke was related to weight and lack of ground clearance. I'm going off memory and could be wrong but didn't the 100 get us stronger front diff in 2000? Seems like that would be worth it to me.

As far as a-trac I don't see a problem with it. I had it in two Tacomas. I think it works better in the newer vehicles than it did in the 100 series. It's a good tool especially with a rear locker. Maybe I like it better on my Tacomas because I also had a rear locker. I would target have lockers than A-trac.

 

[dylans]

I’ve got 2013 4Runner Trail and have owned it for 6 years. Plenty of off-road driving from basic dirt roads to some heavier stuff (like wheels off the ground, hung up on my sliders over a shelf type of stuff). I’ve used the locker and ATrac together, and ATrac by itself and haven’t had any weird scary break stuff things happen. I trust it, and really like the feature. It’s saved me and kept me moving many times.

 

[bkg]

I call complete and utter BS on the claim.

 

[Ozark_Prowler]

I call complete and utter BS on the claim.

Idk, it was a highly respected Land Cruiser specialist who made the post shown above. Maybe it was a teething issue with the early ATRAC systems on the 100 series.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Idk, it was a highly respected Land Cruiser specialist who made the post shown above. Maybe it was a teething issue with the early ATRAC systems on the 100 series.

If I remember correctly one or two years had some issues, I think 03-04 models are fine. I have no concerns with mine, I seen tacomas snap an axle using the e locker and too much skinny pedal.

 

[bkg]

Idk, it was a highly respected Land Cruiser specialist who made the post shown above. Maybe it was a teething issue with the early ATRAC systems on the 100 series.

I’m sure there have been failures… everything has SOME failures.

But 7 in a single storm, including on driveways?

Bull. Just complete bull.

 

[sn_85]

ATRAC is fine. I'd trust Toyota engineers over some bloke on mud that claims ATRAC was at fault. What evidence do they have, other than coincidence, that ATRAC was the culprit? Correlation is not causation.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

I say yes, go old school if yer ego can handle it.

I have read so many horror stories of anything computer controlled I'd never leave town in anything new. The Wrangler was often years behind everyone else in technology, my '06 TJR has none, not even ABS..... I love it. Altho I'd welcome ABS.

I'll never buy anything newer. I have no trouble trusting MY judgement.... But I hate trusting the judgement of some IT geek in Swaziland.

I had a 2000 model TJ- you are kidding yourself if you think it doesn’t have plenty of electronics in it.

 

[AggieOE]

I say yes, go old school if yer ego can handle it.

I have read so many horror stories of anything computer controlled I'd never leave town in anything new. The Wrangler was often years behind everyone else in technology, my '06 TJR has none, not even ABS..... I love it. Altho I'd welcome ABS.

I'll never buy anything newer. I have no trouble trusting MY judgement.... But I hate trusting the judgement of some IT geek in Swaziland.

Newer than '06? FYI, there are a lot of automobile engineers outside of Swaziland. Many happen to be educated, reliability-focused, and even enthusiasts of their own products.

A-Trac has worked perfectly well the few times I've used it. So has ABS, Traction Control, Stability Control, TMPS, Fuel Injection, fly-by-wire throttle, electronically engaging lockers, power windows, etc. lol That being said, I think I get you. I do often get annoyed with error-induced limp modes and touch-screen-only controls. I think I counted 7 touches in my brother's Rivian to adjust the seat position. Technology has its uses but so do mechanics. OBD readers and message-clearing abilities are a Godsend.

 

[jim65wagon]

I've got a 2014 Tacoma and the ATRAC in it has worked flawlessly. It's a little noisy, and sounds scary the first few times it works, but I like it. With the rear locker on and ATRAC on it crawls over stuff pretty well.

Sent from my SM-G986U1 using Tapatalk

 

[aknightinak]

I see "they just snapped a tooth due while tires were spinning and grabbing traction on snowed in roads" and think two things:

1) Duh.
2) English, does this Mud H8er speak it?