Dave Bennett
Adventurist
Anybody see or drive the TRD FJ Cruiser yet? Impressions?
I know it's something like a $7,200 option... :smileeek:
I know it's something like a $7,200 option... :smileeek:
Trd Fj
- Thread starter Dave Bennett
- Start date
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
BOOKOO INFO
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/
I had the pleasure of taking 19 - yes, 19, TRD equiped FJ's for a mild trail ride in May. They all used the A-Trac and or the rear locker to climb a steep loose hill. As I spotted them thru the worst point the A-Trac showed it work very well - as the rigs Lifted a tire the ABS system locked it and transfered the torque to the wheel on the ground.
The good news is that you don't HAVE to pay for the option! It's already wired into the system if you get the base TRD package. All that's required to activate it is the factory switch!!! Plug it in, turn it on. The FJ forums have found a dealer that will sell just the switch.
The rear locker is the same unit found on the Tacos, and the same type of mod will allow it to work in 2x4 Hi or 4x4 Hi. Again, check the FJ forums for details.
As with the 05 Taco, visability is an issue. I guess you'd get used to it tho...
Also, the rear lower link is very prone to being bent. Sonoran Steel has the cure - heavy wall DOM replacements with Rubicon Express flex joints. I'd also advise building a skid for the lower link mount - it's built to hang up the rig pretty easy.
Same motor/tranny as the Taco - great power compaired to the 3.4L.
Overall, I like'm!
Mark
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/
I had the pleasure of taking 19 - yes, 19, TRD equiped FJ's for a mild trail ride in May. They all used the A-Trac and or the rear locker to climb a steep loose hill. As I spotted them thru the worst point the A-Trac showed it work very well - as the rigs Lifted a tire the ABS system locked it and transfered the torque to the wheel on the ground.
The good news is that you don't HAVE to pay for the option! It's already wired into the system if you get the base TRD package. All that's required to activate it is the factory switch!!! Plug it in, turn it on. The FJ forums have found a dealer that will sell just the switch.
The rear locker is the same unit found on the Tacos, and the same type of mod will allow it to work in 2x4 Hi or 4x4 Hi. Again, check the FJ forums for details.
As with the 05 Taco, visability is an issue. I guess you'd get used to it tho...
Also, the rear lower link is very prone to being bent. Sonoran Steel has the cure - heavy wall DOM replacements with Rubicon Express flex joints. I'd also advise building a skid for the lower link mount - it's built to hang up the rig pretty easy.
Same motor/tranny as the Taco - great power compaired to the 3.4L.
Overall, I like'm!
Mark
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
All the newer 4Runners I've wheeled with have gone everywhere with A-Trac... Very impressive system (I didnt think they'd make it!) 
Robthebrit
Explorer
asteffes,
A-Trac and the other similar systems use either an open or limited slip diff (typically open), when a wheel loses traction the computers lock the wheel by applying the brake on that wheel which forces the other wheel to rotate. Alot of its off road ability comes from the speed at which the control systems can adjust things. These systems are extensions of the controlled descent and traction control systems, the same computers and mecahnics are used but applied to an offroad environment.
These systems are typically not as good as full locking diffs but you as the driver don't have to think about them, however they do get better year after year but there are inherent problems with applying the brakes. As you can imagine there is a huge difference in locking a wheel with the brake and forcing that wheel to go around with a locking diff. These systems can also have problems with none trivial situations, what happens if you are in mud and no wheel has traction? Applying the brakes to all 4 wheels will get you nowhere - literally! Each of the various systems has specific rules for handling these fringe situations but nobody will ever tell you what they are and each of the various systems vary greatly.
The type of center diff plays a huge role in how these systems work, ultimately understanding the system in your vehicle and adjusting your driving style as necessary is the best approach (as always). If you simply drive and expect the computer to do everything then you are heading for trouble. Of course this is equally true with a locking diff.
Rob
A-Trac and the other similar systems use either an open or limited slip diff (typically open), when a wheel loses traction the computers lock the wheel by applying the brake on that wheel which forces the other wheel to rotate. Alot of its off road ability comes from the speed at which the control systems can adjust things. These systems are extensions of the controlled descent and traction control systems, the same computers and mecahnics are used but applied to an offroad environment.
These systems are typically not as good as full locking diffs but you as the driver don't have to think about them, however they do get better year after year but there are inherent problems with applying the brakes. As you can imagine there is a huge difference in locking a wheel with the brake and forcing that wheel to go around with a locking diff. These systems can also have problems with none trivial situations, what happens if you are in mud and no wheel has traction? Applying the brakes to all 4 wheels will get you nowhere - literally! Each of the various systems has specific rules for handling these fringe situations but nobody will ever tell you what they are and each of the various systems vary greatly.
The type of center diff plays a huge role in how these systems work, ultimately understanding the system in your vehicle and adjusting your driving style as necessary is the best approach (as always). If you simply drive and expect the computer to do everything then you are heading for trouble. Of course this is equally true with a locking diff.
Rob
Scott Brady
Founder
Robthebrit said:
The Toyota system disengages when applying the brakes, even lightly. It also allows for wheel spin at higher RPM's (based on TPS).
Some of the domestic systems will literally get the vehicle stuck in sand or mud.
Ryanmb21
Expedition Leader
Here is a good thread regarding ATRAC if anybody is interested...
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25
bootzilla
Adventurer
I am about to read that thread on ATrac, but my Land Rover had open diffs with a traction control system, and I have to say that it was darn impressive - it got me through and over stuff I probably had no business trying in my little Freelander. :truck:
It definitely makes things easier off road - but I don't think it is a crutch, per sae - for those who are a little more ambitious, it takes care of the mechanical stuff while you concentrate on lines and wheel placement, so together you can bring it back in one piece.
I'm not sure it is worth 7,200, though - I thought it was standard on manual tranny models - am I wrong about that? If so, then you could get the manual tranny, and spend way less than 7,200 on a killer suspension, BFG's and rock sliders...I like the white roof, anyways...
It definitely makes things easier off road - but I don't think it is a crutch, per sae - for those who are a little more ambitious, it takes care of the mechanical stuff while you concentrate on lines and wheel placement, so together you can bring it back in one piece.
I'm not sure it is worth 7,200, though - I thought it was standard on manual tranny models - am I wrong about that? If so, then you could get the manual tranny, and spend way less than 7,200 on a killer suspension, BFG's and rock sliders...I like the white roof, anyways...
Not to bring this one back from the dead but I just made the mistake of driving one yesterday.
To be honest I really wasn't expecting to like it that much. The quirky styling I was kind of neutral on before, but the truck seemed like a decent package. With the black-out treatment and gunmetal wheels this thing looked awesome in person, much better than I imagined. The interior fit me well and the poor visibility was the only thing that really bothered me. The TRD exhaust sounds very nice and the road noise from the BFG AT's is nothing compared to the jeep. Ride was very smooth as was the 5speed automatic. When you start adding up all the options the $32k price tag doesn't seem too bad.
The salesman kept droning on and on about how it will be a future collectors item and how it's like a mini hummer. But at least he was knowledgable about the vehicle itself and wasn't as arrogant as the last one I talked to about an FJ cruiser that started bashing my Jeep.
If I had my way, I would've driven it home with me. :yikes:
To be honest I really wasn't expecting to like it that much. The quirky styling I was kind of neutral on before, but the truck seemed like a decent package. With the black-out treatment and gunmetal wheels this thing looked awesome in person, much better than I imagined. The interior fit me well and the poor visibility was the only thing that really bothered me. The TRD exhaust sounds very nice and the road noise from the BFG AT's is nothing compared to the jeep. Ride was very smooth as was the 5speed automatic. When you start adding up all the options the $32k price tag doesn't seem too bad.
The salesman kept droning on and on about how it will be a future collectors item and how it's like a mini hummer. But at least he was knowledgable about the vehicle itself and wasn't as arrogant as the last one I talked to about an FJ cruiser that started bashing my Jeep.
If I had my way, I would've driven it home with me. :yikes:
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rusty_tlc
Explorer
I did the ATRAC mod on an FJC, it literaly takes longer to describe than to do. It only works on rigs with factory lockers. CDAN on IH8mud sells the switch for $30 IIRC. Not for a $400 option that takes thirty seconds to install. BTW any push botton switch would work, there are several articles on the web that give the details.
When I went on a trial run with the guy I was very impressed. He still had street tires on and went over stuff the would stop any other stock rig IMHO.
When I went on a trial run with the guy I was very impressed. He still had street tires on and went over stuff the would stop any other stock rig IMHO.
