Ryan_S
New member
Are they?? I'm pretty sure they are the same thing.
A-trac in Sand?
- Thread starter OldNo7
- Start date
Are they?? I'm pretty sure they are the same thing.
Thai
Elite Member
Well, i only assume that because there is a difference in ground clearance b/w TE and SR5/Limited. I don't think that the difference can be accounted for on just tires alone...but i could be wrong.
sandcrawler
Senior Member
think the ground clearance is identical across all trim lines, however the more tucked-up (and befitting, imho) F/R bumper skirts & rocker panels on the TE gives it the edge in approach/departure angles.
My fears confirmed...Sounds like ATRAC may actually cause me to get stuck if the braking causes loss of momentum.
Will ATrac allow both wheels on an axle to spin, as long as they're spinning together? On Sand usually both wheels have similar traction, so if their both spinning simultaneously will ATRAC brake each wheel while searching for traction, or allow both to spin a bit?
What about if the SR5 4runner was left in 4hi, would it then act just like open front and rear differentials?
They new 4runners look awesome, I'm just not a fan of all these electronic doo-dads. With the 4runners reputation of offroad ability, I'm surprised Toyota doesn't offer the locker as an option on all models. Even on the Trail is only active in 4lo. I'd hate to void my warranty by modding it to work in 4hi.
Ryan_S
New member
Trail Limited
Off-Highway
Approach/departure angle (degrees) 33/26 25/24
Ground clearance (in.) 9.6 9.6
SeattleMike
New member
The TE has a selector that allows for more wheel spin in sand. I haven't played with it yet, but the engineers obviously recognized the need and included the Multi-Terrain Select to allow more spin or less spin depending on where you are actually driving.
bigbwb
Member
I cannot comment on the TE in sand yet, but played around with A-trac and MTS in snow quite a few times this year so far in WI. MTS is pretty slick, I found allowing it to control the wheel spin & throttle allowed me to climb some snowy hills with better success than me doing it. One spot in particular I continued to get stuck with me controlling the gas, I then tried MTS and made it further.... not very scientific but just like in sand, when you start to spin too much in snow, you sink down and create a rut which gets you stuck or slows you down.
MTS with the rear diff locked is very effective....I cant wait to play more this summer!
MTS with the rear diff locked is very effective....I cant wait to play more this summer!
JB.
New member
OldNo7,
I think the only issue may be whether you need a rear locker or not. I spent an afternoon at Pismo once in my 4th gen which included getting stuck on the upside of a couple of big hills (just backed out of them) and I don't recall ATRAC ever engaging (I stayed mostly in high range, though). It's certainly never engaged in any other sand I've encountered. I can't imagine there being much opportunity in sand for a lot of wheel speed difference (that's all that ATRAC looks at) while in motion. All the tires are weighted nearly the same on a flat, consistent surface. The only time I see ATRAC engaging is after you're stuck. The experience might be different with 5th gen ATRAC tuning, but I'd bet you'd never hear it while moving. Even if that's not the case, disconnection is easy enough for a day in the sand.
I think the only issue may be whether you need a rear locker or not. I spent an afternoon at Pismo once in my 4th gen which included getting stuck on the upside of a couple of big hills (just backed out of them) and I don't recall ATRAC ever engaging (I stayed mostly in high range, though). It's certainly never engaged in any other sand I've encountered. I can't imagine there being much opportunity in sand for a lot of wheel speed difference (that's all that ATRAC looks at) while in motion. All the tires are weighted nearly the same on a flat, consistent surface. The only time I see ATRAC engaging is after you're stuck. The experience might be different with 5th gen ATRAC tuning, but I'd bet you'd never hear it while moving. Even if that's not the case, disconnection is easy enough for a day in the sand.
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Thai
Elite Member
Oops, i stand corrected.
jca21
New member
i dunno about this one.. why would you want to be locked in 4hi? there is a mod out there called the "gray wire" mod that apparently lets you engage the locker in 4lo AND 4hi.
however, most driving situations i've been in that required a locker usually required me to be in 4lo as well.
i'd say more than anything you should invest into a good set of tires if you want to hit the sand, mud and dirt. the HT tires that come on the trail dont do it justice and neither do the tires that come on the Sr5. with good tires, airing down and some careful driving i cant see you getting stuck too often.
down the road, if you feel that you need it you can throw in an ARB air locker into the back. or maybe even order in an OEM elocker and install it if the diffs are the same?
harper7
Senior Member
To the OP ,I just noticed you were in Texas.We spent Christmas/New Years down on South Padre Island and had no problems wheelin thru the deep sand at all with a Limited and BFG AT's. No need to even put her in 4Hi or air down.It has the full time 4WD though.Drove the whole perimeter of the island every day.
<a href="http://s420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/?action=view¤t=Picture058.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/Picture058.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/?action=view¤t=Picture058.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/Picture058.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
On my '03, locking the center diff turns off ESP, which thus lets you have more wheelspin before the electronics shut off the throttle.
On the beach you are better off with a street tire than an aggressive offroad tire. Just air down. I air down 15 PSI. We're on the beach every day for two weeks each year. I have never been close to getting stuck. Not once.
Overkill for the beach. The beach isn't the Rubicon.
Good to know, Thanks Harper. That picture belongs in the sales brochure! The BFG AT KO are definately my tire of choice, really a great all purpose tire. I was planning to have the dealer put a set on before the 4runner comes home with me.
I really appreciate all the feedback from all of you. Sounds like 4hi with the BFG's aired down should get me through most places. I think i've talked myself into going for the Trail though, for the added comfort of having a locker back there. Now I'll have to convince my better half that we don't need that 3rd row. I see a Highlander in her near future...
Thanks ya'll.:hatsoff:
