extrmsob293
New member
Should i run ABS in my 96 4runner? I got some gusset spindles but came off tacoma but doesn't ABS. What is the pros and cons of not having ABS? BTW I'm planning to install Tundra Brakes soon.
ABS or No ABS?
- Thread starter extrmsob293
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It keeps your car straight in emergency braking. Also, likely it reduces stopping distances.
For offroad? Well it can play it's roll too, bad and for good. I'll let somebody more informed fill you in there.
For on-road, I don't know why people would not want it. I know in the winter up here the systems can be a pain in the ass, but our 4runners seem to have a system that isn't too intrusive, unlike my 2009 Tacoma I had with it's stupid stability control and traction control.
For offroad? Well it can play it's roll too, bad and for good. I'll let somebody more informed fill you in there.
For on-road, I don't know why people would not want it. I know in the winter up here the systems can be a pain in the ass, but our 4runners seem to have a system that isn't too intrusive, unlike my 2009 Tacoma I had with it's stupid stability control and traction control.
downpour11
New member
It's a little sketchy not having it on-road during a hard brake, so drive carefully, it takes some getting used to. Off road and in snow it's much better without it, no more locking up for no reason. What used to piss me off the most was driving in rain, and coming to a stop where there was a metal grate and the ABS completely locking up.
Not sure how into the offroading thing you are, but if the majority of your driving is on the street, I would keep your ABS.
Not sure how into the offroading thing you are, but if the majority of your driving is on the street, I would keep your ABS.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
Having driven both systems pretty extensively, I would keep the ABS if you can. The 4Runner's ABS system is not the greatest, but it sure beats locking up on the street.
As for off road, it can be a pain the the butt when your ABS fires on a steep decent. The most common scenario is a steep rock downhill with loose sand or dirt on the rock surface. Some trails in Moab have a lot of this stuff, but generally, it isn't something you run into very much. And, that said, the ABS engaging is not dangerous, it's just disconcerting when you're not expecting it. In a non ABS rig, I'll usually let off the brake completely if I start to lock up, and I basically do the same thing with ABS (manual transmission engine braking). Yes, there are certain scenarios where you'd rather have a locked wheel than ABS firing, but that's like 1 in 100. Really, not much difference.
But the on-road benefits are definitely substantial.
As for off road, it can be a pain the the butt when your ABS fires on a steep decent. The most common scenario is a steep rock downhill with loose sand or dirt on the rock surface. Some trails in Moab have a lot of this stuff, but generally, it isn't something you run into very much. And, that said, the ABS engaging is not dangerous, it's just disconcerting when you're not expecting it. In a non ABS rig, I'll usually let off the brake completely if I start to lock up, and I basically do the same thing with ABS (manual transmission engine braking). Yes, there are certain scenarios where you'd rather have a locked wheel than ABS firing, but that's like 1 in 100. Really, not much difference.
But the on-road benefits are definitely substantial.
threadlessclimber
New member
I'm a born snow driver and some abs systems suck--early Audi for example--I have a descent onto the main road and a terrible hill down to he house and with some abs systems I'd end up in the roadway or into a snow bank, if I didn't understand the abs ability to function or not but with my 99 4runner with 5speed I've never even had to adjust to it. The feeling of a petal pulsing under my foot scares me because I grew up pumping the breaks and down shifting. Snow driving's an art.
As with all my posts take this with a grain of salt. Opinions cancel out opinions.
As with all my posts take this with a grain of salt. Opinions cancel out opinions.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
The OP is in SoCal, so snow probably isn't his main concern, I would guess.
98OzarksRunner
New member
Just to throw in something else, since this is a manufacturer's safety feature (though not mandated by the government), this might be a liability issue.
If you get in an accident and someone is seriously injured or killed, and it can be shown that your disabling the ABS contributed to the accident, especially if ABS would have prevented it, you could be on the hook for buko-liability $$$. True, this could apply with any mod - an after market bumper for example - but messing with brakes is a big deal. I'd keep the ABS. It does it's job and does it well, even off-road.
If you get in an accident and someone is seriously injured or killed, and it can be shown that your disabling the ABS contributed to the accident, especially if ABS would have prevented it, you could be on the hook for buko-liability $$$. True, this could apply with any mod - an after market bumper for example - but messing with brakes is a big deal. I'd keep the ABS. It does it's job and does it well, even off-road.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
Just curious, what did you do to disable the ABS and make it able to turn back on?
Jungoes
Member
I just pulled the two jacks connected to the relay before the ABS unit, I'll plug them back in in summer, no issues with braking,
I did see your single wire mod, I'm planning to install two relays to cut the power at the abs unit, the thick blue and white wires need to be open/ closed for the switching to change on the fly, I'll get around to installing two DPDT relays or have one installed on each wire. I'll confirm if this way allows switching on/ off on the fly without restarting the vehicle when I try the mod.
I did see your single wire mod, I'm planning to install two relays to cut the power at the abs unit, the thick blue and white wires need to be open/ closed for the switching to change on the fly, I'll get around to installing two DPDT relays or have one installed on each wire. I'll confirm if this way allows switching on/ off on the fly without restarting the vehicle when I try the mod.
