another 4WD feature question...

SnowLizard

SnowLizard

New member
I'm searching and searching... but haven't found definitive.

My 99 4x4 limited, it has the AWD feature, If I'm in the AWD and a tire slips will ALL power go there? or will the vehicle auto brake that slipping tire to maintain control... or is that for other models...

I have read other places when in 4x4 and with open dif's the vehicle auto brakes one wheel to stop that wheel from slipping....

please help, I'm little confused.

if I don't have the auto-brakes, would I fair better in 4wd with rear locker engaged? or just 4wd and let the truck do it's thing...

I'm used to the 4x4 with mechanical lockers front/rear, but what type of system is best for snow/ice/mud then what other type of system is best for rocks/trails/forest
 
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ok I think I found it....

VSC Vehicle Skid Control = available in 2001-2002
A-Trac Automatic Traction Control = available 2001-2002

so my 99 limited only has ABS brakes, no A-Trac or VSC...

Can I add them to my 4runner? just reading about them sounds beneficial...
 
You would benefit more from a rear locker. Plus i don't think its possible to add A-Track or VCS to older gen 4runners or at least not easy.
 
Did '96-'00 3rd gens really not have some sort of traction control? I find that hard to believe. It's almost a necessity with open diffs.

To answer your original question OP, it depends on what you mean by snow and ice. If we are talking about snowy/icy roads, then, in my experience, my favorite mode in snow and ice is AWD, center unlocked, and rear unlocked (...I don't have the rear locker :lmao:). This is because with it in AWD with traction control on to correct any minor slipping, there is power going to all wheels, but the wheels are still allowed to turn at slightly different speeds around corners (because all differentials are unlocked). In my opinion this allows for greater stability in turning, yes, the snowy road does allow enough grip slip to have the locker on and not binding in some cases, but essentially what that does is just that, cause slip. Sometimes all it takes to lose control is a small amount of slip.

Now, if you are in a situation where you have already lost grip, then yes, a locker will usually help you get out better than any traction control system. This is because all wheels are guaranteed power (or at least the wheels on the axle that you have the locker on), unlike with an open diff, even if traction control is enabled then power may not go to all wheels ALL of the time depending on the circumstance.

So if you can manage to not lose control ever, you'll never need a locker :dance:. I kid. I want front and rear ARB's. So bad. Some day. :rockon:
 
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Oprah said:
Did '96-'00 3rd gens really not have some sort of traction control? I find that hard to believe. It's almost a necessity with open diffs.
Click to expand...

I thought so too, but no where does it say it's part of it...
Toyota 4Runner History 2001
is when it was introduced in the 4runner, the previous years don't mention anything...

thanks for your explanation on the driving, maybe more can chime in.

I'm thinking VSC was not part of the 99, that part is apparent.
But I too am on the fence of A-Trac, I know ABS is part of our trucks.

would A-Trac apply brake resistance to a slipping wheel? or ONLY VSC...
 
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ok, more things pop once I start searching the right terminology...

A-Trac and VSC coincide with eachother... period.

96-00 4runners had no traction control, just ABS.

can't retro fit A-Trac+VSC to older models, well can but just not feasible.

can't have everything on the 'older 3rd gens'...

A-Trac+VSC is good, but lockers (rear+front) are best...

This topic has been beaten to death...


I think I'll add a front ARB locker and not worry about VSC.
 
ATRAC is a brake LSD for front and rear axles. TRAC is the the brake LSD in 2WD mode. Your Runner has neither, only 01-02 have them. I don't care much for the systems personally.

Put an Eaton TrueTrac in the front and you're good.
 
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MTwEeZi said:
ATRAC is a brake LSD for front and rear axles. TRAC is the the brake LSD in 2WD mode. Your Runner has neither, only 01-02 have them. I don't care much for the systems personally.

Put an Eaton TrueTrac in the front and you're good.
Click to expand...

Thanks! didn't know there was two systems... makes sense.

the problem with the TrueTrac is I have AWD , that would 'lock' the front... I know it does allow variances but I don't think it would be good for normal driving...
 
Thumbs up to lockers. Surprising to hear that older 3rd gens didnt have traction control. My traction control is currently on the fritz due to some messed up wiring/broken speed sensors, and I definitely miss it off road. Without lockers except the center, it's difficult in frame-twisty/flexy/tire-lift situations. I haven't gotten stuck because of it, but definitely have to use that skinny petal more, which I'm not a fan of.

I only have experience with lockers on my family's ATV, but I would definitely suggest a selectable locker (read: ARB air locker). I don't know how the truetrac works, but even on the ATV I could feel the binding and felt like I was gonna break stuff if I didn't use the lockers properly, I can only imagine what kind of damage lockers can potentially cause on a 4x4 truck. That being said, a lot of people on hear seem to like truetrac and the like, so maybe theres something I'm missing, but I can't imagine having a truetrac on a daily driver
 
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I think the ATRAC is a useful feature, I'm glad mine has it. The nice part is it's always on so I can go from 35 mph to 2mph trying to get through something and it will do it's thing without having to engage it like a locker. It's helped out a few times playing in the mud and snow.
 
SnowLizard said:
ok I think I found it....



VSC Vehicle Skid Control = available in 2001-2002

A-Trac Automatic Traction Control = available 2001-2002



so my 99 limited only has ABS brakes, no A-Trac or VSC...



Can I add them to my 4runner? just reading about them sounds beneficial...
Click to expand...

Most people do the Andy mod to disable it anyway
 
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