ATRAC fail or driver error?

[ProspectiveBuyer]

https://youtu.be/hsz0xuz-BIg?t=1m9s

and https://youtu.be/hsz0xuz-BIg?t=2m14s


That's a Limited Sequoia, with locker on the center diff and ATRAC (kinda like the Limited 4Runner). Either the front or the rear wheel slips on one side.

If the driver did everything right, then clearly ATRAC is no replacement for a rear locker. Since the only model with a rear locker is the Trail edition, I wonder if a non-trail 4Runner would have fared any better than the Sequoia.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I'm not very familiar with the Sequoia, do they have ATRAC or is it just TRAC or whatever it was previously called. Some of the shots almost looked like the front diff was not engaged either.

While I feel there is no real replacement for a tried and true locker, it's surprising how well the traction control works on my 2008 4runner. I'Ve been in similar, maybe even worse, areas and my 4runner had no issues getting through.

 

[drsus]

That's a Limited Sequoia, with locker on the center diff and ATRAC (kinda like the Limited 4Runner). Either the front or the rear wheel slips on one side.

If the driver did everything right, then clearly ATRAC is no replacement for a rear locker. Since the only model with a rear locker is the Trail edition, I wonder if a non-trail 4Runner would have fared any better than the Sequoia.

This Sequia might have Atrac but the owner didn't have it engaged, this video doesn't show Atrac working, if it was, the front wheel wouldn't be spinning, Atrac would've stopped it...at least the way atrac worked on my tacoma and now the 4r, that wheel wouldn't spin.

not sure what system the Hummer uses but that one had its "wheel control" system engaged and so did the FJ. you can see the trucks controlling the spins when the wheels get loose or loose contact.

heres what the wheels look like when atrac is at least engaged
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxmgJwNXVRw

whether Atrac is any good or not is different conversation. i happen to think it works great, but not as good as an actual locker. The advantage of atrac over a locker, if you want one, is that you won't brake hard parts. An inexperienced driver will almost certainly snap parts on a stuck and locked diff, seen it way to many times.

as far as your question about driver error? yes, and not just by not engaging atrac.

 

[keyser_soze]

https://youtu.be/hsz0xuz-BIg?t=1m9s

and https://youtu.be/hsz0xuz-BIg?t=2m14s

If the driver did everything right, then clearly ATRAC is no replacement for a rear locker. Since the only model with a rear locker is the Trail edition, I wonder if a non-trail 4Runner would have fared any better than the Sequoia.

It doesnt look like the Sequoia had ATRAC engaged. If he did it looked like he was giving it too much throttle for it to work properly. I find it works best at with a steady foot at around 2000 rpm and with a tiny bit of left foot brake.

It also looks like he didnt air down his tires very much, and it looks like he has very mild AT tires as well.... all those things add up to mediocre off-road performance.

My SR5 has no problems with a tire off the ground even in low traction conditions

 

[mnofpeace]

+1...doesnt look like he has ATRAC engaged, in 4Lo even...

or

yes, it is failing him.



i was in that situation about a month ago...i could hear the distinct bump clank of the anti locks braking and poof, power was rerouted within about half a second...

that is a much older model seq, maybe he needs to get it checked, or it has been improved upon over the years--im sure

 

[wfo9]

There were many thing going wrong there, but I did not see ATRAC working like it does on the 5th gens... Did not even look like he was in 4Lo. .Even if it was, the tires on that pig were not adequate. The h3 rolled it like it like it was nothing, then again some of those are bad ass out of the box with with front and rear lockers, 4:1 tcase... (really wish they did not kill the hummer brand, so much potential there).

 

[3wbdriver]

Did ATRAC even exist before the 07 FJ? Much less on the earlier Tundra/Sequoia?

 

[tristero]

Since the only model with a rear locker is the Trail edition, I wonder if a non-trail 4Runner would have fared any better than the Sequoia.

The Sequoia weighs way more than the 5th gen—they're heavy, too heavy to be doing rattlesnake on passenger tires. ATRAC hasn't failed me yet.

 

[wfo9]

Did ATRAC even exist before the 07 FJ? Much less on the earlier Tundra/Sequoia?

Not an expert on this, but I'm pretty sure it has been around for a long time. It was on early 100 LCs around 02... However, I think it has improved quite a bit over the years, It seemed to be not so great on the early FJs... and it seemed to get way better around 2010... At least that is what I have observed. Don't know the details...In theory, it could be different every year since it is mainly software.

 

[phillyd2]

Don't know what the Sequoia had but ATRAC sometimes needs the skinny pedal pressed and then pressed harder and longer for it to all activate and work in those sort of situations.

Even the FJ guy trying to climb the rock in the second video only gave it short gas and then gave up / backed down.

Unlike with lockers, especially front, with ATRAC there is no need to be afraid of adding power.

Search my build thread for a video of a rented stock SR5 at the Overland Expo where you can see what adding more power will do.