E locker vs turning vsc off.
Please explain exactly what an e locker does that is stock on the 2000 and earlier model 4 runners.
I have a 2001 model with no e locker. I can turn off VSC from the button. If I do that, does that put power to each wheel reguardless if one wheel is stuck in the mud. Please help me understand.
Thanks Justin.:AK47:
Imagine an axle...one wheel is on dry land; the other wheel on the other end of the axle is in deep mud (thus is spinning and having no traction).
A locker locks the right and left wheel together on the same axle. Thus, despite the slipping wheel, the other tire has plenty of power to push your vehicle forward.
4-wheel traction control (aka ATRAC or TRAC) will use the ABS sensors and brakes to slow down the wheel that is spinning/slipping to "push" torque flow to the other wheel on the same axle. Thus, despite the slipping wheel, the other tire has "enough" power to push your vehicle forward.
The difference? A locker provides 100% of torque sent to that axle to BOTH wheels. ATRAC attempts to do this, but falls short due to heat loss (from the braking action) and the fact that it does not stop the slipping wheel completely for a length of time; therefore, the torque "transfer" is not complete. As noted by Hummer brochure in the past, a H2 can only make up a 10% grade with only one wheel traction (aka 3 other wheels slipping) while using ATRAC. With an axle, in theory, you don't have this limitation...because 100% of torque that is sent to a locked axle is available to BOTH tires on that axle.
So, what does this all mean? Is your vehicle a POS?
No, because you can always add an aftermarket locker (to your rear axle)...but, an earlier 4runner cannot add ATRAC. ATRAC is very useful in bad weather and in mild off-roading (such as going to camping site etc.). A locker is ONLY truly useful when you go off-roading (since the E-locker can only be activated when in 4-LO). In addition, if you forget to turn OFF the locker when you make a turn on dry land, then it can cause binding. This is not a problem for traction control. A locker can be dangerous in foul weather if used wrongly.
In other words, if you add a rear locker to your 4runner, then it is like having cake and eat it too because your 4runner will be just as capable as earlier 4runners, while providing more safety features (see below).
ATRAC-equipped vehicle (aka your 4runner) has these advantages over the earlier 4runners:
1. 4-channel ABS
2. VSC (stability control)
Hope this helps.
