How to disable A-TRAC?

[Inv4drZm]

I feel like I'm swimming in all these VSC-off threads searching for my answers to a simple question...

Is it possible to disable ATRAC (with or without disabling other nannies) and not have to restart my truck to reset the system?​

Basically a factory ATRAC off function like the FJ's have. How would I wire that? Mine doesn't have the factory VSC button some 4Runners have that allows you to hold it down for 10 seconds and disable everything.

If it disable ABS that would be cool too, come to think of it.

 

[duffdog]

You don't want to disable atrac, you want to disable VSC. Which, if you have a 4x4, all you do is lock the center diff. If you want to disable VSC in 2wd, just buy a 'VSC OFF' button from a junkyard from an 06+ 4wd and plug it in the dash. Theres a thread on it somewhere.

Why do you want to disable the ATRAC?

 

[Inv4drZm]

You don't want to disable atrac, you want to disable VSC. Which, if you have a 4x4, all you do is lock the center diff. If you want to disable VSC in 2wd, just buy a 'VSC OFF' button from a junkyard from an 06+ 4wd and plug it in the dash. Theres a thread on it somewhere.

Why do you want to disable the ATRAC?

I feel it bogs momentum down on loose rocky hill climbs offroad.

Most of the time I feel ATRAC is helpful but I would like to play around with turning it off sometimes.

If the FJ's have the button, why can't I?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Does the normal VSC off mod disable ATRAC for you guys that have it?

 

[chaz]

atrac doesnt work after about 3000 rpm, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/5036-how-does-atrac-work.html do what duffdog said. or just pull the plug in the engine when you dont want the nannies, but remember you have open diffs. either way you shouldnt be having too much trouble in 4wd, sounds like maybe you should look into a rear locker.

 

[EdmundGTP]

Does the normal VSC off mod disable ATRAC for you guys that have it?

No. ATRAC system remains intact.

I too tend to find ATRAC to get a bit annoying at times on steep climbs over loose surface. In most situations it does what it's supposed to, but there are some instances when it kicks in and I can't help but shake my head and swear at it.

 

[duffdog]

No. ATRAC system remains intact.

I too tend to find ATRAC to get a bit annoying at times on steep climbs over loose surface. In most situations it does what it's supposed to, but there are some instances when it kicks in and I can't help but shake my head and swear at it.

In my opinion, if ATRAC can't get you up the hill, you were never going to get up the hill with any vehicle or with any traction device other than a winch. I was wheeling with 10 jeeps that all had at least 38" tires and front and rear lockers AND aired down to 15psi. There was a very long, muddy hill that was over 30 degrees steep and my 4th gen 4runner was the only truck to make it up the hill. I literally had to go back down the hill and tow all the jeeps up the hill with the atrac beeping the whole time. All the jeeps had lockers engaged and it made absolutely no difference, all 4 tires were spinning on all of those trucks and they were just sliding back down the hill like it was ice. I feel that the only reason I made it was because the atrac was playing with the abs and keeping the truck going forward just enough to get a tiny bit of traction. BTW-- I also have a rear elocker in my truck, I rarely use it because I rarely get stuck in a way that it would help.

 

[EdmundGTP]

In my opinion, if ATRAC can't get you up the hill, you were never going to get up the hill with any vehicle or with any traction device other than a winch. I was wheeling with 10 jeeps that all had at least 38" tires and front and rear lockers AND aired down to 15psi. There was a very long, muddy hill that was over 30 degrees steep and my 4th gen 4runner was the only truck to make it up the hill. I literally had to go back down the hill and tow all the jeeps up the hill with the atrac beeping the whole time. All the jeeps had lockers engaged and it made absolutely no difference, all 4 tires were spinning on all of those trucks and they were just sliding back down the hill like it was ice. I feel that the only reason I made it was because the atrac was playing with the abs and keeping the truck going forward just enough to get a tiny bit of traction. BTW-- I also have a rear elocker in my truck, I rarely use it because I rarely get stuck in a way that it would help.

ok

:shrug:

 

[duffdog]

ok

:shrug:

I guess I responded to the wrong post. :jk:

 

[LOSTR4]

I bought a factory VSC_Off button, converted it to a pop-lock switch in-lieu of the momentary switch, spliced a wire into the VSC nanny under the passenger-side glove box panel and wallah! It works flawlessly without the need to restart the truck to reset it...I just have to turn the switch off...

The only annoyance is the center diff-lock light shines but is not actually engaged...Kliv made a module that would trick the computer to NOT show the center diff-lock when VSC is toggled off...I have that module but have not installed it yet...

Nonetheless, you want ATRAC, you do not want VSC permanently on...ATRAC is great when VSC can be toggled...

This is the easiest set of directions and it's honestly not hard...just knowing where to look is the toughest...once you see it...it's stupid easy without any cutting...just a splice:

VSC Disable on Pre 2008 4Runners - Page 10 - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

If you send me your email I can send you a more detailed write up I used and it's easier than you think...took me 10 min...the hardest part is getting the factory button to light up...and that just plugs in...

Good Luck!

 

[Inv4drZm]

Pretty sure I want an ATRAC off switch. ATRAC isn't the best all the time. Most of the time it works fantastic. Sometimes I feel it slows me down. It would be nice to easily select it on or off.

Real-life example 1.)

Following my brother's FJ up this hill. He made it easily with elocker on and ATRAC off. When at first he had ATRAC on, his momentum slowed down a bunch. Turned it off, crawled right up no problem.

My turn. I tried to let ATRAC do its thing with steady throttle input. Not even close to making it. I bumped that large rock quite a few times which was about half way up, and finally made it up to the root on the last run-up when my brother had to winch me up. The time I made it to the root was when I was at 4000rpm above the ATRAC limit. A similar thing happened three times that day. Each time resulting in winch-shame. FJ-3 4R-0



Real-life example 2.)

I was following two FJ's up this loose and rocky hill in Colorado. The lead FJ, having been wheeling there before, recommended turning off ATRAC and locking the rear diff. Yes, locking the rear diff probably helped a lot. But yes, turning off ATRAC helped too. Without my fancy buttons and lockers, my truck slowed to less than a crawl with ATRAC going off the whole way up and RPM nearing 3000. I shifted to the lowest gear to get the RPM above ATRAC but didn't feel comfortable driving fast through through the rocks at 4000 RPM.




I really can't afford an air locker right now, and a frugal elocker retrofit is still a bit much $. I'm thinking for now I can dink around with an ATRAC off switch until I get lockers. I'll continue to do more research.

If I want VSC off I'll just lock the center diff, most of the time its locked anyway while offroad.

Sorry, rant over.:dance:

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

Pretty sure I want an ATRAC off switch. ATRAC isn't the best all the time. Most of the time it works fantastic. Sometimes I feel it slows me down. It would be nice to easily select it on or off.

Real-life example 1.)

Following my brother's FJ up this hill. He made it easily with elocker on and ATRAC off. When at first he had ATRAC on, his momentum slowed down a bunch. Turned it off, crawled right up no problem.

My turn. I tried to let ATRAC do its thing with steady throttle input. Not even close to making it. I bumped that large rock quite a few times which was about half way up, and finally made it up to the root on the last run-up when my brother had to winch me up. The time I made it to the root was when I was at 4000rpm above the ATRAC limit. A similar thing happened three times that day. Each time resulting in winch-shame. FJ-3 4R-0



Real-life example 2.)

I was following two FJ's up this loose and rocky hill in Colorado. The lead FJ, having been wheeling there before, recommended turning off ATRAC and locking the rear diff. Yes, locking the rear diff probably helped a lot. But yes, turning off ATRAC helped too. Without my fancy buttons and lockers, my truck slowed to less than a crawl with ATRAC going off the whole way up and RPM nearing 3000. I shifted to the lowest gear to get the RPM above ATRAC but didn't feel comfortable driving fast through through the rocks at 4000 RPM.




I really can't afford an air locker right now, and a frugal elocker retrofit is still a bit much $. I'm thinking for now I can dink around with an ATRAC off switch until I get lockers. I'll continue to do more research.

If I want VSC off I'll just lock the center diff, most of the time its locked anyway while offroad.

Sorry, rant over.:dance:

honestly a locker is gonna be the only solution to your issue on steep climbs. i tried it with the VSC/ATRAC disabled before i did my elocker and not having ATRAC just made the issue worse. once you bounce or slip a little you lose momentum and have nothing to help you. having the elocker in makes everything 100x better and easier. since i did it a year ago i've never stalled out on steep, slippery/ rocky climbs. id just live with the ATRAC for now till you can afford the elocker, air is for nerds

 

[Inv4drZm]

Just read an article that said the 2009 Trail Edition has a button activated A-TRAC system like the FJ. (Plus the e-locker of course). Maybe I should trade mine?

 

[green_manalishi]

Are you guys in 4low center locked when struggling? It's documented that A-trac is more aggressive in 4low than 4hi


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[t-man]

I broke an abs sensor and my atrac hasn't worked in over a year. I have a ton of sandy hills around here and I can tell you it climbs WAYYYY better with no atrac to slow it down. Mud as well, but, if you get a tire off the ground then you are spinning because the atrac can't hit the brake on that tire. It has it's benefits, but also has many situations where it is more of an issue than it's worth. Without atrac working I rarely to if ever lock my center dif. I blast right through everything without issue. Also, you can do some wicked "cyclone" donuts with it off!!!! lol Definitely worth a switch to shut it off, although restarting to make the light go off doesn't really bother me in the least.

 

[Charles4x4]

Just read an article that said the 2009 Trail Edition has a button activated A-TRAC system like the FJ. (Plus the e-locker of course). Maybe I should trade mine?

Old thread alert. Did anyone ever solve this? I need to add a toggle switch that allows me to turn ATRAC off when desired.

I also want to turn VSC off at all times on my '06 V8 for King of the Hammers - but I already have a button for that.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Old thread alert. Did anyone ever solve this? I need to add a toggle switch that allows me to turn ATRAC off when desired.

I also want to turn VSC off at all times on my '06 V8 for King of the Hammers - but I already have a button for that.

I haven't really looked for a solution after I last posted in this thread, but I am still interested to see if anybody has done something like this.

 

[Charles4x4]

I haven't really looked for a solution after I last posted in this thread, but I am still interested to see if anybody has done something like this.

You’re probably way ahead of me, but:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...thout-damaging-factory-wiring.html#post810758

- Allows you to turn all off, but I don’t like having to turn the ignition off and back on in race conditions.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ssories/41357-vsc-off-atrac-mod-complete.html

- Allows VSC/TRACOff, but ATRAC On

1) Has anyone figured out All Off without having to turn the ignition off and back on?
2) Can I do both so I can select which mode?
3) If I swap to an Atlas II, will some/all of this automatically go away?

As mentioned, it is ideal for us to have ATRAC selectable and ALL ELSE OFF (recall we’ll have ARBs front and rear for the hard stuff).

 

[duffdog]

All you have to do is put a switch on the harness that interrupts the wheel speed sensor signals. Thats it. Nothing else is required. The light will illuminate on the dash and you will have no VSC and no Atrac.

 

[Charles4x4]

All you have to do is put a switch on the harness that interrupts the wheel speed sensor signals. Thats it. Nothing else is required. The light will illuminate on the dash and you will have no VSC and no Atrac.

That turns all off. It is ideal for us to have ATRAC selectable and ALL ELSE OFF (recall we’ll have ARBs front and rear for the hard stuff).