rear lockers
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Thai
Elite Member
Ric,
The last year the 4runner had the optional rear locker is 2000. In 2001, ATRAC (4-wheel traction control) took over.
At the same time, VSC (stability control), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist (BA) were incorporated.
Because of ATRAC, EBD, and VSC, 2001-up 4runners have 4-channel 4-sensor ABS system. Previous 4runners have 3-channel 4-sensor ABS system.
Which system is better (locker vs. ATRAC)?? Well, for the average customer, ATRAC + VSC is far more useful from general capability and safety point of view. ATRAC allows for ONE-wheel traction (any wheel)...something that cannot be said about rear-locker setup. And it is pretty much an effective system in mild-to-moderate off-roading. Rock climbing is probably it's biggest weakness, since you're going really slow (crawling), and you do not want to wait for slippage before gaining traction.
For the pure off-roader, a rear locker is probably a better choice from a control point of view (locker can be locked and does not wait for slippage) over rocky terrain. The locker is on-demand. However, if you're not careful, then you may forget to turn it off when you get back to the streets.
Hope this helps.
The last year the 4runner had the optional rear locker is 2000. In 2001, ATRAC (4-wheel traction control) took over.
At the same time, VSC (stability control), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist (BA) were incorporated.
Because of ATRAC, EBD, and VSC, 2001-up 4runners have 4-channel 4-sensor ABS system. Previous 4runners have 3-channel 4-sensor ABS system.
Which system is better (locker vs. ATRAC)?? Well, for the average customer, ATRAC + VSC is far more useful from general capability and safety point of view. ATRAC allows for ONE-wheel traction (any wheel)...something that cannot be said about rear-locker setup. And it is pretty much an effective system in mild-to-moderate off-roading. Rock climbing is probably it's biggest weakness, since you're going really slow (crawling), and you do not want to wait for slippage before gaining traction.
For the pure off-roader, a rear locker is probably a better choice from a control point of view (locker can be locked and does not wait for slippage) over rocky terrain. The locker is on-demand. However, if you're not careful, then you may forget to turn it off when you get back to the streets.
Hope this helps.
hodgepodge79
New member
I am deffinately getting an Aussie (automatic) locker for my '87. I am not sure however where I should put it, front? or rear?Thai said:
I have read that in 4wd, especially with IFS, the front is usually the first end to lose traction. When traction is lost on the front, all the weight shifts to the rear.
Also, by installing it in the front, in 2wd, the locker is essentially non-existant. No need to worry about a quirky rear end in my DD.
mark
Last edited:
Thai
Elite Member
mole177 said:
That button is to lock the center differential.
There are 3 differentials on your truck. The center diff (aka Torsen center diff) controls power flow to front and rear axles. The rear diff controls power flow to right and left rear axle. The front diff controls power flow to right and left front axle.
hodgepodge79
New member
Front install.
Has anyone here put a locker in the front while leaving the rear open? How did it work out for you?
Has anyone here put a locker in the front while leaving the rear open? How did it work out for you?
hodgepodge79
New member
Re: Front install.
bump.
hodgepodge79 said:
bump.
techno
New member
It is not uncommon to install a front locker when the rear is an LSD. I know many people who have done this on 100 Series Landcruisers and GU Patrols. This can be a good option if your rig is say, 90% daily driver 10% off-roader, and you really like having the LSD but can only afford (or justify) spending the cash on one locker for that little extra traction when you blindly follow your buddies into that bottomless bog hole... I havent heard any major complaints from those guys.
But if you could get a limited slip selectable locking differential then most would certainly put this in the rear.
If you currently have ordinary open diffs all round, then definately lock the rear first.
But if you could get a limited slip selectable locking differential then most would certainly put this in the rear.
If you currently have ordinary open diffs all round, then definately lock the rear first.
So you say the Atrac allows 1 wheel to spin , which even if you didn't have it you would only have 1 wheel per axle spinning.
I was out testing at the beginning of december and trying to hill climb in a foot of snow using different mode of 4wd. In doing so we were really giving it hell after stopping half way up the hill, and trying to restart our climb up. Why then was I able to have all 4 wheels roosting snow ( as per my spotter ) . I thought it was my Atrac working since it applies slight brake pressure to the one wheel to help get the traction to the other wheel so both spin.
I've had a locking rear diff in my Tahoe ( 04 z71 ) . It was the type that did it automatically , not by a specific switch. ( atleast GM called it a locking rear diff. ) It worked well.
In my Ford truck ( f150 crew cab ) they were spec'd out as having a limited slip rear end. It also worked well.
Both had front open diff's so in reality it was 3 wheel drive in a snow / off road situation when traction was being lost.
I know with the Tacoma you can get 2 different types of set ups . Either a rear electronic locker ( works in 4lo only ) or a automatic limited slip ( works in 2wd , 4hi & 4lo ) .
I think for 99% of the people the limited slip diff is a better choice for on and of road situations. My friends Tacoma with the off road package has the locker. Because of 99% of the situations he encounters the locker is useless unless he is doing some real heavy crawling.
Ideally I would love to have true electronic lockers in both front and rear,but its not very practical IMO.
Toyota Atrac is building quite a name for itself in off roading and off road racing. It must be a good system. And probably a wave of the future type of axles to come for the average off road person. Rock crawling,mud bogging being the exception.
Please correct me if I am wrong in my thinking .... always need to learn , so I can do more testing.
I was out testing at the beginning of december and trying to hill climb in a foot of snow using different mode of 4wd. In doing so we were really giving it hell after stopping half way up the hill, and trying to restart our climb up. Why then was I able to have all 4 wheels roosting snow ( as per my spotter ) . I thought it was my Atrac working since it applies slight brake pressure to the one wheel to help get the traction to the other wheel so both spin.
I've had a locking rear diff in my Tahoe ( 04 z71 ) . It was the type that did it automatically , not by a specific switch. ( atleast GM called it a locking rear diff. ) It worked well.
In my Ford truck ( f150 crew cab ) they were spec'd out as having a limited slip rear end. It also worked well.
Both had front open diff's so in reality it was 3 wheel drive in a snow / off road situation when traction was being lost.
I know with the Tacoma you can get 2 different types of set ups . Either a rear electronic locker ( works in 4lo only ) or a automatic limited slip ( works in 2wd , 4hi & 4lo ) .
I think for 99% of the people the limited slip diff is a better choice for on and of road situations. My friends Tacoma with the off road package has the locker. Because of 99% of the situations he encounters the locker is useless unless he is doing some real heavy crawling.
Ideally I would love to have true electronic lockers in both front and rear,but its not very practical IMO.
Toyota Atrac is building quite a name for itself in off roading and off road racing. It must be a good system. And probably a wave of the future type of axles to come for the average off road person. Rock crawling,mud bogging being the exception.
Please correct me if I am wrong in my thinking .... always need to learn , so I can do more testing.
Thai
Elite Member
Falls said:
I think that you misunderstood me. ATRAC allows for a 4runner to move forward with ONLY one wheel having traction (3 other wheels with no traction, spinning). Thus, i used the term, "one-wheel traction."
ATRAC does allow all four wheels to spin...but you need to be aggressive with the throttle...you got to push the RPMs beyond 2500-3000 (but NOT full-throttle). If you are tentative with the throttle, ATRAC will kill momentum and you will be stuck.
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