Short vid from Argentine Pass (ATRAC)

[G.I.G.]

This is a video of me climbing a short off-shoot on Argentine Pass near the old Waldorft Mine outside of Georgetown, CO last fall. It's a good visual representation of ATRAC working. It's certainly not a perfect system, but having ATRAC is definitely better than having just two, open diffs.

 

[JB.]

It's a good visual representation of ATRAC working.

It sure is, and a good demo of how to hold steady and let ATRAC do its thing. Good audio, too. This would be very instructive for anyone wondering what to expect from ATRAC.

 

[G.I.G.]

It sure is, and a good demo of how to hold steady and let ATRAC do its thing. Good audio, too. This would be very instructive for anyone wondering what to expect from ATRAC.

Thanks, JB. That's why I included "ATRAC" in the title, just in case anyone does a search and wants to see it in action.

That hill was perfect for ATRAC. It was steep, loose, and that hump in the middle makes your suspension articulate quite a bit, putting one wheel in better contact than the other.

I remember reading on here when I first got my 4Runner (can't remember the thread or who said it) that the sweet spot for ATRAC is at about 2,500 rpm, give or take. Your first instinct is to gun it, but if you give it too much gas, you start working against ATRAC. Especially considering ATRAC uses your ABS in order to work.

I've done that trail several times before with my old Grand Cherokee. It took me several attempts to get up it with a running start, and it still barely made it up. My 4Runner crept right up it. With ATRAC, slow and steady wins the race.

 

[JB.]

I remember reading on here when I first got my 4Runner (can't remember the thread or who said it) that the sweet spot for ATRAC is at about 2,500 rpm, give or take.

I like the rpms as low as the transmission will allow (if I don't need any speed control) and I'm amazed at how often that means 2nd gear (lo) on some pretty steep stuff.

Your first instinct is to gun it, but if you give it too much gas, you start working against ATRAC.

Perfectly demonstrated. This thread is going to save me some writing. I'll be linking to it often. I don't recall seeing a better demonstration of ATRAC.

 

[00328]

Is this with the center diff locked and 4-lo?

 

[simple06]

Very nice. My ATRAC works better than I thought it would.

 

[G.I.G.]

Is this with the center diff locked and 4-lo?

Yup, center diff was locked and it was in 4Lo. I have an '07 that does not have the separate VSC Off button (that came in '08) so VSC would have been getting in my way if I did not have the center diff locked on that hill climb.

Very nice. My ATRAC works better than I thought it would.

Agreed. It sounded a little gimmicky when I first read about it, but having needed ATRAC several times while off-roading, it has made me appreciate it quite a bit.

 

[klennop]

Thanks for sharing, I really like how you can hear the steady throttle. It really shows how the truck does a lot of the traction managing on its own and how the driver is usually the one who is messing it up.

 

[Ross]

It also shows the limitations of IFS. The system does work though.