Super cool ABS

[Gelthos]

So we've had our first decent snow fall here in Buffalo and I had forgotten how awesome the ABS system is in my 96 SR5. Now I realize my tires are a year older but by no means in bad shape. Do any of you snow driving gurus have any solutions to the ABS system on this otherwise awesome truck? Thanks guys (As I most likely will be sliding through something today)

 

[kolelt]

So we've had our first decent snow fall here in Buffalo and I had forgotten how awesome the ABS system is in my 96 SR5. Now I realize my tires are a year older but by no means in bad shape. Do any of you snow driving gurus have any solutions to the ABS system on this otherwise awesome truck? Thanks guys (As I most likely will be sliding through something today)

wait, so do you not want the ABS or do ? Mine has been off for 4 years. I took the bulb out from the dash to lol. If your not cautious and bad driver, abs wont help.

 

[Gelthos]

I guess my problem is it engages so quickly and doesn't let go. I grew up driving 70's cars in the snow, I feel like the ABS in my Runner is dangerous in the snow. In dry or even rain conditions I imagine it's fine.

 

[pauldub]

You can disable it. Do a search on this forum.

 

[kolelt]

I guess my problem is it engages so quickly and doesn't let go. I grew up driving 70's cars in the snow, I feel like the ABS in my Runner is dangerous in the snow. In dry or even rain conditions I imagine it's fine.

A lot of guys just pull the ABS fuse. Or you can wire in a kill switch.

 

[Gelthos]

Sounds like a plan

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Just yesterday my buddy just told me how his 3G ABS sent him sliding, and he was incredibly frustrated and embarrassed- he's a very good and experienced driver.
I haven't seen the thread on disabling it, but I figured it couldn't be too difficult to put in a disable switch.
Mine is disabled with the locker, but I would like to have it independently controlled too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lhsoulrebel]

I guess my problem is it engages so quickly and doesn't let go. I grew up driving 70's cars in the snow, I feel like the ABS in my Runner is dangerous in the snow. In dry or even rain conditions I imagine it's fine.

Its pretty simple, just take your foot off the brake. That's how you "unlock" your wheels in a none ABS car, same with abs (take your foot off the brake, and the abs will stop cycling) I grew up in the north east as well with Out abs, and it took some getting used to. The technology has come a loooong way. The third gen abs is fine, it just takes a little adaptation. Drive around an icy or snowy empty parking lot and play around with it. In my experience i found that I could probably stop a car with no abs at slower speeds in shorter distances than with it. At higher speeds, abs is way more effective.

 

[MandAtaco]

ABS in these trucks sucks... but I think we all know that by now. I put a switch in to bypass mine, do a search there's a few ways to do it.

 

[WallyWest]

Its pretty simple, just take your foot off the brake. That's how you "unlock" your wheels in a none ABS car, same with abs (take your foot off the brake, and the abs will stop cycling) I grew up in the north east as well with Out abs, and it took some getting used to. The technology has come a loooong way. The third gen abs is fine, it just takes a little adaptation. Drive around an icy or snowy empty parking lot and play around with it. In my experience i found that I could probably stop a car with no abs at slower speeds in shorter distances than with it. At higher speeds, abs is way more effective.

You must have the only 3rd gen with a 4th gen system then. The ABS in mine is super aggressive. On slick roads it effectively disables the brakes. I was in snow, approaching a stop sign at about 15mph, braked gently well in advance and ABS kicked in. There was zero braking going on, so I pumped the brakes, ABS kicked in every time and the truck kept rolling right along, straight through the stop sign. Luckily nobody was there.

Common complaint with 3rd gens, the ABS sucks.

And no, you don't take your foot off the brake on a (normal) ABS vehicle. You stay on the brake and let the system do it's job. That's if it works like it should, which 3rd gens don't. After my little adventure I pulled the fuse, brakes work fine when ABS isn't shutting them down.

 

[PNWRUNNER99]

I too recently had a my first encounter with this awful abs was out snow wheelin abs kicked in sent me sliding in reverse with no brakes towards a switch back. That being said it is simple to remove the abs fuse you have to unbolt in from the bottom side of the fuse box.

 

[JayRolla]

Just yesterday my buddy just told me how his 3G ABS sent him sliding, and he was incredibly frustrated and embarrassed- he's a very good and experienced driver.
I haven't seen the thread on disabling it, but I figured it couldn't be too difficult to put in a disable switch.
Mine is disabled with the locker, but I would like to have it independently controlled too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He running TBU? I noticed this after upgrading.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

He running TBU? I noticed this after upgrading.

Really? I wonder why that is.
But no; his rig is a '99 SR5 Sport with stock brakes.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

You must have the only 3rd gen with a 4th gen system then. The ABS in mine is super aggressive. On slick roads it effectively disables the brakes. I was in snow, approaching a stop sign at about 15mph, braked gently well in advance and ABS kicked in. There was zero braking going on, so I pumped the brakes, ABS kicked in every time and the truck kept rolling right along, straight through the stop sign. Luckily nobody was there.

Common complaint with 3rd gens, the ABS sucks.

And no, you don't take your foot off the brake on a (normal) ABS vehicle. You stay on the brake and let the system do it's job. That's if it works like it should, which 3rd gens don't. After my little adventure I pulled the fuse, brakes work fine when ABS isn't shutting them down.

Even modern day abs at slower speeds is not as effective as someone who knows what they are doing. Yes the abs system isn't fantastic, but I find it still works well at higher speeds. Taking my foot off the brake at lower speeds I can "work with" the system to stop the vehicle. (And there is no rule saying you must keep your foot on the brake for a "normal abs" system. )
Proving my point about the abs low speed regime....
I fly very advanced very heavy modern jets for a living. All of the manufacturers for various reasons disengage the abs at slow speeds (it's a bit complicated, but the bottom line is the information the systems get is unreliable, and the ABS is ineffective below 5-10 mph).

 

[lhsoulrebel]

Quick question for the 3rd gen ultra gurus:
Did early model year third Gens only have front wheel abs? Could explain the gentleman sliding?

 

[Black798]

Early third gens had abs to all four wheels. The only difference is that in later model years (2001-2002 I believe) they combined the master cylinder and abs pump which helped but not much. I've found that in my 98 no matter what the speed when the abs comes on it just makes noise and locks the wheels. Its not like other cars I've driven where you can feel the pedal pulsate and see the wheels unlock and lock. After a few close calls I decided to just pulled the fuse. I feel like I am in better control of the car when I can feel whats going on without the abs getting in the way. Ill probably put the system on a switch but for now I dont see the need.

 

[WallyWest]

Even modern day abs at slower speeds is not as effective as someone who knows what they are doing. Yes the abs system isn't fantastic, but I find it still works well at higher speeds. Taking my foot off the brake at lower speeds I can "work with" the system to stop the vehicle. (And there is no rule saying you must keep your foot on the brake for a "normal abs" system. )

For a system that's supposed to stop the vehicle you'd think performance at low speeds might be something to think about when designing it.

I live in snow country and have owned several older vehicles with ABS, they worked fine. Never had any issues, and in the winter here having ABS engage is something that happens frequently. Increased stopping distance is normal, totally disabling the brakes is not.

The "rule", in every owner's manual I've ever had, is that you just stay on the pedal when ABS engages. You don't have to pump the brakes because that's what ABS is doing. Taking your foot off the brake just further increases your stopping distance. The point is to retain steering control under hard braking, not to reduce stopping distance (it actually increases it). But the 4Runner is the only vehicle I've owned where you totally lose the brakes when it kicks in. Very dangerous IMO.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

Early third gens had abs to all four wheels. The only difference is that in later model years (2001-2002 I believe) they combined the master cylinder and abs pump which helped but not much. I've found that in my 98 no matter what the speed when the abs comes on it just makes noise and locks the wheels. Its not like other cars I've driven where you can feel the pedal pulsate and see the wheels unlock and lock. After a few close calls I decided to just pulled the fuse. I feel like I am in better control of the car when I can feel whats going on without the abs getting in the way. Ill probably put the system on a switch but for now I dont see the need.

Well, Don't mean to offer counter points to everyone, but I've had a third gen in icy snowy north east since 1997.... almost 20 years!Yes that makes me old! I've always been able to work with the abs system... sure sometimes it's far from perfect, but it still works when you get used to it. And BTW, I always drive like I stole it..... I'll always be a 16 yr old m******* at heart.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

For a system that's supposed to stop the vehicle you'd think performance at low speeds might be something to think about when designing it.

I live in snow country and have owned several older vehicles with ABS, they worked fine. Never had any issues, and in the winter here having ABS engage is something that happens frequently. Increased stopping distance is normal, totally disabling the brakes is not.

The "rule", in every owner's manual I've ever had, is that you just stay on the pedal when ABS engages. You don't have to pump the brakes because that's what ABS is doing. Taking your foot off the brake just further increases your stopping distance. The point is to retain steering control under hard braking, not to reduce stopping distance (it actually increases it). But the 4Runner is the only vehicle I've owned where you totally lose the brakes when it kicks in. Very dangerous IMO.

Not a rule, a recommendation from lawyers that write manuals... not telling you what's to do, just letting you know what my experience has been in the last 20 years of driving a third gen in New England. Pull the fuse if you want, but I wouldn't with my kids in the car.... That said , safe driving out there guys, enjoy the holidays!

 

[Black798]

Well, Don't mean to offer counter points to everyone, but I've had a third gen in icy snowy north east since 1997.... almost 20 years!Yes that makes me old! I've always been able to work with the abs system... sure sometimes it's far from perfect, but it still works when you get used to it. And BTW, I always drive like I stole it..... I'll always be a 16 yr old m******* at heart.

Can you work with the system? Certainly, I did it that way for over a year. I just find it easier with it disconnected. It's really all personal preference though and I think knowing how to drive in less than ideal weather is far more important than any abs system good or not.