When stuck do you use ATRAC or Diff lock?
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DesertCanyons
New member
ATRAC during locked diff
You can only lock the rear differential when you're in 4 lo. With the diff locked you may not have access to ATRAC. Check this and see if that's the case.
ATRAC is good for locking up the front or back wheels when one wheel is off the ground. It brakes the free wheel so the other wheel has traction. This would not work with the diff locked since both rear wheels are turning. That's why it may not be available when the diff is locked. Check this by putting it in 4 lo with the diff locked.
You can only lock the rear differential when you're in 4 lo. With the diff locked you may not have access to ATRAC. Check this and see if that's the case.
ATRAC is good for locking up the front or back wheels when one wheel is off the ground. It brakes the free wheel so the other wheel has traction. This would not work with the diff locked since both rear wheels are turning. That's why it may not be available when the diff is locked. Check this by putting it in 4 lo with the diff locked.
BobsTrail
Senior Member
I had a chance to test this and missed it. I was on a soft beach and aired up before I should have. I had the Multi-Terrain in sand mode and was not making any progress until I turned on the locker and drove out. Later I wondered what ATRAC would have done and if it was a better choice.
I will watch for other replies, no sand trips planned for a while.
I will watch for other replies, no sand trips planned for a while.
JKLNHYD
New member
ATRAC and the locker are only available in 4LO.
I have found that ATRAC works best before you're stuck. In my opinion, the little bit of momentum helps the system in sketchy terrain. Once you stop, I believe ATRAC is less effective.
I use my locker when I know I'll be hanging a tire, again, to maintain traction and stay moving.
I have found that ATRAC works best before you're stuck. In my opinion, the little bit of momentum helps the system in sketchy terrain. Once you stop, I believe ATRAC is less effective.
I use my locker when I know I'll be hanging a tire, again, to maintain traction and stay moving.
e60ral
Banned
it depends on the terrain and conditions, it depends on how you are stuck
for example soft and slick and flat surface i would want to lock the rear diff but I might not use ATRAC if i think i need to power out, however if it's soft and slick and you're off camber then locking the rear diff can send you off the trail.
for example soft and slick and flat surface i would want to lock the rear diff but I might not use ATRAC if i think i need to power out, however if it's soft and slick and you're off camber then locking the rear diff can send you off the trail.
dot_tom
New member
This thread might provide some more info for you.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/73237-trac-vs-multi-terrain-select.html
jordanrb81
New member
Ok so I have only used 4WD LO once, never had to lock or use A-Trac so this is really from my own super non scientific research and not experience. When you watch the You Tube videos (Highly credible I know) they seem to indicate A-Trac is to the front of the 4Runner which has an IFS what the locker is to the back, I have seen folks engage both one or the other. So is this right? I mean I know it uses the ABS system but is the effect supposed to be like locking the front diff in the imaginary world where the 4Runner had a solid front axle to lock?
wfo9
New member
There is really only one answer. "play with it..."
I've spent hundreds (probably thousands) of hours in 4x4s in a variety of difficult conditions and I still get surprised from time to time. I think that is actually one thing that makes it fun.. There is always something new to learn the next time out.
An over generalization is to say that lockers are almost always your best option. But just having a rear locker only can be a bit of a double edge sword depending on the situation. You have to understand how it will spin the rear of the rig around pretty quickly (this can be a good or bad thing).
I would also generalize and say ATRAC plus rear locker is the best overall setting for the majority of conditions. But again. that is a gross generalization.... There are times you simply need wheel speed....
Just keep in mind that shock loads will break things. Slow and steady (slow as possible fast as necessary) is your best mindset until you understand the terrain and limits of your equipment better. Trust me.. these trucks can break pretty easy with a heavy foot and a sudden bite of traction.
The biggest mistake I see most people doing is relying on traction aids vs line choice... Just last weekend I was out with a guy trying to throttle his way out of a double wheelbase situation. He was locked front and rear and was going nowhere with a lot of bouncing and thrashing. Just lining him up 1 inch over he was able to crawl out without even the spin of the tire. That is all it takes many times..
A few rocks or branches... are good tools too. The electronics are highly overrated.
I've spent hundreds (probably thousands) of hours in 4x4s in a variety of difficult conditions and I still get surprised from time to time. I think that is actually one thing that makes it fun.. There is always something new to learn the next time out.
An over generalization is to say that lockers are almost always your best option. But just having a rear locker only can be a bit of a double edge sword depending on the situation. You have to understand how it will spin the rear of the rig around pretty quickly (this can be a good or bad thing).
I would also generalize and say ATRAC plus rear locker is the best overall setting for the majority of conditions. But again. that is a gross generalization.... There are times you simply need wheel speed....
Just keep in mind that shock loads will break things. Slow and steady (slow as possible fast as necessary) is your best mindset until you understand the terrain and limits of your equipment better. Trust me.. these trucks can break pretty easy with a heavy foot and a sudden bite of traction.
The biggest mistake I see most people doing is relying on traction aids vs line choice... Just last weekend I was out with a guy trying to throttle his way out of a double wheelbase situation. He was locked front and rear and was going nowhere with a lot of bouncing and thrashing. Just lining him up 1 inch over he was able to crawl out without even the spin of the tire. That is all it takes many times..
A few rocks or branches... are good tools too. The electronics are highly overrated.
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NOW you're speaking my language!
1000MPH
Senior Member
Not at all. 4H plus MTS Sand setting is great for powering through loose stuff where momentum is key and some wheelspin is fine.
There's a good vid with a Pro driver that shows this well.
I'll try to find it.
Here it is queued up.
https://youtu.be/j1VB-2Eo7Zs?t=1m9s
...the subtitles are a bit strange.
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TheWraith
New member
I was in 4H and used mud, sand,dirt in snow when the trail was slushy... Stabilized the 4Runner completely; even going 20mph...
Tx4Runner18
New member
I've gotten mine stuck in mud one time. I tried crawl control, let it try for a bit.
Wouldn't get me out, finally I turned A Trac on and got myself out in about 15 seconds.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Wouldn't get me out, finally I turned A Trac on and got myself out in about 15 seconds.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
