4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
IF the $60 switch enabled A-TRAC... it sure would make the FJ more appealing. A base model + CQ, put the A-TRAC switch in and add front and rear ARB lockers... and still come in under the upgrade package without the BS that comes with it.
Rover - I don't really see how in the hell you would call that "stealing" A-TRAC, LOL. I also don't see how that would void a warranty claim. All you would be doing is enabling a system that is already present on every FJ with the upgrade package, so why would it void the warranty (assuming the hack worked and didn't interfere with anything)?
As I sit here and wonder why the heck anyone would even want to hack it.
The upgrade package is the way to go. The price of the package is probably about what the replacement ABS/TRAC actuator is (without labor) after you farg it up!!!!!
If you want A-TRAC get it installed at the freakin factory. This is certainly the way to go! You get some more goodies with it and the vehicle is still a bargain.
WHAT A JOKE! RoverGGM.
It's interesting to see so many folks timid about modifications. As soon as the FJ hits more of the hard core crowd it will be exactly like every jeep model. Heavily hacked and modified. Including said A-TRAC. Has anyone here actually been to a rockcrawling event and seen what is left of Jeeps and Land Rovers after mods lol. Not much. I myself bought this machine to off-road in and am certainly going to modify it in many ways. The whole question of fear to modify because of an ECU recording what you do is a joke, and look at who is telling you to be scared. I love a dealer telling you how lucky you are to get a moderately priced (joke) upgrade pack because it's so much less scary than trying to work it out for yourself. The warranty is voided only on any part that your modifications screw up, not on the whole vehicle That's just the law. Sheesh, It's only a matter of time before aftermarket ecu units are available anyhow. Not to mention that serious offroaders will also probably swap the front end, install more massive brakes and rear axel. Put on a thin rockcrawling bumper front and rear (not that massive, heavy, useless arb job) lift the thing for god's sakes, trim the fenders and probably replace with tube steel assemblies, armor the undercarriage with something other than plastic over the gas tank, etc etc etc. Trying an A-TRAC hack is not a big deal. Give me the MAGIC SWITCH and let me try it lol. It sure shows me a dealer’s mentality. I had a lot of these mods done on my jeep within a month out of the showroom and still brought it in for engine and drivetrain warranty work with no fear or repercussions. I’m starting to get the feeling that a lot of you guys aren’t going to get very dirty.
It's interesting to see so many folks timid about modifications.
i agree with your whole point; in this specific instance there isnt really anything to worry about either, if you plug the switch in and it screws something up 1.9% chance its going to be a blown fuse, 98% chance it just plain wont work. I think the reluctance to mod stuff comes from 1) it being brand new, and 2) not understanding how it works. i used to be intimidated by doing work on my vehicles, it took me 3 days once to do a clutch because i didnt want to break anything. in july when i get home from japan im going to be rebuilding the EFI engine in my 4runner MYSELF, rather than pay $4000 for the dealer to do it. im not scared to do it anymore because i have had training and do things like that all the time at work now (i am a diesel mechanic in the Marines). its all about familiarity, confidence in your abilities, and having the resources you need to do it right.
On a similar note, invest in a Factory Service Manual (FSM), they are indespensible if you plan to do any work on your FJC yourself.
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I just don't buy it. It's like saying that all the FJ's are all 4x4's and with the 4x2 you just don't get the trans case lever because it's easier for Toyota to do it that way.
Time will tell. This should turn out to be, imo, the first biggest urban myth about the FJ until it's proved or disproved.
I was looking for more storage space for small things.
There's an open good sized white male plug under the tray on the right in the cargo area (no sub). No spare plug behind the access door at right rear (no 110v).
No idea what signals/voltages this has and no interest in finding out. I'm still searching for storage, not voltage.
Now the next question is does the wiring harness have the connections for the 110 power plug that I didn't get.
1- switch
1- 110 oulet
plug and play?
The question is if the Voltage Inverter is already in the car. You will find it behind the RH Deck panel in the rear of the vehicle. Below and to the right of the Sub boom box for reference.
The warranty is voided only on any part that your modifications screw up, not on the whole vehicle That's just the law. Sheesh, It's only a matter of time before aftermarket ecu units are available anyhow. ..... Trying an A-TRAC hack is not a big deal. .
Great, can't wait for YOU to try it.
The post noted that the mechanical/electronic portion of the vehicle which is "modified" by your application of the switch, is an ABS/TRAC actuator. Price me one of those! (by the way, per your quote: you just voided your warranty on that little nugg).
The ABS/TRAC actuator is also where the vehicle operating parameters are monitored and recorded. RECORDED........kinda scares me. Read your owners manual section about the "event data recorder"
Now as I see it this could potentially be costly in the event of failure of said ABS/TRAC actuator, and the cost of repair (out of pocket, cause warranty won't cover it, because of your mod) may exceed the cost of the upgrade package itself.
Carry On, and good luck....I can't wait to see how this turns out!
The question is if the Voltage Inverter is already in the car. You will find it behind the RH Deck panel in the rear of the vehicle. Below and to the right of the Sub boom box for reference.
No it isnt...
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a dealer rep said: "Well, not prevent them but deter owners from "stealing" the A-TRAC, etc. I know if I was the manufacturer, this would be an A-1 reason to deny a warranty claim."
this is NOT stealing.
F..kin the vehicle up and expecting Toyota to pay to fix it afterward would not be "stealing" either I suppose, let me know how that converstion with the service manager goes.
Now, this is not a 1977 CJ-5. It has tremendous "monitoring" capabilities built in. Recording what you have done driving it and what you have done to "enhance" it's latent features.
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