2 cheap and easy A-TRAC hacks

[MoabRat]

No worries. Moving on here.

[jhorton]

RoverGGM previously said:

I don't want to be misunderstood, so one more little "last post" effort here.

<snip>

Love Ya, Mean it!

Ain't Love Strange (by Paul Thorn)


Not misunderstood, just exposed.

"Last post", yea right..........



Don't trust'm, mean it


-Jack

[RoverGGM]

jhorton previously said:

Ain't Love Strange (by Paul Thorn)


Not misunderstood, just exposed.

"Last post", yea right..........



Don't trust'm, mean it


-Jack

No, misunderstood.

Over the past few months, I have offered up every bit of specific data available from Toyota to me (as an internet salesperson), as it has been made available to me concerning the pre-launch of this vehicle. It wasn't here and we could hardly wait. I saw it in person and fell in love with it at the product launch.

I have posted scans of the the Product reference guides, the new owner reference guides, and specific details as they have been released. I have helped with modifications for seatbelt buzzers, compass calibrations, stereos and even helped a few folks not get screwed when they bought there new Toyota vehicles elsewhere.

I did this to give back to some guys (members here) I feel like I've sort of gotten to know along the way. Some have gone their seperate ways and dropped off the forum. But they encouraged me when this baby was just a gleam in my eye!

I feel I owe it to this forum, because for the longest time it was the place to get the latest speculation. The FJ was indeed on it's way, and it's parents weren't telling whether it was going to be a boy or a girl. These guys (senior members) taught me about the vehicle in the beginning, when Toyota wouldn't or couldn't. It was more like a community then.

I have gotten a little crazy sometimes with my attitude about things I feel strongly about, but I rarely post maliciously, and truly meant only to express my opinion and not hurt anyone's feelings.

I may be a salesman, but I have yet to spam this board trying to sell one!

If you live in FL, I can see why you hate car salesmen!

Love Ya, mean it!

[haulin79]

The nay-sayers here might feel better if Toyota sold the A-TRAC separately for $1000 and when you get the upgrade mailed to you, there is a $60 switch inside the package.

[Alex]

I would really like to find out for sure if this works or not.

MoabRat, I'm assuming that you have an FJCruiser with A-TRAC and a rear locker. Could you pull your switch panel out and take a good close-up photo of the A-TRAC switch connector? You will have to pull the center console to access the 2 bolts that hold the bottom of the switch panel on. I can send you detailed instructions on disassembling the dash if you give me your email addy.

Ickmann, I'm assuming that you have an FJ Cruiser without A-TRAC. Do you have a locker? I need the same thing from you, pull the switch panel and take a good look at the wire harness behind it. There should be a black, 4 pin flat connector strapped to the harness with white tape. I would like a good close-up photo of the connector and the colors of the wires coming out of it. I can also send you detailed instructions on disassembling the dash if you give me your email addy.

Yes, the FJ Criuser has an Event Data Recorder. The data is found in the Supplemental Restraint System ECU and the Skid Control ECU. Dealership technicians do not have access to this data. Toyota's legal department has the equipment required to read it. The only time they will be poking around in there is if the airbags deploy and you file a lawsuit against them. Check page iv of the owners manual for more details on this feature.

[dane]

Do not you wish one does not have to hack factory features and just be able to run lockers in hi when needed, and to be able to get good traction in front with rear locked?

Whatever Toyota salespeople try to say - not having such options is plain dumb. Not that Toyota is very special in this area. Other manufacturers do they same protect-us-from-ourselves things...

[Landrover]

dane previously said:

Do not you wish one does not have to hack factory features and just be able to run lockers in hi when needed, and to be able to get good traction in front with rear locked?

Whatever Toyota salespeople try to say - not having such options is plain dumb. Not that Toyota is very special in this area. Other manufacturers do they same protect-us-from-ourselves things...

Whew......

[Topless4runner]

dane previously said:

Do not you wish one does not have to hack factory features and just be able to run lockers in hi when needed, and to be able to get good traction in front with rear locked?

Whatever Toyota salespeople try to say - not having such options is plain dumb. Not that Toyota is very special in this area. Other manufacturers do they same protect-us-from-ourselves things...

do you think 95% of FJC buyers would have any idea what to do with a front locker, for example? they might turn it on accidentaly and get in a wreck or something and try to blame toyota for their stupidity. this is precisely why they have things like flight data recorders in cars now, because dumb people who dont know how to use their cars (soccer moms rolling their tahoes, for example) get themselves and others hurt/killed and try to blame the mfr. for their ineptitude. this way they can say "hey look, its not our fault; she was speeding!" or "the brake fluid was low, see the indicator light was on, its the drivers fault!" or whatever the case may be. I cant say i blame 'em with all the frivilous lawsuits being filed by stupid people who dont have the moral cojones to man-up and say "my-bad."

[MoabRat]

Alex previously said:

I would really like to find out for sure if this works or not.

MoabRat, I'm assuming that you have an FJCruiser with A-TRAC and a rear locker. Could you pull your switch panel out and take a good close-up photo of the A-TRAC switch connector? You will have to pull the center console to access the 2 bolts that hold the bottom of the switch panel on. I can send you detailed instructions on disassembling the dash if you give me your email addy.

Ickmann, I'm assuming that you have an FJ Cruiser without A-TRAC. Do you have a locker? I need the same thing from you, pull the switch panel and take a good look at the wire harness behind it. There should be a black, 4 pin flat connector strapped to the harness with white tape. I would like a good close-up photo of the connector and the colors of the wires coming out of it. I can also send you detailed instructions on disassembling the dash if you give me your email addy.

Yes, the FJ Criuser has an Event Data Recorder. The data is found in the Supplemental Restraint System ECU and the Skid Control ECU. Dealership technicians do not have access to this data. Toyota's legal department has the equipment required to read it. The only time they will be poking around in there is if the airbags deploy and you file a lawsuit against them. Check page iv of the owners manual for more details on this feature.

Sorry guys, I have an FJ with no ATRAC

[ickmann]

No A-Trac, but I have the rear locker. I 'll see what I can send you pics of.



ick.