Rear Locker + ATRAC - Page 9

moby33 · 08-17-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

lllateralus previously said:

You are correct... the ATRAC will NOT even LOOK at the rear axle if the two wheels are locked together via the rear locker. I have played with my FJ a few times locked and Atrac'ed together, and it works amazingly well. Like a front AND rear locker.. only you can turn.

OK, so I've got to ask. Do you really think your FJ would not have made it through those obstacles without this setup? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ or anything, I'm asking a legit question. I completely agree with you in the fact that it's a better setup & more capable...but ultimately it comes down to, "Did you absolutely need it?"

In the short amount of time I've owned my FJ and the limited off-roading I've experienced with it, I was VERY pleased with its capabilities and only once was stopped on a very steep incline w/ extremely loose grave/rocks. I have no doubt better than stock tires would have gotten me up the incline (the tires are now on order BTW). Therefore, at least for me, I question the need for this. If you were constantly getting stopped on obstacles you knew you could get over if you had this mod, then I'm all for it. Was that the case? If so, what kind of madman trails (and where) are you running? I guess I keep going back to what the Trail Teams have been able to accomplish with their FJs and I say, "You know what, I'm never going to have the desire to tackle anything that they have not already tackled with the stock FJ."

**MoabRat** · 08-17-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

moby33 previously said:

OK, so I've got to ask. Do you really think your FJ would not have made it through those obstacles without this setup? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ or anything, I'm asking a legit question. I completely agree with you in the fact that it's a better setup & more capable...but ultimately it comes down to, "Did you absolutely need it?"

In the short amount of time I've owned my FJ and the limited off-roading I've experienced with it, I was VERY pleased with its capabilities and only once was stopped on a very steep incline w/ extremely loose grave/rocks. I have no doubt better than stock tires would have gotten me up the incline (the tires are now on order BTW). Therefore, at least for me, I question the need for this. If you were constantly getting stopped on obstacles you knew you could get over if you had this mod, then I'm all for it. Was that the case? If so, what kind of madman trails (and where) are you running? I guess I keep going back to what the Trail Teams have been able to accomplish with their FJs and I say, "You know what, I'm never going to have the desire to tackle anything that they have not already tackled with the stock FJ."

They don't pay for the extra trail damage they incur with a stock vehicle (tail lights, rear quarters, control arms, bumper bends and scraps etc.)

moby33 · 08-17-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

MoabRat previously said:

They don't pay for the extra trail damage they incur with a stock vehicle (tail lights, rear quarters, control arms, bumper bends and scraps etc.)

OK, but I don't see how this mod will avoid damage to tail lights, rear quarters, control arms & bumper bends...am I missing something? I guess you're trying to make the point that with this feature it will prevent one from sliding off of obstacles that you would have been flying off of otherwise?

Again, I truly believe if you're taking your FJ on obstacles that 100% NEEDS this mod then you shouldn't be concerned with possible tail light & quarters damage...you should just expect it. I'm not going to be going that extreme in my FJ (at least not for the next 3 years), so I don't need it & it's not worth a possible warranty void just to see how it works.

Tankota · 08-17-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

moby33 previously said:

I'm not sure it's a good reason, but along the same lines as Bill, I think I'm not going to mess with it. This is the first new vehicle I've ever bought and therefore I don't want to do anything that Toyota might throw back into my face to void a warranty.

My first payment on the FJ isn't even due until next week..I've already lifted it and hacked it.. lol.. AND I have the extended warranty.

I guess I've hit my head on a few bumps in the trail too hard on my previous rig.

Actually I've never had much trouble with warranty, I don't expect them to fix something I've hacked or modifed, and they have been more than willing to warranty my last Tacoma even though it was modifed 10 ways to Sunday. It all just depends on the dealer and how good they are, and being realalistic with your expectations. My Tacoma had a cracked rear axle housing (right at the leaf spring perch). With 33" tires, custom leaf springs and custom shocks, and it was very obvious I used it off road, I didn't expect them to warranty it at 80,000 miles (had the extended). But they did anyways, replaced the entire axle housing.

moby33 · 08-17-2006, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Tankota previously said:

My first payment on the FJ isn't even due until next week..I've already lifted it and hacked it.. lol.. AND I have the extended warranty.

I guess I've hit my head on a few bumps in the trail too hard on my previous rig.

Actually I've never had much trouble with warranty, I don't expect them to fix something I've hacked or modifed, and they have been more than willing to warranty my last Tacoma even though it was modifed 10 ways to Sunday. It all just depends on the dealer and how good they are, and being realalistic with your expectations. My Tacoma had a cracked rear axle housing (right at the leaf spring perch). With 33" tires, custom leaf springs and custom shocks, and it was very obvious I used it off road, I didn't expect them to warranty it at 80,000 miles (had the extended). But they did anyways, replaced the entire axle housing.

That's all good & I'm glad to hear it...but I have a sneaking suspicion for every 'I mod'd my rig & the warranty wasn't voided' glory story like this, there are probably 10 that go the other way. I can't stress enough...it's your FJ...you can do anything you want with it & I still say Rock On. I'm not trying to be righteous here, I'm just pointing out for me, it's not worth the risk and potential warranty nightmare.

lllateralus · 08-18-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

moby33 previously said:

OK, so I've got to ask. Do you really think your FJ would not have made it through those obstacles without this setup? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ or anything, I'm asking a legit question. I completely agree with you in the fact that it's a better setup & more capable...but ultimately it comes down to, "Did you absolutely need it?"

In the short amount of time I've owned my FJ and the limited off-roading I've experienced with it, I was VERY pleased with its capabilities and only once was stopped on a very steep incline w/ extremely loose grave/rocks. I have no doubt better than stock tires would have gotten me up the incline (the tires are now on order BTW). Therefore, at least for me, I question the need for this. If you were constantly getting stopped on obstacles you knew you could get over if you had this mod, then I'm all for it. Was that the case? If so, what kind of madman trails (and where) are you running? I guess I keep going back to what the Trail Teams have been able to accomplish with their FJs and I say, "You know what, I'm never going to have the desire to tackle anything that they have not already tackled with the stock FJ."

Moby33, I have never encountered any obstacle that stopped my FJ.
Not even close.

But I plan on hitting some hard rocky trails this winter when it cools down in the desert. The reason I am so excited about this mod is this:
The ATRAC is a GREAT system.. but it doesnt work as well on the rear axle as the locker. The system simply cant provide enough brake pulse pressure to the rear axle when there is lots of weight transfer back there, or a huge rock that a rear tire is trying to climb. The locker is perfect for this. It LOCKS the rear axle. But when the locker is locked, that leaves the front diff completely open.

I am certain that soon I will get into a situation in the rocks where the rear will be locked, and I will be GLAD that I have some control over the front axle simultaniously. (this will be rough stuff though!)

For probably 90% of the people here, the FJ with JUST the rear locked will be more capability than they need... but I like to push the limit.

Im sure that when the 'local' deserts cool off, I will be TRYING to get into a situation where I have the locker locked, and I will NEED the Atrac to take control of the front axle... and I will be so glad that I can go ahead and hit that Atrac button and KEEP that all important locker LOCKED. Man I just LOVE my FJ and cant wait to get it out in the desert.

Can you tell?

moby33 · 08-18-2006, 03:41 AM

Quote:

lllateralus previously said:

Im sure that when the 'local' deserts cool off, I will be TRYING to get into a situation where I have the locker locked, and I will NEED the Atrac to take control of the front axle... and I will be so glad that I can go ahead and hit that Atrac button and KEEP that all important locker LOCKED. Man I just LOVE my FJ and cant wait to get it out in the desert.

Can you tell?

Yes I can. You are obviously going to push your FJ more than I will, and for that I can't fault you for finding ways to make the FJ perform "Above & Beyond the Call of Duty." I guess if I ever find myself in a situation that requires this ability I'll think of you and smile as I envision you saying, 'Told You Soooooo'.

Honestly, since many have proven how simple this mod is, I really wonder why Toyota did not give the FJ this capability from the factory. Just doesn't make sense to me since it's obviously not a cost issue. And even if they think, "Well, 99% of the operators will not want/need/or understand when to use it"...why would it matter to Toyota? I bet over half the current FJ owners now have no idea what a rear locker really does but it doesn't affect them to have it (mind you, I said half the owners...not half the members on this forum...we are such a small percentage & I guarantee the majority of the members on this site know a lot more about their FJs than non-Forum FJ owners).

Velheru · 08-18-2006, 07:43 AM

When it comes to those kinds of trails I would think the ARB air locker for the front might be handy too.

As for the warranty, The factory warranty (3yrs) you probably wont get much hassle on, it costs the dealer nothing to do work they are paid by the factory, however the extended warranty is through the dealer and you WILL have a hard time when it gets to that warranty and a modded vehicle. Honestly I would drop the extended warranty, they will credit it to the tail end of your loan and let it be. (im considering the same thing, no mods yet, but planning them.)

**MoabRat** · 08-18-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

moby33 previously said:

OK, but I don't see how this mod will avoid damage to tail lights, rear quarters, control arms & bumper bends...am I missing something? I guess you're trying to make the point that with this feature it will prevent one from sliding off of obstacles that you would have been flying off of otherwise?

Again, I truly believe if you're taking your FJ on obstacles that 100% NEEDS this mod then you shouldn't be concerned with possible tail light & quarters damage...you should just expect it. I'm not going to be going that extreme in my FJ (at least not for the next 3 years), so I don't need it & it's not worth a possible warranty void just to see how it works.

I was referring to "You know what, I'm never going to have the desire to tackle anything that they have not already tackled with the stock FJ." The stock FJ part of that statement doesn't hold because they can mangle their FJs and not be responsible for repairs. To avoid repairs you need armor, lift, tires and better parts. I wasn't only referring to the ATRAC/Locker hack.

Tankota · 08-18-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Velheru previously said:

When it comes to those kinds of trails I would think the ARB air locker for the front might be handy too.

As for the warranty, The factory warranty (3yrs) you probably wont get much hassle on, it costs the dealer nothing to do work they are paid by the factory, however the extended warranty is through the dealer and you WILL have a hard time when it gets to that warranty and a modded vehicle. Honestly I would drop the extended warranty, they will credit it to the tail end of your loan and let it be. (im considering the same thing, no mods yet, but planning them.)

Actually my extended warranty is through Toyota, good at any dealer. It's also paid by the factory. I alway avoid those "dealer" warranties or third party warranties.