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A-Trac switch install with pics

76536 Views 184 Replies 88 Participants Last post by  cciummo, 
Wolfbak
5
Sorry about starting a new thread on this, but the A-Trac hack thread was getting so long and cumbersome. I want to just show the process with this new title.

If anyone needs the background on adding the A-Trac option, please read through the previous thread: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2169

I added the switch and A-Trac is working! Thanks for the help from Ickmann and from Alex for the original post.

Here's the process: 1. Remove the small cover under the parking brake. You can insert a screwdriver under the edge to pop it up - no screws.

2. Take out the rubber cup holder separator in the back of the center console and remove the 2 bolts with a 10mm socket.

3. Pull the top of the center console (around the shifters) straight up with your hands. It is held by clips and pulls up easily. Unscrew the 4wd shifter knob and pull the console top off. Put the shifter knob back on right away because the sharp threads of the shifter easily scratch the plastic panels!

4. Remove the two 10mm bolts on the sides of the console on either side of the (automatic) shifter. They are obvious, but I haven't seen them on a manual transmission model. Pull the console staight back away from the switch panel - no need to remove it.

5. Remove the 10mm bolts at the bottom of the switch panel and pop out the plastic retainers on each side. I didn't have a special tool, but if you push the center of the retainer clip straight in, you can remove the whole retainer.

6. Pull the switch panel out until you see the switches and wiring from behind.

7. At the A-Trac switch position, pull the switch blank out of the front. There will be a wiring plug connected to the back of the blank, but it may or may not be the correct one to connect to the switch. This threw me.

8. Push the A-Trac switch into the hole where the blank was removed and plug in the correct connector. The A-Trac connector has 4 wires running to it. Two of the wires are pink with a green stripe and white with a black stripe. I got confused because the connector in the location where the A-Trac switch goes had a pink wire with a blue stripe and a purple wire. I had a hard time seeing the black stripe on the white wire and the directions I read said to look for a black and white wire.

I can tell you this is easy and it works! I do not plan to try the hack which allows the A-Trac and locking diff to be active at the same time. It seems to be a lot more of a "hack" than simply adding a factory switch, and I'm not sure I understand the benefit at all.

I'll include some thumbnails in this post and then more in the next post.

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trdsource
Mtbcoach said:
I received my switch today from TRDsource, followed the directions on this thread and all went as planned. I took the whole thing apart because I added an additional 12v ouput to the back of the console for the kids to plug in their music/dvd/etc while travelling.

Don't make the same mistake I did by not replacing the shifter knobs to avoid scratching any of the plastic. That stuff must be really soft and those threads really sharp because I could swear that the two never met but I came away with a couple scratches on the switch console. Nothing serious, just take the time to screw the knobs back on just to be sure.

Thanks to all that took the time to find this nice add on.
Click to expand...
Let me know what panel you scratched and Ill qoute you a price.

Matt
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Ridge111
Ok, after spending 2 hours reading these 2 threads, I have a question. What exactly is the difference between A-TRAC and the standard traction control that is already built in? Then there is the auto LSD. I have 2WD with (here's what is listed on the sticker) VSC, traction control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, A-LSD, and rear diff lock. Without pushing any buttons, I spun the tires in sand the the brake pedal started pulsating; it was braking the spinning wheel to give traction to the non-spinning wheel. So the traction control is already limiting the slip, which makes me wonder what good the LSD button would do for me, and (if I had a 4WD) what more does the A-TRAC do?
:confused:

Side note: Mine also has the plug for the A-TRAC switch in the dash, even though it's a 2WD. So that may help to confirm to some people that they do wire them up for all the options even if they're not installed, or have no possibility of being installed.
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RoverGGM
If you have a 2WD, you can't add A-TRAC. It is esentially your auto LSD that works on the front drive axle too (in the 4WD) :)

Auto LSD limites the wheelspin on your rear axle and simulates a limited slip differential electronically (transferring power from the wheel that slips to the wheel with grip) TRAC, does the above but cuts throttle as well. Auto-LSD does not cut throttle.
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Ridge111
RoverGGM said:
If you have a 2WD, you can't add A-TRAC. It is esentially your auto LSD that works on the front drive axle too (in the 4WD) :)

Auto LSD limites the wheelspin on your rear axle and simulates a limited slip differential electronically (transferring power from the wheel that slips to the wheel with grip) TRAC, does the above but cuts throttle as well. Auto-LSD does not cut throttle.
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So all this fuss is about that small difference? There must be more to it.
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trdsource
Ridge111 said:
So all this fuss is about that small difference? There must be more to it.
Click to expand...

I think the fuss is that in order to get a-trac on an FJ you have to buy an upgrade package that is $2000.00 dollars or so.

So for 43.19 + shipping and a simple install you can add the a-trac function.

Matt
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surfponto
4
MoabRat said:
Same here, no need to disassemble everything. Popped the cover off with a thin screwdriver and the wiring was attached to the back of the plate. Two minute install.
Click to expand...
Just finished my install. :D

Thanks Kathie, jayazusa and all the other pioneers.

Pop off the blank,
unhook the plug attached to the blank,
attach wires to A-Trac switch,
put transfer in 4-Low,
put tranny in neutral and hit switch... A-trac light comes on.
Go in have a beer :)

Click Pics to zoom.....









Bob
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Mtbcoach
trdsource said:
Let me know what panel you scratched and Ill qoute you a price.

Matt
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Matt, I scratch the "switch cover" for lack of better terms. Not sure of the exact name of the piece but it houses all the switches.

Thanks again for your continued support of the FJ and this forum.
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trdsource
Mtbcoach said:
Matt, I scratch the "switch cover" for lack of better terms. Not sure of the exact name of the piece but it houses all the switches.

Thanks again for your continued support of the FJ and this forum.
Click to expand...

55407-35090-B0
Retail is $114.58 Your price is $86.10...
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E
I was on trd source and could not find the a-trac part. What am I missing? I want to buy this? When I was on the website a long list of parts came up and I'm pretty sure I went through all of them and I could not find the part. Did you guys call in the order or is there a search function I did not see? I would like to buy from these guys since they sponser this forum and they seem to be priced the best.
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surfponto
Part Number 84988-35060
Part Name A-Trac Switch
Part Type Switch
Part Weight (lbs) 1
Part Manufacturer Toyota
Dealer Price $57.47
Discount Price $43.19
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O
ericv said:
I was on trd source and could not find the a-trac part. What am I missing? I want to buy this? When I was on the website a long list of parts came up and I'm pretty sure I went through all of them and I could not find the part. Did you guys call in the order or is there a search function I did not see? I would like to buy from these guys since they sponser this forum and they seem to be priced the best.
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The ATrac switch is the first item listed on TRD.
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E
other1 said:
The ATrac switch is the first item listed on TRD.
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I'm on it right now and the first item is "big break kit" There is no order to it.
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O
ericv said:
I'm on it right now and the first item is "big break kit" There is no order to it.
Click to expand...
http://www.trdsource.com/

Then follow the prompts for FJCruiser 4x4 and the list of stuff comes up and Atrac switch is at the top.
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Ridge111
ericv said:
I'm on it right now and the first item is "big break kit" There is no order to it.
Click to expand...
You have to select 4WD, it's not listed for the 2WD. But there is no big brake kit listed anywhere for the FJ so you must have selected the wrong vehicle.
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ikamoj
Kudos to the folks on the cutting edge that made this so easy to install.
Now I just need to put the FJ on my jackstands to test it ...
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gronch
That was easy.
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S
So has anyone come up with any downside to this thus far? I can't really see one and I assume the truly paranoid could always pop the blank back in for dealer visits. Just curious if any real negatives had been identified.
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1983FJ60
Surfmobile said:
So has anyone come up with any downside to this thus far? I can't really see one and I assume the truly paranoid could always pop the blank back in for dealer visits. Just curious if any real negatives had been identified.
Click to expand...
No.

Toyota can't do a thing about you installing a genuine Toyota part purchased from an authorized Toyota dealer to enable a system that has been pre-installed in the vehicle.

They can b!tch, that's about all, since you're in your legal rights to do so, and it's impossible for them to prove that activating a system the factory installed with a genuine Toyota switch caused a malfunction in the system, thus voiding the warranty. Now if you cobble together a switch yourself and short something out, or confuse the computer--you might have an issue, but as it stands Toyota has manufactured all 4WD FJ's with ATRAC, just left the switch out in some... Their problem, not mine.

What does interest me is what they plan on doing about it on the 08?

Will they actually leave off the ATRAC, will they make it 'standard' on all models and include its price, or will they do a better job of hiding the wiring?

But as of now you have a great off-road upgrade for nothing.

I want to see if this continues to work as the VIN numbers get higher.
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Surfmobile said:
So has anyone come up with any downside to this thus far? I can't really see one and I assume the truly paranoid could always pop the blank back in for dealer visits. Just curious if any real negatives had been identified.
Click to expand...
If you read all the material that came with your FJC, you'll see that it is a totally legal install because it's a Toyota part being installed. If you were dealing with a non-Toyota part, it would be a problem.
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S
Well, I don't have the FJ quite yet so haven't read the material, but your logic is sound. Thanks for the replies!
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