Sinking Creek 4WD Association

I've just about had it with the ABS on my '97 4runner. Last week I was coming down the driveway in the snow, hit the brakes, the ABS tries to do it's thing and I go flying across the road into the neighbors yard. Today I was coming down one of the steep driveways at the farm in the snow, ABS goes to work and I basically start freewheeling down the hill. Luckily I got the e-brake on (in 4wd) quick enough to keep from going over the bank.

BTW, I never once had one of these incidents with my Tacoma (non-ABS), so I don't think it's me.

So, maybe some of the Toyota guys could give me some insight on how to disable the ABS. As I recall the 4runner's also pull the speedo from the ABS, so I don't want to just start cutting wires (but I'm almost to that point).

Thanks in advance

-Grubb

Before cutting wires I might try checking for a fuse that powers the abs controller and pull it and see how that effects the drivablity.

Hopefully you can find a way to keep the warning light in the dash to come on when you start it and not stay on so you can pass inspection and not have to deal with looking at that damn thing the whole time lol

I guess looking for a fuse would be the first step. As mentioned, I do want it to look and 'act' as if nothing has been tampered with.

VerticalTRX wrote:I guess looking for a fuse would be the first step. As mentioned, I do want it to look and 'act' as if nothing has been tampered with.

My amigo was the same way. Pulled the abs fuse and the abs light behind the dash

Unplugging the brake fluid level sensor is an easy way to temporary disable to the ABS (and the TRAC and VSC on newer toyotas)

With the ABS disabled your rear brakes will lock up well before your front brakes. There's no LSPV like on your taco. I know the spedo will work with a single front speed sensor. Maybe try unplugging the front abs sensors and rocking the back two.

How are you reacting when the ABS starts to work? I've driven vehicles with ABS my entire life and never had any problems like you are describing man.

Good point Terry. From what I've heard, when you have ABS and brake like you don't (pump 'em and try to do the ABS' job), it does exactly what you described. If you have it, you pretty much just need to keep standing on the brakes and let them do their job.

Or something sucks with your ABS system and you should disable it and you can just drive like you don't have it at all.

Abs warning light will not keep it from passing inspection, only the brake warning light

TerryD wrote:How are you reacting when the ABS starts to work? I've driven vehicles with ABS my entire life and never had any problems like you are describing man.

Upon your instruction from the last time I had this problem, when the ABS kicks in I basically stand on the pedal as hard as I can....nothing. I'm beginning to think it is either a) a really crappy, primitive system, or b) malfunctioning. Regardless, you know how I hate it when a vehicle tries to 'think' for the drive. Even an automatic transmission is too much for me.

MtnToys wrote:Unplugging the brake fluid level sensor is an easy way to temporary disable to the ABS (and the TRAC and VSC on newer toyotas)

With the ABS disabled your rear brakes will lock up well before your front brakes. There's no LSPV like on your taco. I know the spedo will work with a single front speed sensor. Maybe try unplugging the front abs sensors and rocking the back two.

Awesome, I'll try both of those ideas. If one were to completely abandon the ABS, would it be possible to add the rear proportioning valve and have it function as it did on my taco?

Im my tacoma when the ABS kicks in it feels like the truck is not stopping because the tires are still rotating. It has taken me a few years to get used to and I still dont really care for it. It is however working like it should and If I just stay on the brakes and drive it stops and I am still able to control it because it never goes into a slide.

I have the elocker which kills the ABS when engaged. Maybe there is a way to find out how the elocker computer kills the ABS when activated and put a switch on your runner that when flipped kills the ABS?

When Schied did the SAS on his tacoma I believe he just disconnected the ABS wires to the front end which shut down the ABS. I think sometime later he put in a proportioning valve. I think front range offroad may have some information on their website.

I wouldn't bother with a toyota proportioning valve. Like Krantz said front range has a manual one. Summit has the same valve with standard fittings cheaper. I just reflared the standard fittings on to my 85. Rerouting all the brake lines in the engine bay will be fun.

The spedo will still work with the main fues to the ABS disconnected.
These threads have some info on running a tcase speed sensor in a 4runner.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633740
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609488

Removing the ABS is on the to do list for my 97.

VerticalTRX wrote:Upon your instruction from the last time I had this problem, when the ABS kicks in I basically stand on the pedal as hard as I can....nothing. I'm beginning to think it is either a) a really crappy, primitive system, or b) malfunctioning. Regardless, you know how I hate it when a vehicle tries to 'think' for the drive. Even an automatic transmission is too much for me.

OK, sounds like a sh!t system.

Thanks for all the input. Next time it snows I'll try a couple of these options. Sounds like completely ditching the system and adding a manual proportioning valve will be the best bet though.

MtnToys wrote:
Removing the ABS is on the to do list for my 97.

For the same reasons as I'm having, or others?

VerticalTRX wrote:Thanks for all the input. Next time it snows I'll try a couple of these options. Sounds like completely ditching the system and adding a manual proportioning valve will be the best bet though.

MtnToys wrote:
Removing the ABS is on the to do list for my 97.

For the same reasons as I'm having, or others?

My guess is simply because it is Hippie

I bet also on that list you will find remove power windows, remove power door locks, remove remaining leather interior, remove carpet, etc.