Has anyone heard of any issues with the full time 4wd? Is the full time 4wd implemented in the landcruisers and other vehicles? How has it been working in those vehicles?
Thanks

TL,

The full-time system in TLC & LX470 has been flawless. The center differential is GEAR-based, both in TLC (50/50 split all the time) and your 4Runner's Tosen Center Diff. Gear-based center differential is very reliable (preferred by off-roading crowd) and very fast acting. In theory, it is faster acting than the vicous coupling center diff found on RX300 and Highlander AWD. In addition, it is relatively maintenance free.

The ONLY potentially negative thing about GEAR-based units is that IF you have either the front or rear AXLE withOUT traction (both front or both rear wheels spinning), then all power will go to the axle that does not have traction, which is bad. HOWEVER, the center diff on your 4runner (& TLC, LX470) has a LOCKING FEATURE, allowing you to have 50/50 split when off-roading (which will kill VSC when you lock the center diff). Therefore, it is a moot point to even talk about this "negative" aspect.

(BTW, Torsen = Torque-Sensing)

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info Thai

Just curious, would you happen to know for how long this gear differential has been implemented?

TL,

For the 4Runner, the gear-based center differential has been around since it's introduction in 1999. I believe the current gen of Land Cruisers/LX470 have it since that time too. I am not sure what the previous generation of Land Cruiser uses.

VSC and A-TRAC was first introduced in the Land Cruiser in 2000. Then, in 2001, the 4Runners got the same system. That was also when the 4Runners got 4-channel 4-sensor ABS system.

Hope this helps.

Thai ... all the info you gave is great!!! thanks

If I didn't know better, I would bet he is the one that designs the 4Runners

a one man knowledge base!!

Hey all,

Well, this is my hobby...i read up on these little facts. Yeah, i should go out more often!

Thanks.