Best 4WD system of 4runners

Tigerrob20 · Mar 21, 2012

I was reading the thread about items that were removed from the 4Runners between the 4th gen and 5th gen and it got me thinking. Which version of the 4Runner has the best 4WD drive system, not only for off road use, but all weather use as well. I guess we can go back all the way to the 1st gens here, but was just wondering what people thought.

FWIW, I have an 06 SE 4WD, and from what I am reading, it seems to have pretty good 4WD.

Thoughts?

Synister · Mar 21, 2012

"Best" means many things to many people. I think objectively the 4th gen V6 has the most versatile i.e. Most physically selectable modes of any 4runner. I also think the 4th gen system is the best blend of power, capability, and robustness of all the gens. Where I think "best" becomes a bone of contention is application. The multi mode switch, while versatile, is neither instantaneous nor 100% reliable. Case and point the numerous threads on this site detailing one or more modes of 4wd failing to enage/disengage/ beep/leak etc. Believers in the tried and true manual stick style would favor the return to such a system as found in the 5th gen. The third gen is kind of unique because the Limiteds had both an AWD capability and the old school bullet proof stick style 4wd. So your question of "best", like so many things on this site, comes down to personal preference. I appreciate both the capabilities and limitations of my system and for me, it's the best, not only among other T4rs but across the available systems on vehicles in general. A '99 Limited in 4wd is still a beast.

Sants · Mar 21, 2012

v8 4x4. I really like it but hate the traction control. My parents 98 limited was probably the best 4x4 or at least most fun I have driven. It felt like you had total control at all times.

mrpanic7 · Mar 21, 2012

Sants said:
v8 4x4. I really like it but hate the traction control. My parents 98 limited was probably the best 4x4 or at least most fun I have driven. It felt like you had total control at all times.

Why not just disable it?

emelianenkov · Mar 21, 2012

Sants said:
v8 4x4. I really like it but hate the traction control. My parents 98 limited was probably the best 4x4 or at least most fun I have driven. It felt like you had total control at all times.

I agree with mrpanic. Just disable your VSC. I did a thread about that a year or so ago. It's great!

zstampe · Mar 21, 2012

Sants said:
v8 4x4. I really like it but hate the traction control. My parents 98 limited was probably the best 4x4 or at least most fun I have driven. It felt like you had total control at all times.

Why is the v8 4x4 "the best"? It's no different than the v6 minus the v6's select ability of 4 or 2 wheel drive.

mrpanic7 · Mar 21, 2012

zstampe said:
Why is the v8 4x4 "the best"? It's no different than the v6 minus the v6's select ability of 4 or 2 wheel drive.

Honestly the only reason I would want the V8 or say its "better" is because of more torque and power especially when it comes to bigger wheels, which means less to deal with re-gearing or avoiding having to do so depending on wheel size. But at the same time the V8 is a little bit heavier so it can go both ways. I wouldnt say its better, but main advantage is just more power/torque

M1911 · Mar 21, 2012

mrpanic7 said:
Honestly the only reason I would want the V8 or say its "better" is because of more torque and power especially when it comes to bigger wheels,

Which has nothing to do with the question that the OP asked: which 4Runner has the best 4WD system.

I've got an '03 V8. While I prefer the V8 over the V6, the V6 has the more versatile 4WD system because it also has a 2WD mode that the V8 lacks.

GMZ · Mar 22, 2012

I would say the 4th Gen Trail Ed is up there.

KidVermicious · Mar 22, 2012

Synister said:
"Best" means many things to many people. I think objectively the 4th gen V6 has the most versatile i.e. Most physically selectable modes of any 4runner. I also think the 4th gen system is the best blend of power, capability, and robustness of all the gens. Where I think "best" becomes a bone of contention is application. The multi mode switch, while versatile, is neither instantaneous nor 100% reliable. Case and point the numerous threads on this site detailing one or more modes of 4wd failing to enage/disengage/ beep/leak etc. Believers in the tried and true manual stick style would favor the return to such a system as found in the 5th gen. The third gen is kind of unique because the Limiteds had both an AWD capability and the old school bullet proof stick style 4wd. So your question of "best", like so many things on this site, comes down to personal preference. I appreciate both the capabilities and limitations of my system and for me, it's the best, not only among other T4rs but across the available systems on vehicles in general. A '99 Limited in 4wd is still a beast.

Exactly right - it's all preference. I like the mechanically actuated transfer case and manual hubs in my '86 because they're bulletproof, but I like the pushbutton 4wd in my '00 Explorer because it's convenient.

NJshadow93 · Mar 22, 2012

I like the V8 4x4 too. Better than the V6 4WD in my opinion. I love the full time 4WD, it's ready for everything. You could be on a dry highway and all it takes is a brief shower to make it slick because of the oil. Full time 4WD low range and a center locker has gotta be the best IMO, especially powered by the V8.

crackiswack · Mar 22, 2012

NJshadow93 said:
I like the V8 4x4 too. Better than the V6 4WD in my opinion. I love the full time 4WD, it's ready for everything. You could be on a dry highway and all it takes is a brief shower to make it slick because of the oil. Full time 4WD low range and a center locker has gotta be the best IMO, especially powered by the V8.

How is it better than the v6 4wd? In every mode except 2HI they behave exactly the same

NJshadow93 · Mar 22, 2012

crackiswack said:
How is it better than the v6 4wd? In every mode except 2HI they behave exactly the same

Yes that is true, but the V8 is full time so you get the 4WD traction at all times without having to decide for yourself when you need it. Like I said, it is always ready for anything. Even on a dry highway, having 4WD will keep stability on windy days. Where as with the V6 part time system, you have to choose when you want 4WD, and it may not be engaged when you need it immediately (black ice, wet leaves, slick road). Full time 4WD also wears the tires down more evenly than a part-time system.

BlackWorksInc · Mar 22, 2012

Honestly, one of the reasons I bought the V8 4WD was because I didn't have to worry about switching it to 4WD when I needed it.

But whether or not it makes it the "best 4x4 system" that's debatable.

jimithing · Mar 22, 2012

NJshadow93 said:
Yes that is true, but the V8 is full time so you get the 4WD traction at all times without having to decide for yourself when you need it. Like I said, it is always ready for anything. Even on a dry highway, having 4WD will keep stability on windy days. Where as with the V6 part time system, you have to choose when you want 4WD, and it may not be engaged when you need it immediately (black ice, wet leaves, slick road). Full time 4WD also wears the tires down more evenly than a part-time system.

And you can choose to leave 4WD engaged at all times on a V6 if you want to.

I agree with what some of the other posters have said - it's all subjective. But if I had to pick I'd probably say the 09 Trail Editions.

M1911 · Mar 22, 2012

NJshadow93 said:
I like the V8 4x4 too. Better than the V6 4WD in my opinion. I love the full time 4WD, it's ready for everything. You could be on a dry highway and all it takes is a brief shower to make it slick because of the oil. Full time 4WD low range and a center locker has gotta be the best IMO, especially powered by the V8.

Dude, IT IS THE SAME DARN SYSTEM plus one more mode!!!

The V6 has the VERY SAME LOCKING TORSEN CENTER DIFF!!!! You can run the V6 in 4WD on a dry highway just like you run your V8. You don't have to run the V6 in 2WD. It just gives you one more choice.

For goodness sakes.

NJshadow93 · Mar 22, 2012

M1911 said:
Dude, IT IS THE SAME DARN SYSTEM plus one more mode!!!

The V6 has the VERY SAME LOCKING TORSEN CENTER DIFF!!!! You can run the V6 in 4WD on a dry highway just like you run your V8. You don't have to run the V6 in 2WD. It just gives you one more choice.

For goodness sakes.

Honestly, did you even read my post? I'm not taking anything away from the V6. I am simply saying that it is a part-time system, being that it is not full-time like the V8. With the V6, you have to DECIDE FOR YOURSELF when to put it into 4WD. Sure, that's easy when it's snowing out, but not so easy when you're doing 70 mph down the dry interstate toward that slick oil spot in the lane that is about to throw you out of control. If you were already in 4WD, which chances are low if you're in the V6, you wouldn't have had a problem. Get what I'm saying now?

zstampe · Mar 22, 2012

NJshadow93 said:
Honestly, did you even read my post? I'm not taking anything away from the V6. I am simply saying that it is a part-time system, being that it is not full-time like the V8. With the V6, you have to DECIDE FOR YOURSELF when to put it into 4WD. Sure, that's easy when it's snowing out, but not so easy when you're doing 70 mph down the dry interstate toward that slick oil spot in the lane that is about to throw you out of control. If you were already in 4WD, which chances are low if you're in the V6, you wouldn't have had a problem. Get what I'm saying now?

Ugh..... No he doesn't get what you're saying. No one does because it doesn't make any sense. Put the v6 in four wheel drive and forget about the goddamn switch if 4wd is going to save you from "black ice" as you say. Which 4wd will do zero for you anyways.

JB. · Mar 22, 2012

NJshadow93 prefers locking-in the choice for his future self at the time of purchase.

I get it.

zstampe · Mar 22, 2012

JB. said:
NJshadow93 prefers locking-in the choice for his future self at the time of purchase.

I get it.

Lol.

Best 4WD system of 4runners

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