Why is V8 Full Time AWD? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

DaveK22 · 10-13-2012, 09:22 AM

I have been shopping for a 4th Gen for a few months now. Not in a hurry so taking my time till I find the right one.

I have ruled out the V8 mainly because I don't like the idea of full time AWD. Why did Toyota do that? Wouldn't gas mileage be much better if you could turn it off...like the the V6?

Any V8 owners agree that they would like the option to go RWD? Also, I have read a few posts saying the mpg isn't that much different...maybe so but just hard to fathom how that can be.

NJshadow93 · 10-13-2012, 10:10 AM

I prefer full time 4WD. I would chew through tires if I could put my V8 in 2WD with all the torque. But I think Toyota did it for towing purposes. As for gas mileage, the decrease in gas mileage is mainly from the weight of the 4WD system. V6 owners don't report much of a difference when driving in 4WD vs 2WD.

EDIT: Fixed so it would make sense. Attempted using the browser on my phone to type the original one lol

Synister · 10-13-2012, 10:36 AM

NJshadow is right, there is not much difference in fuel consumption between 2wd and awd, maybe .3-.5 worse in awd. With this type of system, almost all of the driveline drag is constant whether engaged or not. I almost always have mine in 2wd because I notice a slight increase in steering torque feedback (like a front drive car) when turning and in awd mode. While I do like having the ability to choose 2wd, the V8 is such a great engine and the 4wd system on these vehicles is so seamless I would think 2x about eliminating the V8 option simply because of not having 2wd.

Nathana92 · 10-13-2012, 10:47 AM

I'm glad I don't have the option to select 2wd with the V8. My pretty mud terrains would just get converted to smoke.tehe

Gerdo · 10-13-2012, 10:47 AM

I do believe that it is a full time four wheel drive and technically not ALL wheel drive.

There is a huge difference between the two.

M1911 · 10-13-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK22

I have been shopping for a 4th Gen for a few months now. Not in a hurry so taking my time till I find the right one.

I have ruled out the V8 mainly because I don't like the idea of full time AWD. Why did Toyota do that? Wouldn't gas mileage be much better if you could turn it off...like the the V6?

Most of the reports from V6 and V8 owners are that the V6 only gets 1-2 mpg better than the V8. So I doubt that V8 mileage would be much better if it had a multi-mode system.

Quote:

Any V8 owners agree that they would like the option to go RWD?

I don't see any reason for it.

Synister · 10-13-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerdo

I do believe that it is a full time four wheel drive and technically not ALL wheel drive.

There is a huge difference between the two.

Pretty sure the 4th gen qualifies as AWD due to the torque split front to rear and ability for more or less torque to be applied as conditions warrant. The torsen center diff is the same one used in Audi's quattro system, ours is just lockable.

rebelbowtie · 10-13-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synister

Pretty sure the 4th gen qualifies as AWD due to the torque split front to rear and ability for more or less torque to be applied as conditions warrant. The torsen center diff is the same one used in Audi's quattro system, ours is just lockable.

Exactly!

NJshadow93 · 10-13-2012, 11:24 AM

I used to drive a 2005 RAV4 before my 4Runner, that was considered full time 4WD and not AWD. The new ones however ARE considered AWD though from what I understand. Beats the hell out of me.

JB. · 10-13-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK22

I have ruled out the V8 mainly because I don't like the idea of full time AWD. Why did Toyota do that?

I'm guessing it's because it's the same (luxury) drive train that was on the Lexus GX and Land Cruiser.

rebelbowtie · 10-13-2012, 04:35 PM

I think it's pretty asinine to discount the v8 based on the fact it's AWD. It is a Torsen T6 differential which is identical to world renowned Audi Quattro system. Once you own an AWD vehicle you won't want to go back, I know after owning my Audi I will never buy another non AWD car unless it's a pick up truck.

Flyer · 10-13-2012, 05:00 PM

Could someone explain how the 4R AWD system works? For example, this is what I know (or think I know) about Subarus:

Auto: 90% Front; 10% Rear till the wheels sense slippage- then is becomes 60% Front and 40% Rear.

Manual: 50%-50% split all the time.

Not sure if that is correct but it is what I have gathered from posts online. I'd like to know how the V8 4R AWD system works. If you can compare it to an Auto Subaru, that would be even cooler.

BlackWorksInc · 10-13-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synister

Pretty sure the 4th gen qualifies as AWD due to the torque split front to rear and ability for more or less torque to be applied as conditions warrant. The torsen center diff is the same one used in Audi's quattro system, ours is just lockable.

The V8 is considered All-Time 4 Wheel Drive, the reason being simply that while we have a central differential much like many other AWD systems, we also have a Hi & Low range gearing in our transfer case along with the locking ability, they are more similar in function to a Selectable 4WD system than a true AWD system that only has one set of gearing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK22

I have been shopping for a 4th Gen for a few months now. Not in a hurry so taking my time till I find the right one.

I have ruled out the V8 mainly because I don't like the idea of full time AWD. Why did Toyota do that? Wouldn't gas mileage be much better if you could turn it off...like the the V6?

Any V8 owners agree that they would like the option to go RWD? Also, I have read a few posts saying the mpg isn't that much different...maybe so but just hard to fathom how that can be.

If you're shopping for a 4Runner based on gas mileage, just stop right now.

I'm not trying to be rude, but people seem to make this mistake far too much. While better gas mileage is ideal, most Body on Frame SUV's seem to get around 16~18mpg realistically on average. The V6 & V8 powertrains have little mpg difference due to weight more than anything else. If 20 miles per tank is that important to you, you're in the wrong market for a vehicle like this. Its like someone wanting to buy a heavy duty diesel 3500 truck for hauling construction equipment fretting that the competitor's has 1mpg more rather than the fact the models may have totally different hauling abilities.

The best thing you can do is look at the average MPG, settle for that and figure out if it is in your budget to afford the fuel ON TOP of the vehicle cost. I am not happy that my V8 guzzles gas (at $4.67 ish, its about $90 to fill 20ish gallons), but I knew full well I would have to budget for a possible $5 a gallon operating cost for the power, reliability, and over all satisfaction of having, (In my honest opinion) one the the best modern body on frame midsized SUV on the market.

As for why Toyota did not provide an option to shift the vehicle into 2WD? Honestly, I'm not sure. It could have been as simply as they thought tire wear, wasted power to the wheels, and over all performance just wasn't worth it. The all-time 4WD system on the V8's is far better than those horrible ones found in Jeeps, GMs, Honda, ect. The V8's system provides great performance, reliability, and comfort to the point that you really don't notice the difference between a 2WD system. Granted, if you're cornering the vehicle like a race car and wanting burnouts for fun, then you may not be happy with it, but in normal driving, off-road, and over all conditions the All-Time 4WD system is such a nice design, most V6 driver's leave their vehicles in 4Hi to get the same benefits.

Cosmic · 10-13-2012, 06:37 PM

My 03 Limited V8 is a blast to drive. It's also my first AWD vehicle and won't be my last. The torque of the V8 in combination with AWD is fun as hell at stop lights. Wet or dry, the truck jumps off the line with no wheel spin or drama. It's really addicting. My 4runner is my daily driver even though I own other vehicles that get better mileage. I love this Toyota.

Presta24 · 10-13-2012, 06:49 PM

I have the V8 and love the awd or full time 4WD, whichever lol, its amazing in the rain, I have tried m hardest to spin em in the rain with very little luck. Its nice to know when traveling on the hwy in snow or rain, you have that added traction. Like BlackWorks said, if a few miles a tank is gonna sway you away from the V8......

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