[907YOTA]

07 V6 with 120,000. Live in Alaska so its in four wheel drive all winter. Just wondering if it's ok when taking long trips to leave it in four wheel drive or if that's bad for the front diff or transfer case.

Thanks

[guiltyxxspark]

I'd say unless you're actively trying to get out of a situation leave it in 2WD.

[Keros]

All the 4th Gen v8 4x4's are Full Time 4WD. All V6 4x4's have a "muilti-mode" transfer case.

Assuming you have a V6:

The Center Diff Lock is an independent function from 4WD in the transfer case.

In practice, this means putting the truck in 4x4 (the knob on the dash) does not lock the center differential... so you can do U-turns on dry pavement in 4 wheel drive without any issues (if you wanted to).

You would need to engage the center differential lock to "lock up" into part time, aka traditional 4x4 mode. Then you would not want to drive at highway speeds or do U-turns on dry pavement. Or be on dry pavement at all for that matter.

When unlocked, the center differential provides 60% torque to the rear axle, 40% to the front... hence the very RWD handling the trucks have.

In Full-Time Mode or in 2WD would likely have little impact on anything other than fuel economy. And supposedly, it has little impact on that too in most conditions. So if you've got it, use it. Further, cruising around ALL THE TIME in 2WD is not great for the transfer case. It has to be cycled in and out of 2WD/4WD, locked/unlocked, and HI/LOW Range constantly to keep it working properly. All those functions are independent on the V6, I believe.

My full-time V8 on General Grabber AT2s was significantly more capable on slippery highways than my friend's RWD Tacoma on true winter tires. Having the front axle engaged with the center differential open makes a universe of difference in stability.

[907YOTA]

Thank you for the info Keros. I'm a little confused about one thing, are you saying the center diff lock is something automatically controlled when you put it in four wheel drive or something manually engaged somehow?

Sorry if that's a stupid question!

[BackOff]

Originally Posted by 907YOTA

07 V6 with 120,000. Live in Alaska so its in four wheel drive all winter. Just wondering if it's ok when taking long trips to leave it in four wheel drive or if that's bad for the front diff or transfer case.

Thanks

You can run it in 4wd HIGH, fine at speed. DONT lock the center diff lock on the highway.

I had mine in 4x4 for over 3 months last winter...tons of that awful cold white stuff. MPG will go down.

[simple]

I have driven 500mi in terrible weather at highway speeds in my old V6 04 and not a single issue. I also had a 2015, which is true 4wd with locked center diff, and have driven that at high ways speeds in 4wd. The trick is not turning, as when the center diff is locked all the wheels are locked at the same speed. When you turn the wheels begin to turn at different speeds, and if they’re locked it creates binding in the dif. A good rule of thumb I once read on the 5th gen forum is any turn you can make at greater than 30mph should be ok. And from my experience in my 5th gen, that was solid. If there was binding, I could feel it release when I shifted back into 2wd, and didn’t have any issues adhering to that rule of thumb.

But as others have mentioned, this isn’t a concern in the 4th gen, unless you lock the center diff.

[dasx86]

Originally Posted by Keros

All the 4th Gen v8 4x4's are Full Time 4WD. All V6 4x4's have a "muilti-mode" transfer case.

Assuming you have a V6:

The Center Diff Lock is an independent function from 4WD in the transfer case.

In practice, this means putting the truck in 4x4 (the knob on the dash) does not lock the center differential... so you can do U-turns on dry pavement in 4 wheel drive without any issues (if you wanted to).

You would need to engage the center differential lock to "lock up" into part time, aka traditional 4x4 mode. Then you would not want to drive at highway speeds or do U-turns on dry pavement. Or be on dry pavement at all for that matter.

When unlocked, the center differential provides 60% torque to the rear axle, 40% to the front... hence the very RWD handling the trucks have.

In Full-Time Mode or in 2WD would likely have little impact on anything other than fuel economy. And supposedly, it has little impact on that too in most conditions. So if you've got it, use it. Further, cruising around ALL THE TIME in 2WD is not great for the transfer case. It has to be cycled in and out of 2WD/4WD, locked/unlocked, and HI/LOW Range constantly to keep it working properly. All those functions are independent on the V6, I believe.

My full-time V8 on General Grabber AT2s was significantly more capable on slippery highways than my friend's RWD Tacoma on true winter tires. Having the front axle engaged with the center differential open makes a universe of difference in stability.

This is why the 4th gen setup is superior to the 5th gen setup. Can't run 4WD with an open diff on the 5th gens. Unless you have the Limited full-time 4WD, which can be open or locked. But then you don't have 2WD.

[Roadtripr]

Originally Posted by 907YOTA

Thank you for the info Keros. I'm a little confused about one thing, are you saying the center diff lock is something automatically controlled when you put it in four wheel drive or something manually engaged somehow?

Sorry if that's a stupid question!

Yes, the center differential lock should be a separate button (left of the steering wheel). The center diff is open and automatically works as AWD when not pressed (you can drive on hard surfaces without problems). Press the center diff button for a few seconds and you will see a different 4wd symbol in you dash (I wouldn't use the locked mode for highway driving as you loose VSC).

2WD, 4Hi, 4lo is the round selector dial sitting by the stereo (to the right of the steering wheel). This controls whether the front wheels get engaged and or lower gears.

[Johnson51]

Driving in 4H is 100 percent ok in the 4th gens. Read through the owners manual if you have any major concerns. The forums are always a good resource as well!

[907YOTA]

Wow, it’s all making sense now. I’m pretty sure i read about that button when i first bought it but didn’t quite understand. I noticed how smoothly it turned at slow speeds compared to other trucks I’ve had in the past, you kind of get the front wheel hop when making sharp turns in 4x4.

Thank you guys very much for the info and your time!


Jeff

[Bumbo]

Originally Posted by dasx86

Unless you have the Limited full-time 4WD, which can be open or locked. But then you don't have 2WD.

Which also makes it no different than the V8 4th gen... minus the V8 part lol.

Originally Posted by dasx86

This is why the 4th gen setup is superior to the 5th gen setup. Can't run 4WD with an open diff on the 5th gens. .

Say that on the 5th Gen forums and everyone will tell you that there is no use to being able to run AWD on the pavement, or what it isn't a "big deal", or what it provides little benefit. Guess the Pro, Trail, SR5 are in denial.

That said... The Torsen center TC is the main reason I went with a Limited on the 5th Gen. I would have preferred a GX just for the V8 if the front grill didn't look like womens underwear.

[Waldo_s]

Random question....since 4th gen diff lock is an electronic one. Does it still need to be exercised regularly like 4 Hi and 4 Lo? I know those things are mechanical but since its 'electronic' does it need the constant exercise?

Thanks

[JB.]

Originally Posted by Waldo_s

Random question....since 4th gen diff lock is an electronic one. Does it still need to be exercised regularly like 4 Hi and 4 Lo? I know those things are mechanical but since its 'electronic' does it need the constant exercise?

Thanks

Always a good idea. There's a mechanical component to all of them but initiation in all is electronic.

When you're in full time 4wd you can hit the diff lock button while driving straight anytime you like. Doesn't even have to be perfectly straight, either. A small amount of steering wheel turn won't prevent it from smoothly engaging. Should go in and out quite easily.

[Waldo_s]

Originally Posted by JB.

Always a good idea. There's a mechanical component to all of them but initiation in all is electronic.

When you're in full time 4wd you can hit the diff lock button while driving straight anytime you like. Doesn't even have to be perfectly straight, either. A small amount of steering wheel turn won't prevent it from smoothly engaging. Should go in and out quite easily.

Yea, I guess I should still engage it every now and then, won't hurt in the long run anyway.
I always utilize 4Lo but haven't engaged diff lock in awhile thinking it didn't need the constant exercise.

Thanks !

[madeinhb]

Originally Posted by Waldo_s

Random question....since 4th gen diff lock is an electronic one. Does it still need to be exercised regularly like 4 Hi and 4 Lo? I know those things are mechanical but since its 'electronic' does it need the constant exercise?



Thanks

Yes. And there is a thread here that people post monthly as a reminder to engage and disengage the 4x4.