Please explain the transfer case settings on the 2016 T4R Limited

I have a friend who just bought a new 2016 LTD. Can someone explain to me how the dial-type transfer case works, and what the settings mean/what conditions they are for?

It is my understanding that the Limited is the only trim that has AWD...

Thanks in advance.

starclassic said:

I have a friend who just bought a new 2016 LTD. Can someone explain to me how the dial-type transfer case works, and what the settings mean/what conditions they are for?

It is my understanding that the Limited is the only trim that has AWD...

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

1. There is a very good explanation of the 4WD (not AWD) operation of the Limited in the Owner's Manual.
2. Here is a quick explanation from a member http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ull-time-4wd-system-like-awd.html#post1240885

Don't have a limited myself, but straight out of the manual:

H4F (high speed position)
Use this for normal driving on dry hard-surfaced roads. This position gives
greater economy, quietest ride and least wear.
H4L (high speed position, center differential locked)
Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide, like off-road, icy or snow-covered roads.
L4L (low speed position, center differential locked)
Use this for maximum power and traction. Use “L4L” for climbing or descending steep hills, off-road driving, and hard pulling in sand, mud or deep snow.

The limiteds have a center diff to allow front vs rear "slip" that allows full-time 4wd. It can be locked to make it effectively the same as part-time 4wd in 4hi or 4lo. And yes the limited is only one with the center diff.

Also see here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html
Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel-Drive: Everything You Need to Know

Good luck.

what is the difference between the center locking diff on the Limited and the rear locker onthe trail?

MLPbrian said:

what is the difference between the center locking diff on the Limited and the rear locker onthe trail?

Click to expand...

Trail is part-time 4wd, no center diff so front and rear always "locked" via the transfer case when in 4wd. Limited H4L = Trail/SR5 4H. Limited L4L = Trail/SR5 4L. Rear locker (when engaged) on trail "locks" right and left rear wheels together for times when one has significantly less traction than the other, extreme example one wheel off the ground and the other stuffed (without locker wheel in air spins, wheel on ground doesn't move.

The best long-term strategy is to understand how the center differential works on the Limited. That way you can make you own choices about how to use the CD. And by the way, many people distinguish between AWD and 4WD. And even with 4WD, there are many different systems. The Limited uses a Torsen Center Differential.

As a bit of background, the Torsen CD, when unlocked (H4F), distributes torque to both front and rear axles at all times. The default torque distribution is 40% front and 60% rear, but it will change (max 30F,70R; 53F,47R) to increase torque distribution to the axle with greater traction. It also allows the front and rear drive shafts to turn at different RPM’s (Torsen calls this “differentiation”). Without differentiation, you couldn’t turn corners on dry pavement.

When the CD is locked (H4L or L4L) it acts just like a part-time 4WD such as an SR5 with an engaged 4WD. No torque management and no differentiation. The torque distribution is fixed at 50F and 50R, and the drive shafts are locked to a single rotational speed. Relative axle traction is ignored. And as with a part-time 4WD, the same warnings are given for a locked CD: driving on dry pavement is not recommended.

Some owners will shift to a locked 4WD in snowy and icy conditions and on unpaved roads, but others almost never do unless stuck in a ditch or something similar. The unlocked CD is already engaging both front and rears axles. If there is a loss of traction, the CD will send torque to the axle with greater traction. You are never in a position where no torque is applied to an axle.

If you want to use the low gears (L4L), you are forced to lock the CD since there is no L4F setting on the dial. On some older 4Runners, I believe you could do that.

The best way to learn is have fun and experiment in safe places!

Lots of helpful answers here. Thanks very much everyone!

Some good info here. Thanks!

You should only lock the center diff when off-road or on slick surfaces..It's also fine to use it on any surface as long as you are going pretty straight and can take all the turns over 30mph.. but if you had a limited with the torsion center their would be absolutely no reason to use that most of the time.

If you are off-road in a very limited traction scenario (like climbing a loose hill)... consider 4L. I personally don't find myself in many situations that require 4H. If I'm going that fast... I typically don't need 4wd at all. So If I had a limited.. I would keep the center open unless I was in a real trail situation...

I run into a lot of people on trails stuck or struggling and tearing up their trucks in 4H....The fact that it requires you to shift to N before going to 4L stops many goof balls from using it. I usually say, "are you in 4Lo". answer: "No there is something wrong with it... It just blinks when I try it"...

There is a general guideline when in extreme terrain that everyone should use... Slow as possible as fast as necessary. This almost always dictates 4L going both up and down....