Re: No V8 and no center diff in SR5 and TE models...

Martinjmpr

Martinjmpr

New member
Re: No V8 and no center diff in SR5 and TE models...

Regarding all the recent gnashing of teeth and rending of clothes that has accompanied Toyota's decision to exclude the V8 and the torsen center diff from the 5th gen (except the limited which gets full time 4x4 with the torsen,)something to consider:

Personally I don't consider either a V8 or the Torsen center diff to be neccessary in the 4runner (my '99 has neither and I get around just fine) but it doesn't seem like it would be terribly difficult for Toyota to add either or both to the 5th gen line if they thought the demand was there.

As I understand it the Canadians already get full time 4wd in all of their 4runner models, and adding a 2wd mode to that shouldn't be an insurmountable obstacle. And the Prado/GX gets a V8, doesn't it? Which means adapting the V8 to the 5th gen should not be hard either.

Toyota makes lots of changes to its models throughout their life cycle. Was the 4th gen offered with the V8 in 2003? I know for certain that the Torsen center diff was introduced midway through the 3rd gen life cycle, so I can easily see them doing the same thing here.

Bottom line, just because the 5th gen isn't available with the V8 or torsen today doesn't mean it will never be available without them.
 
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All the more reason to keep up the complaining! We know they CAN do it "if there is demand", so we need to demonstrate that demand in every way possible. Public Internet forums do matter, as does talking with dealer managers.

Martinjmpr said:
.. it doesn't seem like it would be terribly difficult for Toyota to add either or both to the 5th gen line if they thought the demand was there.
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No V8 and lack of a center diff are both deal killers for me. Soon as the local dealers get some '10s on the lot I plan on taking a long test drive and act like I am really interested, then I'll let the salesperson know why I won't be buying one.
 
vando45 said:
No V8 and lack of a center diff are both deal killers for me. Soon as the local dealers get some '10s on the lot I plan on taking a long test drive and act like I am really interested, then I'll let the salesperson know why I won't be buying one.
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if those are the deal killers, why even bother test driving one? Save the salesperson time and the vehicle miles.....The salesperson could care less why you dont like it, if ever take a toyota survey or send a letter expressing your concerns to the gm of the dealership or toyota. Not having a center torsen diff during a test drive will not make a difference, and neither will the missing torque, unless you plan on towing something during the test drive??
 
Elton H said:
ill stick with a 3rd gen since they have a 5spd
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+1

I almost bought a brand new 3rd gen in 2002 and then they hit me with the news that the 5spd manual was discontinued. Couldn't afford to pony up for a used one cause I had to finance through the dealer so till this day, I still really wish I had a 3rd gen SR5 V6
 
Elton H said:
ill stick with a 3rd gen since they have a 5spd
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It would be nice if they offered a 6 speed manual in the 4 cyl version.

Actually, it would be nice if they offered a "poverty package" 4runner with a 4 cyl, 6 speed manual, hand crank windows and rubber floormats, but that's never going to happen...
 
vando45 said:
No V8 and lack of a center diff are both deal killers for me. Soon as the local dealers get some '10s on the lot I plan on taking a long test drive and act like I am really interested, then I'll let the salesperson know why I won't be buying one.
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Trail has locking rear diff. Isn't that all you really need?
 
adkinsadam1 said:
Trail has locking rear diff. Isn't that all you really need?
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Um, no. The locking rear diff is for use offroad. The locking rear diff does not allow you to drive in 4WD on dry pavement. The lockable, limited-slip Torsen center diff is for use both on road and off.
 
M1911 said:
Um, no. The locking rear diff is for use offroad. The locking rear diff does not allow you to drive in 4WD on dry pavement. The lockable, limited-slip Torsen center diff is for use both on road and off.
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Why do you need 4WD on dry pavement anyway?
 
adkinsadam1 said:
Why do you need 4WD on dry pavement anyway?
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Because here in the Northeast, we have snow in the winter. The road often changes from dry to wet to partly snow covered to completely snow covered and back in just a 1/2 mile or so. If the road is wet or has some slush on it, and you need to start up fast to accelerate into a break in the traffic, with full-time 4WD you just punch it and the truck goes. Much less slipping and sliding than if you were in 2WD.

Furthermore, when you are on a completely snow covered road, a part-time 4WD provides worse traction than a full-time 4WD with Torsen center diff. On a part-time 4WD, the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed. But as you go around a corner, the front of the car takes a longer path than the rear. So if you are in 4WD with a part-time system, at least one tire is slipping.

In contrast, a full-time 4WD system with a Torsen center diff allows the front and rear driveshafts to rotate at different speeds. So you don't have that slipping when cornering in the snow.
 
Really, the 4runner made it 17-18 (?) years with no V8 and earlier models are just as capable if not more capable off road than 4th gens with a V8. The only place a V8 would help is towing HIGH weights in the mountains... if that's a deal breaker for you then why do you want a off-road based vehicle? Get a tundra, larger toyota, or some crappy Ford/GM thing.
Also, the center torsen diff. really only is beneficial in areas like the NE when you're TURNING! I agree it would be nice, but not a huge deal IMO. My 2000 does fine.
Just my 2cents....
 
tineman06 said:
Really, the 4runner made it 17-18 (?) years with no V8 and earlier models are just as capable if not more capable off road than 4th gens with a V8.
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The earlier models weighed 1000 lbs less than the 4th gen, and 1400 lbs less than the 5th gen.
 
tineman06 said:
Also, the center torsen diff. really only is beneficial in areas like the NE when you're TURNING! I agree it would be nice, but not a huge deal IMO. My 2000 does fine.
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Of course, your 2000 limited HAS a center diff. Since 2001 (or was it 02), all 4wd 4runners have had a center diff. Until now...
 
M1911 said:
The earlier models weighed 1000 lbs less than the 4th gen, and 1400 lbs less than the 5th gen.
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My 2000 Limited weighs in at just about 4000lbs. Although sightly underpowered IMO, it offered 183 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 217 lb./ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm.

The 5th gen TE weighs in at 4750lbs. The new V6 offers 270 hp at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm.

I have faith that the 5th gen will have plenty of power, although I'll reserve final judgment until I drive one...

jh26 said:
Of course, your 2000 limited HAS a center diff. Since 2001 (or was it 02), all 4wd 4runners have had a center diff. Until now...
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Yea, I realized that after I posted, but still, earlier 3rd gens do fine as well....
 
Wow, now I am confused..maybe concerned. Although I live in Florida right now I am planning to commission into the Army and of course could be stationed anywhere. So, of course after having wanted a 4runner forever I figured that this would be at least a 10-15year vehicle for me and hence I wanted to get the best 4wd just in case I was stationed in an area requiring a 4wd vehicle (and to play down here in the woods in the mean time). Having never lived in a state with snow I have ignorantly just thought 4wd is fine but everyone is saying that this center differential is necessary??? Without getting into the v8 vs v6 debate I personally don't have any use for the v8 or the potential mpg loss. How does this 5ht gen 4wd compare to the current Tacoma TRD offroad? Also, when I would drive from Tampa to Orlando in torrential rain that caused some flooding I would drive my step moms 95 in 4wd high under 65mph I am understanding that I could have messed up the drive train by doing that? (I thought the owners manual said it was okay)
 
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