Is Torsen in the Limited?

Looking at Toyotas website and the 4runner brochure, I see no mention of Torsen for 4runner (or FJ, Sequoia), only Land Cruiser. I've always assumed the 2010 Limited had it but I'm trying to remember why I concluded that. I'm guessing it was all the discussion about it when 5th was coming out. It's a natural leap to assume the Torsen carries over into the 5th gen full-time 4WD. A question in another thread about the absence of low range, unlocked made me finally connect the two as possibly being related and prompted me to make this thread.

Maybe Toyota just wants to reserve using the Torsen name for Land Cruiser, but that leads to the question of why bother with the expense of putting a Torsen in other vehicles if you're not going to say it's there.

I still tend to think the Limited has a Torsen diff but I can't seem to verify it with something current from Toyota. Can anyone else?

(If anyone decides to email Toyota, be prepared to see this line on the website: "It may take several weeks to receive a response to your inquiry.)

The Limited has the Torsen diff. I was looking through the TIS the other day and it specifically calls out the Torsen diff for the Limited models. The TE and SR5 are selectable, part time 4WD w/ a transfer case & no center diff.

Quentin said:

The Limited has the Torsen diff. I was looking through the TIS the other day and it specifically calls out the Torsen diff for the Limited models. The TE and SR5 are selectable, part time 4WD w/ a transfer case & no center diff.

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Ah, thanks. I guess it's just selective use of the term for marketing.

After some research....The 5th Limiteds have the VF4BM transfer case assembly with the Torsen center diff. according to the 5th repair manual.(Thanks again Nashman!)
The SR5/TE's use the VF2A transfer assembly.

Googling "Toyota VF4BM".......That's the exact same one used on the 4th Gens,Sequoias,Tundras,Lexus's,LC's and Prados with 4x4 ,to name a few ,for many years.
http://www.panavi.kz/4runner/215/RM1001U/RM1001U_1939-1944.pdf
Tried and true drivetrain with the weak spot being the rear diffs which they updated/upgraded to the 8.4 along with the LC 150 frames.

JB. said:

Maybe Toyota just wants to reserve using the Torsen name for Land Cruiser, but that leads to the question of why bother with the expense of putting a Torsen in other vehicles if you're not going to say it's there.

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In my opinion,the most likely reason they don't advertize that it's there on the Limiteds is because it was something the bean counters cut out of the SR5's and TE's. Let sleeping dogs lie!
Supposedly saves Toyota a couple of grand a piece going with the VF2A part time.The VF4BM with Torsen used to be standard on ALL 4X4 4th Gens including the 2009 Trail Ed. that had the rear locker and multi mode,but no KDSS.

My guess is if they had put the torsen in the TE with KDSS,electronics and rear locker that the price would have had to have been more or about the same then the flagship Limiteds. I would have bought one ,regardless.

harper7 said:

I would have bought one ,regardless.

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+1234 :cheers:

I didn't want to pay for all the bells and whistles on the limited since it will really get used as a utility vehicle in my world, but I would have gladly paid an extra couple of grand for it as an option on the SR5, but since that wasn't a possibility, I went without. Probably my biggest disappointment with a vehicle I otherwise love.

harper7 said:

After some research....The 5th Limiteds have the VF4BM transfer case assembly with the Torsen center diff. according to the 5th repair manual.(Thanks again Nashman!)
The SR5/TE's use the VF2A transfer assembly.

Googling "Toyota VF4BM".......That's the exact same one used on the 4th Gens,Sequoias,Tundras,Lexus's,LC's and Prados with 4x4 ,to name a few ,for many years.
http://www.panavi.kz/4runner/215/RM1001U/RM1001U_1939-1944.pdf
Tried and true drivetrain with the weak spot being the rear diffs which they updated/upgraded to the 8.4 along with the LC 150 frames.



In my opinion,the most likely reason they don't advertize that it's there on the Limiteds is because it was something the bean counters cut out of the SR5's and TE's. Let sleeping dogs lie!
Supposedly saves Toyota a couple of grand a piece going with the VF2A part time.The VF4BM with Torsen used to be standard on ALL 4X4 4th Gens including the 2009 Trail Ed. that had the rear locker and multi mode,but no KDSS.

My guess is if they had put the torsen in the TE with KDSS,electronics and rear locker that the price would have had to have been more or about the same then the flagship Limiteds. I would have bought one ,regardless.

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Then the Land Cruisers will be phased out since all the goodies are all available in the 5th gen if they installed the torsen in the TE.

Now the question is, can we swap the VF4BM in place of the VF2A? That will be a cool mod in the future:bluejump:

4x4CPOSEADOG said:

Then the Land Cruisers will be phased out since all the goodies are all available in the 5th gen if they installed the torsen in the TE.

Now the question is, can we swap the VF4BM in place of the VF2A? That will be a cool mod in the future:bluejump:

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Then they would have been eating into the new GX460 sales too. GX460's have it all but I personally don't like the looks and rear barn door.
Lexus Vehicles : Lexus Introduces Second-Generation GX 460 Luxury SUV for 2010 / Toyota

VF4BM swap is probably doable if you have the money! And lots of it!

harper7 said:

Then they would have been eating into the new GX460 sales too. GX460's have it all but I personally don't like the looks and rear barn door.
Lexus Vehicles : Lexus Introduces Second-Generation GX 460 Luxury SUV for 2010 / Toyota

VF4BM swap is probably doable if you have the money! And lots of it!

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Wow! Thanks for the link. If the GX 460's engine/tranny/drivetrain plus locking rear locking differential were installed on the TE then it would be a dream machine. Must be nice to have a V8 with 329 ft lbs of torque under the hood of TE. I agree, I don't like the looks on 460 either.