^ not even remotely correct.

This is news to me. I believed that the limited awd had a center differential that the part time 4 wheel drive lack. Therefore causing the transfer case to wear out prematurely.

Exclusive to the 4Runner Limited, the full-time 4WD system uses a Torsen® center differential with locking feature and a three-mode, center console-mounted switch. The system uses a 40:60 torque split in most driving situations and alters that in response to slippage. If the front wheels are slipping while the vehicle is turning, the Torsen® differential changes the split to 30:70. If the rear wheels slip while the vehicle is turning, the differential changes to a 53:47 split.

Yes the limited has an AWD transfer case. VF4BM I think. Like I said. I don't think that has any bearing on max speed other than to suggest that there's not a constraint from the front axle system. Presumably going north of 100mph is unlikely to involve tight corners where the center differential would come into play.

There's really nothing you can do to damage it. The system is robust and can handle being driven in 4x4 on dry pavement all you want at any speed it will go. It'll just be uncomfortable on tight corners where it'll bind up. It's possible it could cause some handling issues as well on curvy roads if you're pushing the limits of available traction. But you won't break anything. It takes a lot more stress and abuse off road.

And you won't overheat the 4x4 components at speed.

IMO - toss it in 4hi whenever you want.

I rarely use it on pavement unless it's snowy or icy. The roads where i live don't tend to be all that slippery when wet - or I don't drive fast enough to find the limits. If I'm in doubt, I'll just pop it in 4hi. But I have driven from Salt lake to Moab Utah and back towing my camper in 4hi the entire way mid summer in 100* temps and dry roads. No issues at all. (I had an unknown at the time problem with my front ARB grinding its internal spider gears unless it was in 4wd, but I was a trail guide at a club event so I just ran in 4hi.)

That sounds right. Been a while since I tested it. Tires are 118 speed rating so they'd probably match that with the governor.

As long as the condition is poor traction like snow, you can drive any speed you wish. You’re not going to be able to drive fast enough safely to test the limits of the four-wheel-drive.

Dry pavement is a little different. Not needed, turn off 4x4.

I’ve done between 60 and 70 mph many many many times during very spirited driving on gravel roads on the BLMwith my 3rd gen.

I’ve done 80mph a million times in my 05 ram towing sled trailers.

The bottom line is you’re not going to hurt anything. I’ve spent more time in four-wheel-drive the last 30 years than most people have ever even thought about. It’s a tool, use it.

Maybe not apples to apples, but ...

Previous to my ‘18 SR5, I had a 2002 Tacoma TRD with 5-speed manual transmission. I bought the truck new. It was equipped with the optional pushbutton 4WD engagement button switch in the transfer case lever; the lever only shifted between HI and LO ranges. At the time, i lived in California’s eastern Sierra Nevada near Bishop in the small town of Big Pine.

Not long after I purchased the truck, I was in Mammoth Lakes, 60 miles from home. The drive home was on paved highways with gentle and long sweeping curves. Speed limits were 65 mph at the time except driving through Bishop. It was a summer day and pavement was dry.

I drove the hour home enjoying the late afternoon scenery at up to 70 mph. The truck drove normally until I made the right turn in Big Pine to drive up the street to my home. That’s when I noticed the crow hop. Looking down I saw that the 4x4 light was lit (I’m color blind in the red spectrum so didn’t notice it since it was daylight). I shifted back into 2WD with no issues.

So obviously, I at some point while in Mammoth Lakes accidentally knocked or pushed in the 4WD button. After that experience, I took more notice of making sure my 4x4 light wasn’t lit while on dry pavement.

Since the area recieves regular snow in the winter, driving US395 the roads often alternate between wet, dry, snow and ice. During heavy snows, snowplows are constantly working to get down to pavement so I always kept the truck in 4WD HI when there was any ice and snow, even with large gaps of simply wet pavement.

In addition, the truck was always in 4WD HI when off the pavement, even on high speed maintained dirt roads. I always had the habit to shift into 4WD regularly to keep mechanisms limber. In those days in southwestern Nevada, Death Valley and the eastern Sierra I used to do a lot of class 3 and light 4 off roading.









I owned the truck until I bought my 4Runner. Instead of trading in the Tacoma, I gave it to my adult son, who still has it. The truck has over 200k on it and never has experienced any issues with the running train.