2001 multi mode trans

[dirtrider9x]

Can anyone explain in laymans terms how the mutimode tranfer case works. Factory literature says it is true "all wheel drive", providing equal power to all 4 wheels, but can be driven on dry surfaces without causing damage. does this mean all 4 wheels are getting power at the same time? if this is the case, what purpose does the locking center differential serve? I am new to this sight, and to 3rd gen 4runners, but hope to gain much info from this sight.

thanks

 

[Singtoe]

AWD - All wheels are being driven with a differential in the middle. So driven power will go to any wheel with least amount of traction.

4WD - All wheels being driven with no center differential or it has a locked a center differential. So driven power is sent to one front wheel and one rear wheel at the same time.

 

[Diverse4runner]

If you lock the center Differential on hard surfaces it can/will cause damage. While you turn the front and rear tires will be spinning at different speeds which will cause stress on the center differential if it is locked.

 

[4-Ripcord]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rs-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html

 

[dirtrider9x]

so in AWD only one wheel of the four will get power at a time, the one with least resistance. with center diff locked, one front and one rear will get power, correct?

 

[Diverse4runner]

so in AWD only one wheel of the four will get power at a time, the one with least resistance. with center diff locked, one front and one rear will get power, correct?

Correct.

 

[IanB]

so in AWD only one wheel of the four will get power at a time, the one with least resistance. with center diff locked, one front and one rear will get power, correct?

You got it. And to further complicate matters, if you have a rear locker then when locked both rear tires will get the same power, and if you have a front locker the same applies to the front tires.

Another way to look at it:
2wd: one rear tire gets 100% of power
AWD: one tire gets 100% of the power
4x4 (center diff locked): one front and one rear tire get 50% of the power each
4x4 w/ locked rear diff: each rear tire gets 25% of power, one front tire gets 50% power
4x4 w/ locked F&R diffs: each tire gets 25% power

 

[fourwd1]

You got it. And to further complicate matters, if you have a rear locker then when locked both rear tires will get the same power, and if you have a front locker the same applies to the front tires.

Another way to look at it:
2wd: one rear tire gets 100% of power
AWD: one tire gets 100% of the power
4x4 (center diff locked): one front and one rear tire get 50% of the power each
4x4 w/ locked rear diff: each rear tire gets 25% of power, one front tire gets 50% power
4x4 w/ locked F&R diffs: each tire gets 25% power

You forgot 2wd w/locked rear diff.

 

[dirtrider9x]

You got it. And to further complicate matters, if you have a rear locker then when locked both rear tires will get the same power, and if you have a front locker the same applies to the front tires.

Another way to look at it:
2wd: one rear tire gets 100% of power
AWD: one tire gets 100% of the power
4x4 (center diff locked): one front and one rear tire get 50% of the power each
4x4 w/ locked rear diff: each rear tire gets 25% of power, one front tire gets 50% power
4x4 w/ locked F&R diffs: each tire gets 25% power

Great explanation IANB, thanks