2006 4R and 4x4

[madeinhb]

Ya I'm in Denver and plan on keeping it for days when it snows.

 

[madeinhb]

When it's in 4hi and center diff unlocked, is there any limit on speed?

 

[bvc]

When it's in 4hi and center diff unlocked, is there any limit on speed?

I was wondering this too. Also speed at which it can be locked or unlocked?

 

[madeinhb]

To lock or unlock its under 50. I usually change it at about 25-30 mph

 

[rebelbowtie]

When it's in 4hi and center diff unlocked, is there any limit on speed?

The speed limit of the road you're driving on is the speed limit of 4hi

 

[madeinhb]

Haha I'm originally from California. We don't know what speed limits are lol

 

[Jeff S.]

When it's in 4hi and center diff unlocked, is there any limit on speed?

I won't flip the switch from 2H to 4H unless I'm traveling in a straight line under 45 MPH or so, but one it's in 4hi, there is no mechanical speed limit, other than what the engine can provide. You can go as fast as you like (or the speed limit as another poster mentioned) without doing any harm.

There will be a lot of people who tell you that when a truck/SUV is engaged in four-wheel-drive that it cannot be driven fast, nor make sharp turns. This is NOT true with our trucks; we have three differentials and it's absolutely safe to ALWAYS be in 4hi under ANY condition. The V8 4Runner is always in 4hi.


This is excellent for traveling to work where you might be on some bigger, clear roads in which the speed of traffic is 65 MPH, but then you turn off onto smaller, more snow covered roads.

Every morning I drive down my huge, ice covered driveway, turn onto a snow/ice covered dirt road, and then make a 90 degree turn onto a bigger road where the traffic is going 50MPH+

That is exactly the situation where our 4X4 system excels. We can be in 2WD, AWD, and traditional 4X4. Our systems rocks!

 

[dadigab]

Being new to 4x4s you should research driving 4x there are several threads here and more on the net. Before you find yourself stuck scratching your head. Have fun exploring your capabilities but understanding your limits. Simple things like 4lo does not give you more traction just more torque which could help in some situations and hurt you in others. Its just good info to know.

 

[Synister]

My owners manual states that 4HI should not be engaged above 62mph, small distinction but one worth noting. There is no speed restriction on disengaging from 4HI. Also worth noting is nothing you do on the right (with the knob) will affect the trucks drivability on the street, to include 4LO. Only when selecting the locked switch on the left do you now limit the truck to off road or low traction situations only. The rule of thumb I use for locking up the center diff is stuck, mud, sand, or rocky climbs. This goes for 4LO as well. Your run of the mill slippery wet or icy roads will be much better served using the standard 4HI unlocked modes and in some situations, if you can, turn off the traction control.

 

[keepitclassy15]

I'm sorry, but that's not correct at all.

madeinhb,

Your 2006 Toyota 4runner has a center (torsen) differential and can be kept in 4X4 year round. You can leave in 4hi with no ill effects, and, further, can drive it at any speed and make full turns without scrubbing the tires.

This is the great beauty of our drive system. Our four wheel drive system allows the inside tires to spin at a different speed compared to the outside tires during a turn. (You can make a very slow, sharp turn whilst engaged in 4hi without experiencing driveline binding).

To ease your worry, let's compare the fourth gens (4Runners made from 2003-2009) with V6's vs V8's:

They are essentially the same exact system, except the V8 is full time four wheel drive (always in 4hi), whereas the V6 has the option of being rear-wheel drive (when the V6 is in two-wheel drive mode, the front drive shaft is not engaged, but it is still spinning, hence why we V6 drivers only experience a very slight drop in MPG when we place our trucks in 4hi).

When the V6 is in 4hi, it is operating exactly like a V8. To repeat, no harm can come from leaving it in 4hi. I, for example, will leave my V6 in 4hi for the duration of winter. The V6 in 4hi and the V8 in standard driving mode are similar to an AWD system like Audi's.

Now, if you lock the center differential, or place the selector in 4lo, then you must be careful. In either of those cases, the truck will act like a more traditional 4X4 system, and you must be driving on a slippery surface.

I have the v8, this is a silly question, but how do I know if the center differential is on or off? On H4 and L4.

 

[bvc]

I have the v8, this is a silly question, but how do I know if the center differential is on or off? On H4 and L4.

Button to the left of the steering wheel. It has 4 tires and an x in the middle. That locks the diff. It will also show up on the dash via yellow light like the switch and VSC off.

Should be able to feel when its locked if your on pavement. Your axles will be spinning at different speeds causing binding.