2006 4wd V6 question

[GRIMACE]

OK I have question about the 2006 4wd system. Forgive me for ignorance. I've Searched and the read the FAQs section and I still feel confused about the 4wd system for the V6.

The Canadian Toyota web site says the that the V6 4runner comes with an Automatic Disconnecting Differential and Multimode One Touch 4WD System. The V8 comes with a Centre Differential Lock 2-Speed Transfer Case.

Has this changed since 2005? I thought all 4runners came with Center differential lock.

Any ways, what is the difference between Automatic Disconnecting Differential and the Center Differential? Does this mean that I cannot lock the differential manually on the V6 to get a 50/50 power split in 4HI and that the power split in 4HI is only limited to the 30:70 split to the front and rear.

I know the V8 4wd system is full time allowing for 30/70 split when the center is not locked and when the center is locked the power is split 50/50. BUT I have know idea how the power is split in 4HI since it does not have a center differential like the V8. I guess my question is if can I still lock it manually to get a 50/50 split?

I'm confused.................salesman here can't give the right answer either.

 

[Thai]

BOTH V6 and V8 4wd system have a manually lockable Torsen center differential...allowing you to manually select 50/50 split (for off-roading) or run it open with variable torque rear/front torque transfer (on-road driving). Both have HIGH and LOW range selections.

When you put the V6 4wd system into 4wd (4-HI), you have the same system as the V8. This is a separate function from the manual locking Torsen center diff. So, you can drive in 4-HI on-road in both V8 and V6 4wd system (as long as the center diff remains unlock).

Conclusion: The ONLY difference between the V8 and V6 4wd system is that, in the V6 4wd system, there is a 2wd mode (save fuel).

Hope this helps.

 

[Solice]

Don't worry....just get the V6 if that's what you want. Like Thai said, you'll get the same exact 4wd system as the V8, but with the option to put it into 2wd mode if you feel like it.

That's one of the reasons I chose the V6 over the V8. I like the fact that I can drive around in 2wd or 4wd regardless of the road conditions.

Believe it or not, the 4Runner has a different feel to it when driving in 2wd......when I switch it to 4wd on dry roads, it feels as if the 4Runner is being held back a bit. It's hard to describe, but it's almost like driving with the parking brake clicked on just one notch. In other words, you can feel the additional drag from being in 4wd.

I think the reason it feels a little more sluggish in 4wd is because instead of splitting the power between 2 wheels your now splitting it between 4 wheels.

Same idea as if your comparing an AWD vehicle to a 2wd with the same hp and torque. Both vehicles have the same power to the crank but the AWD will have less power to the wheels (actual hp and torque) due to it transferring the power to 2 extra wheels.

Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[GRIMACE]

It all makes sense now. Its pretty much as I figured. Thanks for setting me straight. I really wanted to make sure that you can lock the differential manually to get the 50:50 power split.

4wd systems are so complicated now. Whatever happened to just having the 4hi and 4 lo. Things were so much easier back then.

 

[GRIMACE]

If you really want easy, just get something with AWD, like the Ford Escape....it doesn't even have a button to control the AWD system. It's a no-brainer! hahaha

I really just want to make sure that the V6 runner is more than just AWD and and that it can be locked in for better traction. My current runner has the rear locker. I've used it more times I can remember to get me out of some hairy situations. The next runner I buy must be able to handle the same stuff my current runner can and then some. Which I'm sure it will.

If I really just needed AWD I would get the Subaru Legacy GT or Lexus IS250AWD which is a totally different ball park.

 

[coldbivy]

Sounds like you may still be a little confused. Neither the V6 or V8 4th Gen 4Runner has a rear locker (at least in the US).

They both have a limited slip, locking center differential, a high and low range. Plus the V6 can disengage the front driveshaft and has locking front hubs.

The third gen 4Runner had an optional rear locker.

 

[Koz]

They both have a limited slip, locking center differential, a high and low range. Plus the V6 can disengage the front driveshaft and has locking front hubs.

The 4th gen 4wd 4Runners do not have limited-slip, they use the traction control to divert torque to the wheel with traction (which actually works better). Only the 2wd 4Runner has a limited-slip.

Koz

 

[GRIMACE]

Sounds like you may still be a little confused. Neither the V6 or V8 4th Gen 4Runner has a rear locker (at least in the US).

They both have a limited slip, locking center differential, a high and low range. Plus the V6 can disengage the front driveshaft and has locking front hubs.

The third gen 4Runner had an optional rear locker.

Thanks again guys, I'm not confused anymore. I got all bent out of shape because the CDN website said that the V6 version doesn't have a center differential, but an automatic differential. I wanted to make to sure that I could still lock it manually. It appears you can. I know that you can't get the locker for the 4th gens. All in all, I just want to make sure that I'm going to have the same traction capabilities, as I do with my current runner for serious offroading.

Its going to be nice though, not to have to switch in and out of 4Hi though, especially with the icy roads we have up in the north. It gets kind annoying.

On a side note, it appears that new FJ series is going to have all these 4WD options plus a rear locker. It should be interesting to see how this all pans out. Imagine an locked center differntial and locked rear end. It would be a tank on wheels. You can go anywhere.