3G vs 4G 4wd

[howieb]

I had a 98 SR5 and it was a monster in the snow. I ran Cooper Discoverer ATR tires. It did not have a switch to lock the diff, just dropped it in 4wd high and away I went. Now I have an 07, just put new Michelin Lt/2 tires. Drove it in the snow, almost got stuck. I was unimpressed. BUT...I forgot to lock the diff which I suspect would have made a big improvement.

My question is this - how does the 4wd in the 3G compare to the 4wd (or is it awd) of the 4G? The same with the 4G diff locked?

Thanks for the help.

 

[07SalsaSportEd]

This is my understanding of the 4th generation 4wd system:

4 HI differential unlocked - same as AWD, VSC will also cut out when wheels spin, thus making it not that great in deep snow, however great for variable road conditions as you can drive it on all the time (even on dry road conditions)

4 HI, differential locked - tradional 4wd like you were used to with your old model, no VSC to cut out power to the engine if the wheels spin

 

[li_runner]

lock the center diff, you were expierencing the ATRAC kicking in constantly. With the center diff locked you & ATRAC off you will feel a different truck.

The ideal still is to have a "real" full-locking rear differential. But that was only available in 09' on the 4th's.

 

[DocMT]

I had a 98 SR5 and it was a monster in the snow. I ran Cooper Discoverer ATR tires. It did not have a switch to lock the diff, just dropped it in 4wd high and away I went. Now I have an 07, just put new Michelin Lt/2 tires. Drove it in the snow, almost got stuck. I was unimpressed. BUT...I forgot to lock the diff which I suspect would have made a big improvement.

My question is this - how does the 4wd in the 3G compare to the 4wd (or is it awd) of the 4G? The same with the 4G diff locked?

Thanks for the help.

It's the tires. I have Discoverer ATR on my 4th gen and it is so much better in snow than the Dunlops that came on it. People don't realize just how good the ATR perform in snow.

I had a 3rd gen before my 4th gen and it had Michelins on it. It did well in snow, but not as good as the ATRs on my 4th gen.

 

[DC Dude]

Supposedly with the 4th gen, it has a wider body so less likely to roll when cornering. Also, the Sport Edition comes with X-REAS which prevents roll even more.

 

[Nuke]

I went from a 2nd gen to a 3rd gen to a 4th gen and still have some angst going into 4WD, mainly becasue I don't like the delay from when you throw the switch until 4WD engages. I could be dead in that time. I liked the immediate engagment with the lever on the 2nd and 3rd gens.

What tires are on now? I don't think there was a single T4R stock tire model that was worth squat in snow. My '08 Sport came with DumbFlop Grand Crap AT20's. If I recall, they were ranked something like 67 out of 70 tires on tirerack.com.

 

[JB.]

The same with the 4G diff locked?

Yes, in both cases a locked center connection.

My question is this - how does the 4wd in the 3G compare to the 4wd (or is it awd) of the 4G?

Your 3rd gen had (4) transfer modes: 2WD, 4WDHi, 4WDLo, Neutral.

4th gens have (5) for V6, (4) for V8 because V8 is full-time 4WD with no 2WD.

Modes are: 2WD, 4WDHi full-time, 4WDHi center locked, 4WDLo full-time, 4WDLo center locked.

The 4WD full-time modes are the result of a center differential which, in this case, is a torque sensing unit called a Torsen. Standard torque split is 40/60 front/rear. Can go to 29/71or 53/47 if traction differences develop between front and back.

Differences in function after that will have to do with the 4th gen traction control systems. Locking the center diff will turn off the power limiting function. The brake traction control will still be operative to control wheel spin. That intervention can be reduced by revving the engine.