4 wheel low with V8?
- Thread starter TeryT
- Start date
Thanks Thai for the insight on Toyota 4wd. I feel a lot better in looking at both engines now. I'm use to GM products (I'm switching to a 05 4runner) where in auto mode, the system must sense wheel slippage prior to shifting power to other wheels. The split second timing required does make a difference, so in poor conditions, it's nice to be able to set the system into full time 4wd. It doesn't sound like this is a problem with 4runners.
Thai
Elite Member
ozana said:
Wow, you dug up an old thread.
4 years since the last response.It is hard to compare 4wd vs. AWD these days because the term is often misused.
For ME (note: i am not an expert in these terminology), AWD system does not have a transfer case. For ME, AWD systems tends to have more bias towards one axle. For example, Honda CRV AWD system sends most of it's torque to the front axle...only when needed (aka slippage), does the system send power to the rear axle. The same goes for Acura MDX's more sophisticated AWD system, except that the system also send power to the rear axle upon acceleration or cornering.
The 4runner's full-time 4wd system has a transfer case for 4-LO capability. In addition, 50% of power is going to front and rear axle most of the time. Only on certain roads or conditions do this 50/50 ratio gets altered (70/30, 30/70, etc.).
Of course, i know that certain AWD systems do send power to both axles, just like full-time 4wd systems. However, in most (if not all) AWD systems, one axle is favored over the other in terms of power distribution. Full-time 4wd systems do not have this "favoritism" in most cases.
This is a cloudy issue, but this is how I make the distinction between the systems.
Does that make sense or am i too confusing in what i wrote?? I am confused myself!
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davefisher
New member
I would agree with Thai in that the one sentence answer is that 4WD contains a 2spd transfer case, where AWD (though it may use similar power distribution) does not.
Uneek
Super Moderator
I agree with both Thai and davefisher. An article I read basically said full time 4WD is the same as AWD, but AWD is not the same as full time 4WD because it doesn't have a low gear. The article goes on and says the second gen Escalade is not a true SUV because it's AWD and not 4WD.
n00b question on an old thread but looking for a pretty specific answer would be great.
Looking at 4th Gen 4runner, 2006-2008 is in my price range.
I understand the Limited and the V8's have full time 4wheel drive at any speed.
I know the V6 Sport and SR5 have a switch for 4WD and you shouldn't ever switch that at speeds over 55mph
But I want to know 2 things...
-Can you make that switch at speed or do I have to stop to switch to 4wd?
-Can this be run on asphalt or does it have to be on dirt?
Basically I want something that is going to keep me going on mountain roads that are ice covered in some area's and asphalt in others without stressing my transfer case with torque buildup at speeds under 55mph
So can you run the SR5 V6 full-time at speeds under 55mph with no potential damage at all?
Thanks!
Looking at 4th Gen 4runner, 2006-2008 is in my price range.
I understand the Limited and the V8's have full time 4wheel drive at any speed.
I know the V6 Sport and SR5 have a switch for 4WD and you shouldn't ever switch that at speeds over 55mph
But I want to know 2 things...
-Can you make that switch at speed or do I have to stop to switch to 4wd?
-Can this be run on asphalt or does it have to be on dirt?
Basically I want something that is going to keep me going on mountain roads that are ice covered in some area's and asphalt in others without stressing my transfer case with torque buildup at speeds under 55mph
So can you run the SR5 V6 full-time at speeds under 55mph with no potential damage at all?
Thanks!
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Sort of... 4lo can be used on any surface, u-turns or whatever provided the center diff is unlocked (just like 4hi). I use 4lo (unlocked)all the time at the boat ramp.
JB.
New member
Uneek
Super Moderator
You can shift from 2H to 4H at any speed under 62mph (100km/h). Once in 4H there are no restrictions to how fast you can go. You can shift from 4H to 2H at any speed.
When the center diff is unlocked, you can run it on any surface. With the center diff locked, then it's like a part-time 4WD system and it'll be better if you're on a low traction surface to allow the wheels to slip during turns.
Not to argue about Jeep vs. 4Runner but I had a bone stock GC and it was a respectable off-road vehicle and went where my 04 4Runner can't go. I'm hesitant to take the 4runner places I took the GC without even flinching. My old 93 4Runner with a locked rear would go anywhere I pointed it and I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere.
In the sand, you won't go very far with ATRAC. It's pretty much useless in sand IMO. On a recent trip I forgot to disengage before entering the sand and ended up stuck like glue until I remembered to turn it off. :nono:
I don't think ATRAC comes even remotely close to an actual locked diff. You can compare it to an LSD I suppose, but even an LSD diff sucks off-road IMO.
For the average, everyday driver/owner it's probably an OK system. I tend to test/push my off-road vehicles a bit more than those people so I expect more.
In the sand, you won't go very far with ATRAC. It's pretty much useless in sand IMO. On a recent trip I forgot to disengage before entering the sand and ended up stuck like glue until I remembered to turn it off. :nono:
I don't think ATRAC comes even remotely close to an actual locked diff. You can compare it to an LSD I suppose, but even an LSD diff sucks off-road IMO.
For the average, everyday driver/owner it's probably an OK system. I tend to test/push my off-road vehicles a bit more than those people so I expect more.
?
Ever since I bought my '03 new, I've spent two weeks each year on the sand at the beach. I air down to 15 psi and have never even come close to getting stuck. I lock the center diff before heading out onto the beach. I've done it in 4WD hi and 4WD low. I don't see the problem:
?
Ever since I bought my '03 new, I've spent two weeks each year on the sand at the beach. I air down to 15 psi and have never even come close to getting stuck. I lock the center diff before heading out onto the beach. I've done it in 4WD hi and 4WD low. I don't see the problem:
Maybe mine is broken? :shrug: lol
Have you ever driven a vehicle with a locked differential? I suppose if I didn't know what traction was I'd think it was ok. :jk:
I'm not talking about wet, compact beach sand though. I'm talking about dry, desert sand (Glamis). I can take my 2WD Tacoma all over the beach sand at 10psi.
Maybe I'm confusing "ATRAC" with the other traction control deal?
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Yes. I drive my 4Runner with a locked center diff each time I drive out on the beach. Can't say as I see the need for a locking front or rear diff on sand, other than to just dig yourself in deeper.
Not everywhere on the beach is wet and compact like the sand seen in that picture. Plenty of it is soft and dry.
Locking the center diff disables the ESP, but it does not disable the traction control on the 4th gen.Maybe I'm confusing "ATRAC" with the other traction control deal?
lol a "locking center differential" is completely different than a "locked front/rear differential" and I can promise you it won't "dig you deeper" or put you in a worse situation than it would if you didn't have it. If that were true, ARB would be out of business and all of the off-road guys would be running open diffs lol. All of this traction control, fake limited slip is garbage compared to an actual locked differential. Get a wheel or two off the ground and you'll figure it out. Semi-flat land or in the mall parking lot it's probably perfectly fine. In my personal experience, it's a VERY limited, beginners off-road system. Different strokes for different folks.
Doozi
New member
When it comes to being on ice or any slippery, off-camber situation, I'd take A-TRAC any day!
I'd hardly call a sophisticated system like A-TRAC "garbage", as you put it, and it can handle quite a bit more than the local mall parking lot. In fact, A-TRAC would run circles around a locked differential in a parking lot... literally! :biggrin2:
Don't get me wrong... ARB air lockers, OX Trax lockers, and even spools definitely have their place (I even loved the e-locker in my '98 Tacoma), but for the vast majority of us 4Runner owners, A-TRAC keeps us smiling!
Now you got me hoping for a snow day!
~Doozi
I'd hardly call a sophisticated system like A-TRAC "garbage", as you put it, and it can handle quite a bit more than the local mall parking lot. In fact, A-TRAC would run circles around a locked differential in a parking lot... literally! :biggrin2:
Don't get me wrong... ARB air lockers, OX Trax lockers, and even spools definitely have their place (I even loved the e-locker in my '98 Tacoma), but for the vast majority of us 4Runner owners, A-TRAC keeps us smiling!
Now you got me hoping for a snow day!
~Doozi
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