4th gen H4 vs 5th gen H4
- Thread starter hikenbike
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OP,
The 5th gen Trail Edition and SR5's (and Pro-4x's) come with part-time 4wd (activated either by a manual lever or an electronic switch). When you engage 4wd in those trims, the front and rear drive shafts rotate at the same rate since there is no center differential on those trims. For this reason, the owner's manual and other factory literature recommend that you don't engage 4wd on dry pavement due to the risk of drivetrain binding. Realistically, you're probably okay to use 4wd on dry pavement (though I don't know why you would want to) so long as you don't start making sharp turns or K-turn maneuvers.
The 5th gen limited has full-time 4wd and comes with a locking center differential which allows the front and rear drive shafts to rotate at different rates as you go around corners and make sharp turns but can be locked for negotiating difficult terrain...basically it's a lot more user friendly for everyday use. I believe the 4th gen V8 had a similar 4wd setup.
Here is a good breakdown on the different 4wd setup's:
4WD Simplified Version 4.0
The 5th gen Trail Edition and SR5's (and Pro-4x's) come with part-time 4wd (activated either by a manual lever or an electronic switch). When you engage 4wd in those trims, the front and rear drive shafts rotate at the same rate since there is no center differential on those trims. For this reason, the owner's manual and other factory literature recommend that you don't engage 4wd on dry pavement due to the risk of drivetrain binding. Realistically, you're probably okay to use 4wd on dry pavement (though I don't know why you would want to) so long as you don't start making sharp turns or K-turn maneuvers.
The 5th gen limited has full-time 4wd and comes with a locking center differential which allows the front and rear drive shafts to rotate at different rates as you go around corners and make sharp turns but can be locked for negotiating difficult terrain...basically it's a lot more user friendly for everyday use. I believe the 4th gen V8 had a similar 4wd setup.
Here is a good breakdown on the different 4wd setup's:
4WD Simplified Version 4.0
Blitzkrieg
New member
You can download PDF versions of all the owners manuals from Toyota here:
Toyota Online Owners Manuals and Warranty
I actually find them handy because I can be lazier with them than the paper manuals and just do a search on what I want vs. using that troublesome Table of Contents LOL.
Toyota Online Owners Manuals and Warranty
I actually find them handy because I can be lazier with them than the paper manuals and just do a search on what I want vs. using that troublesome Table of Contents LOL.
hikenbike
New member
Great. Downloaded it to my iPad. Much better. Thanks.
JB.
New member
A little graphic representation if you like that sort of thing.
