I'm new to this board and am looking to buy a used 4Runner and found a good deal on an 04' 2wd with the automatic LSD which I believe is the same as traction control using the brakes to control wheel spin. I really wanted a 4wd but since I will be driving on pavement 95% of the time it may not matter. I do go to the mountains and get in muddy off road conditions and ecounter some wet snow & ice occasionally- so my question: does the LSD make a significant difference over a open rear end w/o the LSD? Have there been any direct comparisons or actual testing of the effectiveness of the LSD on the 4th generation models? Thanks for any help.
4th generation 2wd LSD effectiveness
- Thread starter Dsquared
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SkylineGTRracer
New member
The 2wd system incorporates an open diff but uses the rear brakes to kind of mimic an LSD. Honestly I don't like it. When I used to go off roading and mudding it didn't seem to hinder me alot but I had to compensate with more momentum. On the race track I have to work really hard harnessing it. If you plan on getting a 2wd invest in a LSD or a locker like an ARB and good tires. However even if you plan on doing 5% off road driving you may be happier with a 4wd for that 5%.
MICA4R
New member
You will offroad, you will get stuck and you will realize that the extra $500-700 you could have spent would have been well worth it.
Also, with the Front diff disengaged (if you get a V6 and keep it in 2WD) you essentially only lose on the inertia from the front axles working against you for efficiency.
A 4runner without 4WD is like a Ferrari with only 1 gear: critically hindered.
That being said when I off road in the 2nd gen I am always in 2WD (90%) until I get stuck which is very infrequently.
The 4th gen isn't as nimble in 2WD offroad and finds itself spinning away rather frequently in which case I always offroad in 4WD.
