4WD Systems Explained

[limamike]

For those that don't know, and those that already do know, Gear Patrol did a nice article on AWD and 4WD systems the other day. I think the best part of the article is the video they link to about differentials (skip to about 3 minutes to get to the meat).

Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel-Drive: Everything You Need to Know

Best part is that they feature Toyota vehicles and there are a couple of photos of 5th Gen 4Runners. :hug:

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Thanks, reading up now.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Very well written, I love how the Cons for all the 4WD systems is "Inspires drivers to believe they can drive anywhere."

 

[JB.]

It's decent as a broad overview, but anyone using the information to choose only between new 4Runner models might not be served very well.

Examples:

(Referring to torque distribution). A full-time 4WD car with a locked center differential thus behaves in many ways like a Part-Time 4WD vehicle in 4WD.

A rigid center is a rigid center. It suggests there are ways it doesn't behave like a Part-Time system.

PART-TIME 4WD:

PROS
Its simplicity also tends to make it more rugged.

In 4Runners, at least, this is not borne out by experience. No one is blowing out locked center diffs offroad and vast numbers have been put to the test. Also, it seems reasonable to point to the chain as the most vulnerable part of the TC and it exists in both. The elimination of the ADD in the full-time system makes the simplicity claim not quite so cut and dried.

...reduces wear on the drivetrain in normal conditions.

Not false, but mostly academic and misleading. The real world effect of FT4WD is mostly one of simply spreading the drive forces around more. The FT4WD 4th gens have no history of any drive train component wearing early.

 

[crunchcity]

Can't wait for the biased responses skewed to "whatever model/system I have" lol lol.

 

[1engineer]

For those that don't know, and those that already do know, Gear Patrol did a nice article on AWD and 4WD systems the other day. I think the best part of the article is the video they link to about differentials (skip to about 3 minutes to get to the meat).

Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel-Drive: Everything You Need to Know

Best part is that they feature Toyota vehicles and there are a couple of photos of 5th Gen 4Runners. :hug:

Nice find! Should help a lot of people out.

It's decent as a broad overview, but anyone using the information to choose only between new 4Runner models might not be served very well.

Examples:

(Referring to torque distribution). A full-time 4WD car with a locked center differential thus behaves in many ways like a Part-Time 4WD vehicle in 4WD.

A rigid center is a rigid center. It suggests there are ways it doesn't behave like a Part-Time system.

PART-TIME 4WD:

PROS
Its simplicity also tends to make it more rugged.

In 4Runners, at least, this is not borne out by experience. No one is blowing out locked center diffs offroad and vast numbers have been put to the test. Also, it seems reasonable to point to the chain as the most vulnerable part of the TC and it exists in both. The elimination of the ADD in the full-time system makes the simplicity claim not quite so cut and dried.

...reduces wear on the drivetrain in normal conditions.

Not false, but mostly academic and misleading. The real world effect of FT4WD is mostly one of simply spreading the drive forces around more. The FT4WD 4th gens have no history of any drive train component wearing early.

I would link the [MENTION=62008]limamike[/MENTION] post and video to a new guy question on basics, not an old timer or someone looking for specifics. You gotta remember even though most people here understand 4wd they only understand it because someone has explained it or they have pieced it together from several posts or youtube videos. This will help the youngsters.
Very good for new guys.

 

[Semi-Hex]

40 hours of pantless self-portraits on the company photocopier

I want this type of job.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The best explaination is that Toyota cheaped out by not having the center torson diff on all 4runner like the 4th gens. It was the best of both worlds.

 

[crunchcity]

The best explaination is that Toyota cheaped out by not having the center torson diff on all 4runner like the 4th gens. It was the best of both worlds.

They still omitted the "multi-mode" feature that the previous V6 models had from the torsen equipped models, from what I understand the previous V8's didn't have multi-mode though.

 

[1engineer]

The best explaination is that Toyota cheaped out by not having the center torson diff on all 4runner like the 4th gens. It was the best of both worlds.

You really need to knock that chip off your shoulder and move on. They still offer it with the LE and the part time system works just fine too. Do you have that paragraph saved or something so you can just regurgitate it at will?

 

[03_4x4Runner]

You really need to knock that chip off your shoulder and move on. They still offer it with the LE and the part time system works just fine too. Do you have that paragraph saved or something so you can just regurgitate it at will?

I really should move on. I am looking to replace my 03 eventually but can not find anything I like enough to spend the money. One thing I like about my 03 that you cannot do on a new limited is to unlock the center diff in low range. I like it unlocked pulling boats out of steep boat ramps in low range since it does not bind up when turning on pavement also works great off road, seldom need to lock the center dif. Correct me if I am wrong but I think the new limited do not give you this choice, it is always locked in low range. I had part time in my Jeep Wrangler for many years and got tired of that off road having to shift in and out of 4x4 all day. I guess I am spoiled but I have come to like the finer things in life and do not want to go backwards in time.

 

[crunchcity]

I guess I am spoiled but I have come to like the finer things in life and do not want to go backwards in time.

The world is your oyster if you have the scratch, the shifting market is just making you pony up more to get into higher lines, past the Limited model.