4X4 question

[03_4x4Runner]

I was wondering if the transfer case on the sr5 and trail can be shifted from 2 hi to 4 hi on the fly like my old Jeep. I now have 03 V8 full time 4x4 so I never had to fool with this. If you have to stop to go from 2 hi to 4 hi or else have buzzer and warning lights going of every time it would be a real pain. I know you have to stop on all of them to get to lo range but not sure about hi range. I am guessing this can be done on the trail with the transfercase shifter on the counsel but not sure about the sr5.

 

[BlairB]

I was wondering if the transfer case on the sr5 and trail can be shifted from 2 hi to 4 hi on the fly like my old Jeep. I now have 03 V8 full time 4x4 so I never had to fool with this. If you have to stop to go from 2 hi to 4 hi or else have buzzer and warning lights going of every time it would be a real pain. I know you have to stop on all of them to get to lo range but not sure about hi range. I am guessing this can be done on the trail with the transfercase shifter on the counsel but not sure about the sr5.

I am 95% sure that you can do it on the fly.

 

[MrTom]

Looked at a 2010 Sr5(not Trail) last week. Noticed it had a manual 2-4 hi transfer lever. He said one could get either a manual or an electronic but not sure on which models. Also said it was good up to 35mph for shift on the fly. Have not verified any info, just know what was told to me.
Suspect the problems Toyota has had with their electronic transfer mechanism is the reason for the manual system...

 

[p0pe]

I was wondering if the transfer case on the sr5 and trail can be shifted from 2 hi to 4 hi on the fly like my old Jeep. I now have 03 V8 full time 4x4 so I never had to fool with this. If you have to stop to go from 2 hi to 4 hi or else have buzzer and warning lights going of every time it would be a real pain. I know you have to stop on all of them to get to lo range but not sure about hi range. I am guessing this can be done on the trail with the transfercase shifter on the counsel but not sure about the sr5.

Just bought a 2010 SR5 4x4. Pretty sure I read in the manual that you can shift on the fly below 50 mph.

 

[MrTom]

Just bought a 2010 SR5 4x4.

Manual or electronic transfer?

Am interested to see if Toyota has resolved the 2 to 4 Hi transfer problem the 4Th Gen V-6's are experiencing.

Every single person I know that has the V-6 has problems with the transfer. They usually have to stop, maybe reversing to get it engaged.
And every person I know who have Xterras and Frontiers with electronic transfer can shift on the fly(I believe up to 50mph) without any problems at all.

The other side of the story is all Nissan owners are impressed with the Toyota full time 4x4 system. Many times they have had to go to 4Lo and I am still in 4Hi and not locking the center diff!!

 

[GMZ]

Manual or electronic transfer?

Am interested to see if Toyota has resolved the 2 to 4 Hi transfer problem the 4Th Gen V-6's are experiencing.

Every single person I know that has the V-6 has problems with the transfer. They usually have to stop, maybe reversing to get it engaged.
And every person I know who have Xterras and Frontiers with electronic transfer can shift on the fly(I believe up to 50mph) without any problems at all.

The other side of the story is all Nissan owners are impressed with the Toyota full time 4x4 system. Many times they have had to go to 4Lo and I am still in 4Hi and not locking the center diff!!

I had no problems switching up to 55 mph in my 06 V6, but Im rocking the full time now. I would hope that it would be on the fly up to around 50 ish mph. Even my ex wife's Ranger was up to 45-50 IIRC.

 

[Titanpat57]

Just bought a 2010 SR5 4x4. Pretty sure I read in the manual that you can shift on the fly below 50 mph.

That is correcto mundo Bifferooskie!

 

[sandcrawler]

Manual or electronic transfer?

if it's an SR5 it's a manual—transfer case… the 2010 Limited is the only model with the electro-actuated torsen center differential. the SR5 and Trail Editions were downgraded to the simpler (cheaper) VF2A transfer case.

 

[p0pe]

Yep- manual transfer case. This is my first 4wd. I do not plan on off-roading it for a while as this is my wife's vehicle (for now). Is it OK to get the 4wd miles in on dry pavement, as long as I drive in a straight line?

 

[JB.]

Is it OK to get the 4wd miles in on dry pavement, as long as I drive in a straight line?

Yes, and don't panic if you're forced into a mild turn. A typical surface street turn while in motion using about 1/2 to 3/4 steering wheel revs is not a big deal.

 

[Champ306]

2010 4runner manual states that it can go from 2H to 4H on the fly 50mph or below, and come out at any speed back to 2H.

Also says to drive 10 miles a month in 4wheel drive to keep things lubed and happy. Thought that was interesting.

 

[sandcrawler]

yep, same as the 4G (V6 w/multi-mode): drive in 4H 10 miles/month to keep the front diff lubricated.

 

[PredBlue]

2010 4runner manual states that it can go from 2H to 4H on the fly 50mph or below, and come out at any speed back to 2H.

Also says to drive 10 miles a month in 4wheel drive to keep things lubed and happy. Thought that was interesting.

yep, same as the 4G (V6 w/multi-mode): drive in 4H 10 miles/month to keep the front diff lubricated.

Not exactly like the 4th Gen---with the Torsen CenDif V-6 multi-mode of course you could drive in 4wd all day, any road conditions so ten miles/month was nothing. With the 5th Gen part-time 4WD with power split 50/50 , finding that ten miles/month in low traction situations to meet Toyota's recommendation might be difficult.

I know most of us know this, but just in case somebody less familiar is reading this and thinking about a new 4Runner, thought I would throw that reminder out there.

 

[sandcrawler]

good point; my response was vague. my bad.

 

[Champ306]

Manual does not say in Low traction enviro, just drive 10 miles a month.

 

[PredBlue]

Manual does not say in Low traction enviro, just drive 10 miles a month.

Check out the manual were it talks about when and on what surfaces you can engage the vehicle into part-time 4WD. If you're driving a 5th Gen 2010 SR5 or TE in 4WD, your part-time 4WD system is locking the power 50/50 between the front and rear. The driveline may bind on high traction surfaces if you turn the wheels. Although it may be possible to drive for short distances in a straight line on pavement and acknowledging that engaging 4WD is better than not doing it at all in regards to keeping "things lubed and parts moving", no way anybody is going to get ten miles/month without being off road somewhere.

Whether it is REALLY necessary to drive ten miles/month in 4WD, I'll let others debate.

 

[Kmvreter]

if it's an SR5 it's a manual—transfer case… the 2010 Limited is the only model with the electro-actuated torsen center differential. the SR5 and Trail Editions were downgraded to the simpler (cheaper) VF2A transfer case.

Is the SR5/TE stick an actual mechanical lever actuator or is it just another way to engage an electrical switch?

 

[sandcrawler]

Is the SR5/TE stick an actual mechanical lever actuator or is it just another way to engage an electrical switch?

wish i could say for sure; haven't driven one yet—or even seen one up close. someone else will have to chime in…
i have heard conflicting reports: some say lever only activates switch; others that lever vibrates at speed like a mechanical, um, lever.
i'm as curious to know as you are, actually!

 

[p0pe]

Is the SR5/TE stick an actual mechanical lever actuator or is it just another way to engage an electrical switch?

Pretty sure it is an actual mechanical lever, not just a switch. Sometimes it takes a try or two to get it shifted between 2HI and 4HI. If it were an electrical switch I would think it would be easy to move into position, could be wrong though. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Martinjmpr]

Whether it is REALLY necessary to drive ten miles/month in 4WD, I'll let others debate.

I'm going to say "no." My Tacoma was only driven in 4wd when I needed it and never had a problem. Ditto for my current 4runner (3rd gen with conventional T-case.)

Maybe if you lived in SoCal or Florida and didn't drive off road, you might have a situation where you go years without using 4wd, you might have a problem, but here in CO we need 4wd often enough that it's not an issue.