About to purchase Trail: Am I making a big mistake?

[garlic4runner]

I have put down some cash to reserve a 2011 4Runner Trail with the KDSS/Nav package and after reading a few threads here I am starting to think I may be making a huge mistake.

Now please understand the last SUV I owned was a Jeep Wrangler and when I wanted to go into 4wd I simply pulled a handle and that was it. I could even engage the 4wd while driving as I recall. I liked having the option for 4wd when I wanted it so I went with the 4R Trail thinking it would be similar. Was this a major miscalculation?

In a nut shell, I would like to know if the 2011 4R Trail has a 4wd option that I could use during uneventful driving conditions if I simply decided I wanted to. If another driver wanted to use 4wd what special instructions do I need to give them so they don't cause damage?

Thanks for your help :hungry:

 

[-JD-]

Not quite sure what you are asking. The trail has a part time 4wd system that is engaged by pulling the lever from 2wd to 4wd. This can be done while moving, but 4wd shouldn't be used on dry cement while turning. The Limited edition has a full-time AWD system that is 'always-on' and doesn't require manual engagement and is used on all road surfaces....

i'm pretty sure the part time system on the trail will be very similar to what is used on the wrangler...

 

[garlic4runner]

okay, so AWD is not 4WD I can see that. I guess this is why you can use it on dry roads.

Is it alright if I drive the Trail in rain with 4wd activated? Or am I harming the vehicle?

 

[-JD-]

^No, i wouldn't recommend it.

 

[garlic4runner]

would you mind explaining why it's safe to drive the Limited with AWD on concrete but it's not safe to drive the the Trail in 4wd on the same?

in return, I offer this :girl:

 

[-JD-]

A part time 4wd drive system basically 'locks' the front wheels and rear wheels to the same speed. When you turn, the front and rear wheels move at different speeds, this causes binding in the drivetrain and is very bad.

A full time system or AWD has a center differential that allows the front and rear wheels to move at different speeds. This allows you to turn without causing binding in the drivetrain.

Since the part time type system works a lot better off road and in some conditions the Limited has the option to 'lock' the center differential, making it work just like a part time system.

 

[garlic4runner]

thank you for that explanation :banana:

so let me ask you this. If I am stuck in snow and the Trail can't get out in 2wd, is it okay if i put her i 4wd to get out of the mess and then put her back into 2wd? It's safe if I use 4wd for a short time and don't turn?

For example, I saw a review where a 4Runner trail was stuck in the snow in 4wd. The driver said something about then locking the differential and that got him moving. what would locking the differential and activating 4wd accomplish?

 

[KCcarguy]

Just curious.....Why did you pick the TE? You don't seem very interested in offroading.

 

[garlic4runner]

1.) i like the look

2.) i don't like the Limited full time 4wd but I guess it's really AWD which means I made a mistake judging it. I felt the Trail would get better fuel economy.

3.) I do not like the chrome on the Limited and I don't care about leather.

4.) I did not want to purchase the entry level SR5 and felt the Trail was a good mix and I liked it's extra bells and whistles.

5.) I guess I was hoping having something off road worthy would inspire me to actually get off road some more and test out the neat features the Trail offers.

6.) I felt that having the ability to go into 4wd could come in handy in some ice and snow situations and I just feel better having it but having it when I want it activated.

7.) I think it's the best SUV under $40k. It's for my father and he said find the best SUV that's mid size

 

[-JD-]

thank you for that explanation :banana:

so let me ask you this. If I am stuck in snow and the Trail can't get out in 2wd, is it okay if i put her i 4wd to get out of the mess and then put her back into 2wd? It's safe if I use 4wd for a short time and don't turn?

For example, I saw a review where a 4Runner trail was stuck in the snow in 4wd. The driver said something about then locking the differential and that got him moving. what would locking the differential and activating 4wd accomplish?

Yes, you can use 4wd as much as you need in the snow or on any loose surface like gravel, sand, etc. Technically its also fine to use 4wd on the road as long as its only in a straight line...

The trail also has a locking REAR differential, which locks the left and right rear wheels together. If you are in a situation where one rear wheel and one front wheel cant get traction then the faster spinning wheel (the one thats slipping) gets all the power. Being able to lock the two rear wheels together causes both to spin at the same speed and can provide more traction when two wheels are slipping. Obviously, for the same reasons i mentioned before, you only want to lock the rear differential on a loose surface and/or when going in a straight line.

 

[garlic4runner]

thank again, JD. I am up to speed now and do not think I am making a mistake. Actually, I now understand that the 4Runner TE and the Wrangler are similar in the part time 4wd way and I was in fact not driving the Wrangler correctly which means I would have been doing the same thing with the new 4 Runner :dammit:

but thats not a problem anymore because now I know that 4wd was never intended to be used as a full time alternative to the vehicles 2wd.

 

[-JD-]

No problem. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[garlic4runner]

oh im picking her up tomorrow if I can haha

 

[tjnaples]

I have a TE w/KDSS, not a mistake.

 

[garlic4runner]

I have a TE w/KDSS, not a mistake.

that's what I was thinking but after I read a thread about the TE and 4wd they made it seem like using the 4wd could break the entire damn vehicle if you even so much as drove across a parking lot

my head is still spinning just thinking about how much damage I did to my Wrangler by driving around in 4wd practically all the time on normal dry roads. Ugh, what a **** up

 

[adio3x]

Just leave it in 2wd, I drove through 18 inches of snow back in December when Missouri had the snowpocalypse, the 4runner handled like a champ.

 

[sandcrawler]

OP: put a decent set of tires on it... occasion to pull the 4WD lever on-road will diminish dramatically.

 

[garlic4runner]

OP: put a decent set of tires on it... occasion to pull the 4WD lever on-road will diminish dramatically.

I take it you don't think highly of the stock TE tires?

 

[PracticalFJ]

Stock tires are FANTASTIC for the highway, they are very quiet and enable the T4R to show impressive MPG.

Off Road, and/or sloppy road conditions...not so much! Especially, after the first 15-20k on them.

Swap out for a decent AT tire if you can.

 

[Jtraskell]

I take it you don't think highly of the stock TE tires?

If you were to bind up the drive train of a part time 4wd vehicle, you would know it. The damage would be very apparent and you would probably be stuck not going anywhere without a tow.

As to tires, just about everyone on this forum, no matter what trim level, has replaced the factory tires. I would guess the LTD guys have replaced theirs the least...due to limited choices of 20inch off road tires etc. Yea, I would search this forum for tire suggestions. Also, take into consideration how your dad is going to drive the rig. Off road? Or just every so often and on semi improved trail or logging roads vs. true trail cutter?