Adding fulltime 4wd to Trail

[rocklighting]

As a hypothetical, would it be possible to add a full-time transfer case such as one on the Limited, to a Trail model? It's one of the only things keeping me from pulling the trigger. I love the trail and wouldn't be willing to upgrade to the Limited just for that. I wouldn't mind spending the extra $$ on upping the Trail. What would be involved with this? And would it change any of the other driving gadgets, such as Abs, traction control, etc? I'm assuming since the Trail and Limited share the same drive train, and computer system it wouldnt be too difficult to accomplish. Thanks guys.

 

[Quentin]

As a hypothetical, would it be possible to add a full-time transfer case such as one on the Limited, to a Trail model? It's one of the only things keeping me from pulling the trigger. I love the trail and wouldn't be willing to upgrade to the Limited just for that. I wouldn't mind spending the extra $$ on upping the Trail. What would be involved with this? And would it change any of the other driving gadgets, such as Abs, traction control, etc? I'm assuming since the Trail and Limited share the same drive train, and computer system it wouldnt be too difficult to accomplish. Thanks guys.

I'm sure it is possible. I'm going to guess that you'll need the new transfer case (can't remember the designation for the FT4WD TC, I don't think you can just add the center diff to the current PT case), center console bezel, 4WD mode switch, ECU (I'm assuming it is different between the FT4WD and PT4WD), and to do something about the auto-actuating differential engagement on the front diff. Going into 4WD on the SR5/TE sends a signal to a solenoid that engages and disengages the front diff, so I'm not totally sure what you'll have to do to make sure the front diff stays engaged. It appears to be a completely different diff carrier. Going with a 4th gen multimode transfer case and 4WD ecu might be just as easy as going to FT4WD considering all the ECU pinouts you will have to chase. I dunno. Things look pretty different on the TIS between the PT4WD and FT4WD.

 

[Antman]

Honestly, it would be alot easier buying a Limited and swapping the body panels for Trail pieces like Harper7 did.

 

[FERAL 4R]

Honestly, it would be alot easier buying a Limited and swapping the body panels for Trail pieces like Harper7 did.

Agreed.

 

[ClockWork]

Honestly, it would be alot easier buying a Limited and swapping the body panels for Trail pieces like Harper7 did.

This or $$$$$$$

 

[Quentin]

Adding the TE body parts gets you the look but not KDSS and the different crawl control modes. A locking rear diff is easy enough to add to a Limited.

 

[1engineer]

And don't forget the wiring harness. If I really wanted to make mine unique, I would just do the Harper build also. Looks of trail, interior and full time 4WD also. Just waiting for when they offer one in Green.

 

[NikonShooter]

What about picking up a 09 TE? Center and rear lockers with multimode 4WD?

 

[1engineer]

What about picking up a 09 TE? Center and rear lockers with multimode 4WD?

Personally, a lot of people, including me, do not fit comfortably in a 4G. Too tight in the headroom department.

 

[KCcarguy]

Adding the TE body parts gets you the look but not KDSS and the different crawl control modes. A locking rear diff is easy enough to add to a Limited.

It seems most guys feel crawl control and MTSC are over-rated. KDSS seems legit though....assuming he gets a TE w/ KDSS (about the same $ as a limited and harder to find), I think he'd spend less money going the Harper7 route.

 

[Intruder]

It seems most guys feel crawl control and MTSC are over-rated.

Depends I guess. A couple months ago I was on a trail run with a steep downhill over loose rock. About halfway down the hill there was a bit of a wall with rocks sticking out of it. The trail would also push you towards that wall, resulting in some body damage if you weren't careful. I flipped on the crawl control in that section to concentrate entirely on steering away from the wall. The other bonus was since I never touched the brakes I didn't slide on the loose rocks at any point.

The MTSC is a little less useful, but Friday night we drove up a mountain in rain and later snow. I set the MTSC to mud setting and noticed I got less wheel spin with it on than with it off. The locker, ATRAC, and KDSS are still the most valuable features to me, though.

I guess the usefulness of this stuff is all dependant on how often you wheel and how hard.

 

[harper7]

As a hypothetical, would it be possible to add a full-time transfer case such as one on the Limited, to a Trail model? It's one of the only things keeping me from pulling the trigger. I love the trail and wouldn't be willing to upgrade to the Limited just for that. I wouldn't mind spending the extra $$ on upping the Trail. What would be involved with this? And would it change any of the other driving gadgets, such as Abs, traction control, etc? I'm assuming since the Trail and Limited share the same drive train, and computer system it wouldnt be too difficult to accomplish. Thanks guys.

As stated , it's the difference in wiring harnesses and ECU's is where you would run into some major headaches.
They don't have the same computer systems.

It seems most guys feel crawl control and MTSC are over-rated. KDSS seems legit though....assuming he gets a TE w/ KDSS (about the same $ as a limited and harder to find), I think he'd spend less money going the Harper7 route.

The Limited/SR5's 4x4's have crawl control and it's called DAC.Only can be used in 4L and there is a switch on the overhead panel and just has one speed. Where the Trail Editions have 5 selectable speeds available for crawl control.

I've used it once or twice but if your in 4L in first gear going down a steep hill but you are all ready in a super low gear in 4L 1st gear and the gearing is holding you back. I guess it would be handy if you were going down a super long steep hill and your leg is tired.

What's wrong in this video? lol
Things that make you say"huh"!!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6yxCjP8pYo4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Trail Editions crawl control
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k6LikJxqHak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[1000MPH]

I feel like I've experienced more sliding using CC on steep loose stuff than I have w/o it. It's pretty much just as hurky jerky as it is on the flats. The first speed setting has been almost unusable, maybe it's for complete vertical?

 

[4Takbo]

What's wrong in this video? lol
Things that make you say"huh"!!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6yxCjP8pYo4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

There is something wrong in that video Harper coz at the foot of the hill it turns out that it is a TE indeed :lookout: peace

 

[Ryan_S]

What's wrong in this video? lol

That 4R turns Canadian for a while there! :wtf:

 

[Intruder]

I feel like I've experienced more sliding using CC on steep loose stuff than I have w/o it. It's pretty much just as hurky jerky as it is on the flats. The first speed setting has been almost unusable, maybe it's for complete vertical?

I've only really used it in steep uphill and downhill situations that were sketchy. I'd never use it for obstacles that require any finesse or left foot braking. Like any technology I've found the best thing to do is just play with it in different situations and try the different speed settings.

Here's a non-Toyota video of it in use. Crawl gets turned on about a minute in. Could I have climbed that without it? Sure. Would it have involved more wheel spin? Based on watching the other people climb it in FJs and Tacos I'd say yes. The neatest part is there are a couple of times you can see it stop entirely while the ECU thinks about adjustments, then it starts again.

Videos of Canada Toyota 4WD Association (CT4WD.com) | Facebook

 

[453030]

I've only really used it in steep uphill and downhill situations that were sketchy. I'd never use it for obstacles that require any finesse or left foot braking. Like any technology I've found the best thing to do is just play with it in different situations and try the different speed settings.

Here's a non-Toyota video of it in use. Crawl gets turned on about a minute in. Could I have climbed that without it? Sure. Would it have involved more wheel spin? Based on watching the other people climb it in FJs and Tacos I'd say yes. The neatest part is there are a couple of times you can see it stop entirely while the ECU thinks about adjustments, then it starts again.

Videos of Canada Toyota 4WD Association (CT4WD.com) | Facebook

Excellent example of CC. The electronics can get cumbersome, but fortunately they can all be switched off. Still, for all the guys who say it is all gimmicky, I would like to see them climb that muddy incline with so little slippage. I imagine just using ATRAC with a light throttle would also work well.