Another crashed 4Runner

[RaginTxn84]

Glad you're ok - didn't see, but was it just you in the 4R? For wintery snow and ice, I recommended a limited to my brother who's going to be in the mountain west for school - just one more "comfort" knowing you always have the 4WD going. Had an outback in college and when the wife and I traded it in, we instantly noticed that we felt not as connected to the road. She wants an outback or 4R when we don't need the van for the kids anymore.

Also, as mentioned previously - if your off roading is just winter weather - look for used GXs if that's even an interest - same truck, more creature comforts - plus a lifted GX with some M/Ts would be awesome :-D

 

[JayceeP]

You are not good to go, you have to park and do hard turns like in and out of my garage etc. in snow and ice. The issue has come up daily in snowy conditions. I dont like it and my wife is appalled every time it happens. I should stop beating this dead horse and just shut up and upgrade in a couple. Needless to say this wont be a long term vehicle in our fleet. It isn't life shattering.

I guess my confusion just stemmed from the fact that a full-time LE won't really perform any differently or get your superior results vs. your SR5 with 4wd engaged... assuming icy/slippery conditons. Obviously you won't engage 4wd on dry pavement, but if that was the case, you wouldn't need 4wd anyway.

 

[RaginTxn84]

I guess my confusion just stemmed from the fact that a full-time LE won't really perform any differently or get your superior results vs. your SR5 with 4wd engaged... assuming icy/slippery conditons. Obviously you won't engage 4wd on dry pavement, but if that was the case, you wouldn't need 4wd anyway.

You should have better turn in with the LE because of the center did, where the SR5 doesn't have one. Not often I go to lock in 4x4, but I've noticed the same on my 4R - I just have to make a couple more turns.

Kenny - as for the salesman being the expert - I would be careful with that assumption. There are very few car salesman that I have ever dealt with that didn't just spit off the highlights of the brochure in their lobby, or the corporate coaching (flavor of the day sales pitch) that they receive (even when they drive the vehicle - lots of people out there drive a vehicle because it looks cool and the dealer had it in their favorite color). Unless they're an enthusiast, you're better off doing your own research on a forum such as this one before making the big purchase.

One of my favorite things to do when buying a car is messing with the guy to see if he really knows what he's talking about :-D

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Its by no means the salesman's total fault. But he's the expert in helping us understand the vehicles and we were going back and forth on the Limited and the SR5 discussing the differences. He never pointed this one out or I would have bought the limited, even more commission for him. ........

Denver native here and have run part time 4WD vehicles for about 25 years.

You are talking about the front wheels binding if you are in 4WD and doing things like tight turns on dry or semi dry road surfaces.

The simple solution is to not engage 4WD if you don't need it.

Is this your first part time 4WD vehicle? This is pretty standard knowledge.

(And no, I would NOT buy a full time 4WD vehicle because here in Colorado it's a waste of mechanical energy 90% of the time IMO).

 

[4FL]

Dang! Great that you are ok, the 4r did its job.

It was stories like this that was a main factor in me getting a 4r, thanks for sharing.

 

[Kennyr44]

Weve had several AWD vehicles, obviously no problem. Our Mitsubishi Montero (may it rest in peace) was rear drive. It had a lever switch to go to what they called AWD and then no steering binding. Also it had 4L and maybe 4h i dont remember. We never used anything other than switching into AWD. So I havent experienced anything binding on turns since the old days, Scouts etc. So you say use it when you need it only. If its icy and your parallel parking or you driveway involves a hard turn into the garage you need it those times. We love the snow and go out riding in it every chance we get. Its a great car Im thrilled with it and need nothing of the Limited other than the AWD. My wife likes the nose on the Limited and hates the nose on ours. I could care less either nose. Im sure we can get through a couple more winters and move up to AWD. So her and her sisters trip to the Keys in the runner got derailed. They made it to New Orleans and got a horrible phone call. Our nephew blew his head off back in Dover De. where their from so they headed there.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

If its icy and your parallel parking or you driveway involves a hard turn into the garage you need it those times.

What you need to understand is that the part time 4WD on the 4Runner (Part time 4WD on any vehicle for that matter) the front wheels will turn at the same speed when engaged.

That's a problem when you are in 4WD on dry or semi dry surfaces and going lock to lock with the steering. The harder you are turning the more you will notice it.

You will not notice it on ice or snow because the inside wheel will (and can) spin a bit opposite the outside wheel.

It sounds to me like you are a candidate (as you have said) for a true AWD drivetrain, not a part time 4WD system.

Not a knock on you but part time 4WD systems take some knowledge to master and they are not really designed for urban (Subaru) type chores. But once you master them, you have to try real hard to get stuck in them.

I can't speak to your Montero - never drove one and know nothing about them but if it is AWD vs 4WD there is a distinct difference in the center differential.

 

[TBrock]

Glad you're okay!! This is why I want to get a dash board camera to record everything. People are so careless at times and will attempt to lie at others expense.

I love the limited features but not a fan of all that chrome. If you're having trouble finding a limited get a SR5 or Trail but in the premium edition. Still comes with leather seats, sun roof, puddle lights, heated seats, etc.

Good luck with everything and glad you're hear to talk about this!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Just a random question, why would you have been screwed if you had to get a rental? Is his insurance company not covering a rental? I guess if it was totaled, then that would complicate things, and your window to buy a new vehicle would be wide open. However some amount of time in a rental seems like it should be provided. After I was hit by new driver, her insurance paid almost as much on my rental as they did on the actual vehicle repair (if you consider a Chevy Equinox a "comparable vehicle, and worth paying $150 a day for lol). Just wondering because I have never considered what would be covered in a totaled situation. Glad you were ok! Sometimes it pays to be in a massive BOF SUV

 

[sr5owner?]

Most important you are ok.

Second most important thing is I hope that corrections officer finds a knife and falls on it a dozen times.

Can't stand entitled m'fers like that!

 

[bigbillyt]

Most important thing is you were able to walk away from this without serious trauma. Glad to hear you were not badly hurt. I hope everything works out for you finding the right T4R that has everything set up the way you want it.