Any workarounds to get full time 4WD in a 5th gen SR5
- Thread starter tbr
- Start date
I came over to a 4Runner from driving a H3 for six years. It was four wheel drive all the time. Never had to think about it. Gas mileage sucked too for it being a 3.7 liter. But that was a trade off.
I forgot about the center differential thing and thought going to 4H meant, it could stay there indefinitely. I learned going slow in a parking lot puts strain on it when making turns into a parking space, so I shifted out and all is good.
I leave it in 2H all the time except when the streets are cover with snow and I really think I need 4H. It's easy to turn the knob to activate it. Then when I don't need it anymore, I turn it the other way.
Gas mileage is outstanding too, because of the 2WD. I'm maintaining 19.9 even with all the stop and go traffic. That's 5mpg more than my H3 averaged.
I forgot about the center differential thing and thought going to 4H meant, it could stay there indefinitely. I learned going slow in a parking lot puts strain on it when making turns into a parking space, so I shifted out and all is good.
I leave it in 2H all the time except when the streets are cover with snow and I really think I need 4H. It's easy to turn the knob to activate it. Then when I don't need it anymore, I turn it the other way.
Gas mileage is outstanding too, because of the 2WD. I'm maintaining 19.9 even with all the stop and go traffic. That's 5mpg more than my H3 averaged.
[MENTION=76794]tbr[/MENTION], Buy a gently used 2010/2011 Limited. Saves on the price, has less chrome than the 2014; comes with the center diff and has no emissions pump so your wife can run that dual battery setup she's always wanted. :juggle:
If you are lucky, someone already got rid of the 20 inch alloys, but if not, keep those around for summer and buy some SR5 rims here from someone going to non-OEM rims and use those for a set of winter tires. :caked:
All problems solved and otherwise buy the frigging jeep already (although look at the used-prices for that as well and see if you still want to pay those prices with that depreciation).
Details on putting 17 inch rims on a Limited are in my build thread below. and with the narrow streets/parking, your wife will love the rear camera on the Limited that's on the big screen.
:closed_2:
Okki :usa2:
If you are lucky, someone already got rid of the 20 inch alloys, but if not, keep those around for summer and buy some SR5 rims here from someone going to non-OEM rims and use those for a set of winter tires. :caked:
All problems solved and otherwise buy the frigging jeep already (although look at the used-prices for that as well and see if you still want to pay those prices with that depreciation).
Details on putting 17 inch rims on a Limited are in my build thread below. and with the narrow streets/parking, your wife will love the rear camera on the Limited that's on the big screen.
:closed_2:
Okki :usa2:
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KidVermicious
New member
I certainly don't remember them. I don't remember them every time I go wheeling, and then I have to stop halfway up the first obstacle and get out and lock the hubs in and then climb back in and ... hey, what do you mean "old" anyway?
Thanks Okki, this is a pretty smart take on it. Good call to keep the 20's for summer, though I may just sell them if 17s are working well. Still hate to have to pay extra for the Limited, but that's what it is.
Tbr, curious to see what conclusion you have come to yet. I'm in the same boat and have been looking at a JGC trailkawk.
Jeep advantages:
I can get the jeep in V8 and with greater towing capability (important to me).
Jeep disadvantages:
Well known documented reliability issues.
Can't run 2wd only in 4wd models
Did I mention they break all the time
Resale value is crap making leasing the only option
4runner TE advantages
2wd mode with 4wd
Ultra reliability
Excellent resale means I would buy it instead of lease
Body on frame
4runner TE disadvantages
V6 only which is blah
5000 towing capacity (I do haul some farm equipment with a car hauler that approaches 7000 lbs which includes the weight of the trailer)
Part time 4wd is a bummer
ETA: the rumor of the 4runner pro could address some of my issues but I doubt it will.
Jeep advantages:
I can get the jeep in V8 and with greater towing capability (important to me).
Jeep disadvantages:
Well known documented reliability issues.
Can't run 2wd only in 4wd models
Did I mention they break all the time
Resale value is crap making leasing the only option
4runner TE advantages
2wd mode with 4wd
Ultra reliability
Excellent resale means I would buy it instead of lease
Body on frame
4runner TE disadvantages
V6 only which is blah
5000 towing capacity (I do haul some farm equipment with a car hauler that approaches 7000 lbs which includes the weight of the trailer)
Part time 4wd is a bummer
ETA: the rumor of the 4runner pro could address some of my issues but I doubt it will.
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I know how exhasting it can be pulling that lever back and forth...
it's almost as much work as changing the volume on the steering wheels controls, and not having to reaching waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy over to the stereo to turn it up...
you know you're getting old when nobody remembers 'lockout hubs"....and what a pleasure they were to deal with..
Lockout hubs were never a pain for my dad....
.... he had 3 sons to go lock and unlock the hubs for him. :roll:
Titanpat57
Senior Member
now you're REALLY, REALLY going back in time...
kids were allowed to actually have fun, possibly hurt themselves learning and doing it...and didn't need some vag nanny state dictating policy and procedure...and some know nothing, PC ahole pointing it out...
:fear:
now....back to your regularly scheduled programming...:lookout:
STX4Runner
New member
My last vehicle had manual hubs (Warns that I installed after the factory autos broke) and I never minded using them. I actually wouldn't mind if my Trail had manual hubs. Wouldn't have to worry about the automatic differential disconnect breaking down the road. Anyone know how reliable those things are long term?
eddiebx
New member
I think the key here is to exercise them regularly to keep the gears free and moving; same goes for the rear locker. No idea how reliable they are though, so I know I'm not answering your question, lol. BUT I think the 4th gens and maybe even older had them, and you don't exactly see them breaking left and right on these forums; so it's probably not toooo unreliable? :noidea:
STX4Runner
New member
Yeah, I think Toyota has used the ADD system for a while. So it's probably pretty good.
KidVermicious
New member
I'm with you, I prefer the manual hub lockouts. Not that the ADD system is necessarily UNreliable, but it's certainly less reliable than a solid mechanical connection.
I can't speak to what you'd find to install on the 4th gen, but the Warn hubs available for the 1st/2nd gen trucks are known to be inferior to the stock Aisin hubs. Warn/Milemarker/Superwinch hubs will all eventually bust on a rig that is regularly wheeled, where the OEM Aisin/Asco hubs will last forever.
If there were a way to retrofit OEM hubs from a Taco or earlier 4Runner, I'd do that before putting Warn hubs on.
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Whiplash Willy
New member
It is pretty good but I have heard of some people who had problems with their actuators. Here is a really good thread on the FJ Cruiser forum that goes into detail of the ADD system, how it works, a quick fix for a common problem.
Front Differential Actuator Repair / Replacement - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
Whiplash Willy
New member
I know how exhasting it can be pulling that lever back and forth...
it's almost as much work as changing the volume on the steering wheels controls, and not having to reaching waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy over to the stereo to turn it up...
you know you're getting old when nobody remembers 'lockout hubs"....and what a pleasure they were to deal with..
I loved the manual hubs in my 93 pickup! I can never understand why people made a big deal about them. If the weather may be bad that day, or you are going off roading, and you don't what to get out of your car to switch between 2 and 4wd, just keep them locked. Keep them unlocked for everything else. Plus, it was kind of fun putting it in 4low with the hubs unlocked
Also, after 163k miles without any service, they still worked flawlessly!
1engineer
Moderator
I loved the manual hubs in my 93 pickup! I can never understand why people made a big deal about them. If the weather may be bad that day, or you are going off roading, and you don't what to get out of your car to switch between 2 and 4wd, just keep them locked. Keep them unlocked for everything else. Plus, it was kind of fun putting it in 4low with the hubs unlocked
Also, after 163k miles without any service, they still worked flawlessly!
So, you drove that truck for 163K miles and never, ever had issues? Questions:
1. How cold does it get there
2. How many times did you use 4WD?
eddiebx
New member
It was probably opti-coated...explains the trouble-free service life.
KidVermicious
New member
I'm with Greg, you never greased your hubs? Didn't ever have to do wheel bearings or replace a CV?
Whiplash Willy
New member
Ok guys...you got me!
Probley the coldest it gets here is in the mid 20's during the extreme winters, and we had a week long snow storm where I never bothered unlocking the hubs. Honestly, I can't remember how often I used 4WD during my ownership, but ballpark maybe 50.
When I owned the pickup, I had yet to be enlightened by the Opti-Coat Gods, however I am sure my hub's paint would have looked a little better, and there wouldn't have been a spec of rust anywhere! Despite it being opti-coat free, it still looked pretty good!
93 Toyota Pickup Photos by amccaulx | Photobucket
I wasn't the original owner, so the PO could have greased the hubs, or had wheel bearing or CV issues, but I don't think they did from what I saw. I don't think they would have greased the hubs and neglected the more common services that they did. The only problem I had on that pickup was a blown HG on the 22re.
