Any workarounds to get full time 4WD in a 5th gen SR5

[gwcpa]

I've never seen the problem with part time 4WD and snow. If the back roads are snow covered, leave it in 4H. When you get to a clear road, put the trans is "N" and slide the lever (or twist the knob) back to 2H. No need to stop. Proceed on your way.

Whats the big dealio? The transfer case is not going to self destruct if you make a left turn at an intersection on a paved road locked in 4H.

With all snow and ice this year in VA, I've parked my T4R LE and been driving my Wrangler LJ. It has Cooper M+S tires and does great in the snow in 2WD. (Much better then the BFG mud terrains I had) The other morning I did toss it in 4H so I could accelerate faster at an intersection on the ice/snow, but once I turned onto the treated roads, I put it back in 2H.

There is so much danged salt on the roads now I've not moved the '13 LE out of the heated garage other than to drive it one night in my neighborhood while it was snowing to see how it did.

 

[Jeremy556]

You don't have to do the neutral thing, just move the lever or turn the knob. Only have to go to neutral to go in and out of 4lo.

 

[rmbertoldi]

Im interested in this too. Looks like the 2014+ 4WD 4Runners have three different Transfer Case Assemblies and two different Front Differentials.

The 2014 Trail and pre-2014 SR5 has a VF2A (manual shift lever) Transfer Case, while the 2014 SR5 has a VF2BM (selector switch controlled part-time 2wd), and the 2010+ Limited has a VF4BM (full time 4wd w/ Torsen).

The front differential on the 2010+ Trail and SR5 has an ADD (actuator) while the 2010+ Limited does not. It might be easier to upgrade an SR5 given its already selector switch activated.

At the very least you would need a VF4BM and a non-ADD Front Diff. But likely also a new 4WD ECU and other electronic parts. Someone correct me here if Im wrong?

I'm super late to the discussion, but just to chime in..my 2013 SR5 does not have a manual shift lever, it's a selector dial. I just had my first experience with "drivetrain binding" last night, I'd never noticed it the other two times i've been in 4x4 because I was on the highway straight away but after exiting the SLOW creeping highway last night in some icy slush and jumping into a (dry) Starbucks drive-thru I noticed that my truck felt like the front wheels were stuck at a quarter+turn of the wheel just as explained by others. I had no idea, at first I thought my new AT tires might be rubbing at factory height! Live and learn, at least it didn't blow up while I was doing 70mph like some comments I've seen, now I know, I'll still take the SR5 over the Limited anyday though!