center differential?

[tailduster]

on a 99 4runner limited 4x4 what does the center differential do?
thanks

 

[pat161]

Locks the front and rear axles together so that your 4wd acts like a traditonal system. Center diff unlocked, 4wd can be used in any condition, even dry pavement, as the center diff will allow your front and rear axles to spin at different rates, so when you go around a corner and your inside front tire needs to spin slower than your outside rear tire you don't bind up.

 

[tailduster]

which position do I need to put the shifter in to keep the axles unlocked. Say for driving on a hard surface with light ice or snow? thanks

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You should have a sticker somewhere on your interior that explains the 4wd useage. with anything on paved roads and snow and ice and rain the "AWD" mode (center unlocked) is the only one you'll need.

I'm not sure which is which on the limited's since my mom has one but it's been a few years since I've driven it in the winter.

 

[Ill4Runner]

I have an '02 LTD. So when I don't have the 4WD button pushed in, am I in AWD or 2WD? I know when I press the button I get the flashing green chassis on the instrument panel. I only hit the button if I know I'm in for some fun.

 

[pat161]

In your 02 if you have not pushed the 4wd button then you are in 2wd. Unlike 4th gen V8's you can be in 2wd if you want, so your truck is not technically full time 4wd, it just has that ability. For driving on the road in snow, slush or any other condition that limits traction, simply push the 4wd button on the shifter. You should see all the green wheels on your 4wd indicator lit up, if you need more traction or power you can stop, put it in neutral and switch to 4lo, at this point you still have not locked the center diff and are still safe on pavement. If you are venturing off road, or you get stuck in a snow bank, reach up to the dash, to the left of the steering wheel and push the center diff lock button, you should now see the orange center diff lit up on your 4wd display. Now the center diff is locked and you should not be on dry pavement, you can also shift between hi and lo at this time. With the center diff locked you also have turned off VSC, or vehicle skid control, but TRAC will still work. VSC, per toyota, is what can shut off your throttle, so if you really need to rev the truck to get unstuck VSC would work against you.

 

[Ill4Runner]

Thank you for putting that so well. I even asked my service rep. at the Toyota dealership this question and he couldn't give me an answer.