Centre Diff on 5th Gen?

[03_4x4Runner]

The low range gearing on the Limited is the same as the others. As far as the atrac, I have no way to compare it to the others but my Limited atrac works great. It will take you up rutted, uneven hills with a tire or two in the air with no problem. It is very noisy though.

 

[1engineer]

My first post, so not allowed to start a thread. And I tried to hunt down something in your other posts w/o success.

Thinking of buying a new 4Runner and have a center diff question that was not clarified in this thread or anywhere else I could find (even in Toyota's "2016 4Runner Product Information").

Just as I know the transfer case on 4x4 non-Limited ratio is 1.0/2.566, what is it (or are they) for the center diff on the Limited. In L4L if it is not comparable that of the non-Limited with 4x4 engaged, wouldn't the Limited be far less capable off-road? The Torque Split data does not include anything regarding differences between H4L and L4L. If the answer has to do something with A-Trac, I still don't think I understand what is going on without a gear ratio change for greater "overall" torque when crawling.

I understand that all models of 4Runners have the same low range ratios regardless. With that said, don't get hung up on numbers equaling off road capability. Torque is a funny thing off road. If you have enough torque to spin a tire then any more torque over that value is wasted.

A couple of posts in this thread have me a bit confused. One, stating that the a-trac programming in the limited is "less aggressive" than that of the trail. Another claimed that the t case of the limited was geared differently from the trail and sr5. I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any supporting information. The official Toyota product info says nothing of the difference in a-trac, and simply stated the t case ratio for the sr5 and trail, and nothing for the limited.

Can anyone chime in with some facts?

The TE difference in ATRAC is the terrain management selection controls will automatically change the ATRAC values depending on the user imput. The SR5 and LE do not have user selectable terrain management so it has a default. Aggressive is just a word. As long as it gets you up the hill it is good lol.

 

[wfo9]

They are all the same.... The only difference on the limited is the full time 4wd with the torsion... When the center is locked it is the same crawl ratio....

The trail has more atrac oriented useless gizmos + the rear locker.

The only real capability difference out of the box is the rear locker on the trail, and higher clearance plastics on the trail and sr5.

The stock crawl ratio is OK out of the box with stock tire sizes, but it would be great if there was a way to get to 4:1....

You don't need a lower crawl ratio for more tq exactly... it is for control. It does not matter what size engine you have or how much tq it makes.. rock crawling/technical terrain needs low gearing to have good control. And just to be clear, the TE crawl control on the trail edition is no substitute for proper gearing...

There is really no way to easily change the transfer case gearing at this time, but there may be stuff in the works. There are lefty gear driven cases with 4:1.. . with adapters for the trans available, but if you try to put one on.. it is my understanding it will not fit with the stock gas tank.... I've heard there are other products that might be coming soon, but I doubt any of those would work on the limited... since it has no way to disconnect up front and they would strictly be locked or unlocked t-cases...

 

[Coyotearms]

I am impressed! This is awesome forum! I tried hard not to post a silly question, and in response it appears I got the word from on high---thanks to all 3 of you! Given the consensus on the overall gear ratio being the same for the LE, I confident of the answer, but where does one go to find such data if the "2016 4Runner Product Information" doesn't have it. Do you guys have factory manuals or something?

 

[Engineer]

Op, beware WFO9'S opinion, he has an sr5 and is hardcore jealous of the trail premiums with KDSS especially. Almost every post involves trail bashing or KDSS bashing to justify his sr5 purchase. Someone needs to call it, it's getting old.

^ Where is this coming from?

*His above post is spot on and is one of the more helpful members on the forum.

*He has a much more capable 4runer then 99% of the members here and uses it as such (I am certain he isn't jealous)

*No one cares what type of 4runner you bought they are all essentially the same. Certainly one starting point may have made more financial sense then another based on ones chosen mods.

 

[Dalko43]

Full time 4wd has a center differential, awd has a center differential with a clutch system that allows slippage and selective computer determined use for individual wheels

I'm not following you here. So the 4runner limited has 4WD w/ a center diff, but a subaru has AWD since it has a center diff and computer-controlled wheel slippage mitigation? Don't all 4runners also have a computer which detects and mitigates wheel slippage?

I'm not disputing what you said, I just never really understood the difference between AWD and full-time 4WD w/ a center diff; i thought they were pretty much one in the same.

 

[Engineer]

I'm not following you here. So the 4runner limited has 4WD w/ a center diff, but a subaru has AWD since it has a center diff and computer-controlled wheel slippage mitigation? Don't all 4runners also have a computer which detects and mitigates wheel slippage?

I'm not disputing what you said, I just never really understood the difference between AWD and full-time 4WD w/ a center diff; i thought they were pretty much one in the same.

Your best bet is to read the article linked in the Sticky's,

Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel-Drive: Everything You Need to Know

A major issue when discussing these systems is terminology is not exactly "standard". I think most would agree that the main difference between AWD and Full time 4x4 is the presence of a low range transfer case.

Yes all 4runners have Traction control systems that work to limit wheel slippage, there is VSC (vehicle skid control) and ATRAC however these systems do not work together. VSC is for driving around town and you get to aggressive through a turn with wet pavement. ATRAC disables VSC and is used for " I am stuck in the mud, sand or a rock/hill I cant climb"

 

[Dalko43]

Your best bet is to read the article linked in the Sticky's,

Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel-Drive: Everything You Need to Know

A major issue when discussing these systems is terminology is not exactly "standard". I think most would agree that the main difference between AWD and Full time 4x4 is the presence of a low range transfer case.

Yes all 4runners have Traction control systems that work to limit wheel slippage, there is VSC (vehicle skid control) and ATRAC however these systems do not work together. VSC is for driving around town and you get to aggressive through a turn with wet pavement. ATRAC disables VSC and is used for " I am stuck in the mud, sand or a rock/hill I cant climb"

So basically, we call a Subaru's system AWD because it has a center diff, and we call a 4runner's system 4WD because it has a center diff and a transfer case (referring to the Limited trim)?

 

[e60ral]

Full time 4wd has a center differential, awd has a center differential with a clutch system that allows slippage and selective computer determined use for individual wheels

i think this is a bad definition that might be confusing people, selective computers may be common today but its not integral to AWD

full-time 4WD is just AWD that can be locked (i.e. become 4WD) and has a transfer case for 4WD-Low

So basically, we call a Subaru's system AWD because it has a center diff, and we call a 4runner's system 4WD because it has a center diff and a transfer case (referring to the Limited trim)?

yeah, center diff that can be locked

 

[wfo9]

Op, beware WFO9'S opinion, he has an sr5 and is hardcore jealous of the trail premiums with KDSS especially. Almost every post involves trail bashing or KDSS bashing to justify his sr5 purchase. Someone needs to call it, it's getting old.

LOL, that is funny.... I only call it like I see if from experience actually wheeling the crap out of these trucks in all types of conditions. Very few people do that, but I think a different perspective is useful for everyone here.

How am I bashing the TE? I'm only putting real world experience into the discussions.

The rear locker is worth every penny.... However, crawl control is no substitute for transfer case gearing.... KDSS, is a double edged sword, it has pros and cons and is not the best choice for everyone. Great for some though. I've always said the same things. It is just not what everyone wants to hear.