"Choose from 3 Drives: 4x2, part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD"

[uood8]

premium designator only adds creature comforts, not else to a base SR5 or TE.

SR5
SR5 prem
TE
TE prem
LE

those are the trim levels across the board currently. from cheapest to most expensive baseline.

Based on MSRP it goes

Sr5
TE
Sr5 Prem
TE Prem
LE

its a common misconception that all trails cost more than sr5's, i could have got a TE for thousands less than my Sr5 Prem.

This is for 4x4's, obviously a sr5 2wd prem would be less than a TE since they are not available in 2wd.

 

[Jeremy556]

Right. That means that, If I am driving on a mountain road in rain, I cannot switch to 4WD, I have to stay in RWD. Basically, 4WD is strictly for off-roading.

Sort of. In rain, you won't need 4wd anyway so stay in 2WD. On snow/ice, use 4hi, you don't have to worry about drive line binding. To do your 10 miles per month, just shift to 4hi going straight.

This is how most every 4wd truck and SUV has operated for decades; I don't understand how everyone has become so confused about these things.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

This is how most every 4wd truck and SUV has operated for decades;

Wait, I thought most 4wd trucks were "full-time 4WD", with an additonal central differential?

 

[wfo9]

Putting it in 4wd for a few miles every month or so is probably a good idea. However, its not going to fail if you forget once or twice. You also don't actually need to be on a slick surface to do it. Just go back to 2h when you need to make a sharp turn at slow speed. Pretty darn simple.

My neighbor told me that his GMC (RWD?) work truck has the same "binding" problem, and he can do nothing about it. It is very surprising that manufacturers would sell vehicles with this fundamental flaw.

2wd should not have any binding. That makes no sense. I have a new GCM and I have not experienced any binding or problems. Best driving full size truck I have ever been in.

All part time 4wd systems with a locking center diff will bind on dry pavement in slow sharp turns. It is by design, since the front axle and rear axle are directly synchronized. You want this in almost all types of hard core off road situations.

I suggest that you go read up on what a differential is used for and how it lets one wheel turn faster than the other on the same axle... Full time 4wd systems include 3 differentials (one for each axle + a center). Part time systems only have 2 (one on each axle) and 2 wheel drive systems only have 1 (one on the drive axle). The wheels need to move at different speeds in a turn. Outside wheels travel more distance than inside wheels. Front wheels travel further than the rear.

And No, most 4wd trucks are part time with no center diff. Most cars that are AWD have a center diff that does not lock.

 

[scanny]

Right. That means that, If I am driving on a mountain road in rain, I cannot switch to 4WD, I have to stay in RWD. Basically, 4WD is strictly for off-roading.

You should use 4hi when it's slippery i.e. you need additional traction. Heavy rain would qualify, as well as snow or any dirt or gravel road.

 

[1engineer]

Right. That means that, If I am driving on a mountain road in rain, I cannot switch to 4WD, I have to stay in RWD. Basically, 4WD is strictly for off-roading.

No it is for reduced traction situations like snow, mud, dirt etc. Why would you want to use 4wd in the rain? VSC will keep you from sliding in those conditions. Part time 4WD is exactly that: part time in slick conditions.

 

[Jeremy556]

Wait, I thought most 4wd trucks were "full-time 4WD", with an additonal central differential?

No, most 4WD since forever are part time 4wd with a 2 speed transfer case with no center diff. There are some exceptions to this starting in the 90s with Land Cruisers with a lockable center diff, later with Torsen T3, and 03-09 4runners with the same T3, and various (crappy, worthless) auto 4wd systems on some domestics, with a center diff here and there.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

OK, I get it now (finally).

The best of all worlds is full-time 4WD, with a lockable center differential. That is better than AWD, which has a non-lockable center differential.

In other words, the 4Runner Limited.

 

[JB.]

ProspectiveBuyer,

It appears you want to understand and aren't afraid of doing some reading. This might be of interest.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html

 

[Jeremy556]

OK, I get it now (finally).

The best of all worlds is full-time 4WD, with a lockable center differential. That is better than AWD, which has a non-lockable center differential.

In other words, the 4Runner Limited.

Yes. The limited's center diff allows all wheel drive on all surfaces without drive line bind. For worse conditions the limited can electronically lock the center differential, which provides the same effect as an SR5 or TE in 4HI - front and rear axles turning at the same speed.

Having lived at a ski resort, without shifting out of 4hi for months at a time, to living in the high desert and shifting between 2wd, 4hi, and 4lo several times a day, I don't really care about the center diff, but if my wife were driving it, I would prefer the T-3 center diff.

 

[hokie76]

OK, I get it now (finally).

The best of all worlds is full-time 4WD, with a lockable center differential. That is better than AWD, which has a non-lockable center differential.

In other words, the 4Runner Limited.

Depends on how you define best...you can't do donuts in the snow with full-time 4WD...you need part-time 4WD dis-engaged with the VSC off. Then the 4WD engaged when you get stuck, LOL

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

ProspectiveBuyer,

It appears you want to understand and aren't afraid of doing some reading. This might be of interest.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html

I've read the whole thread. It is funny how Toyota has decided to put a center differential only in the high end model in the current generation--cant have center differential without leather and navigation and other luxuries!

 

[3wbdriver]

I've read the whole thread. It is funny how Toyota has decided to put a center differential only in the high end model in the current generation--cant have center differential without leather and navigation and other luxuries!

This is because the Limited is probably aimed more at the soccer mom segment than us more testosterone driven types. They don't want to have to think about traction and that AWD works for them in 99% of their driving.

 

[Jeremy556]

I've read the whole thread. It is funny how Toyota has decided to put a center differential only in the high end model in the current generation--cant have center differential without leather and navigation and other luxuries!

Got to pay to play. Want the 4.6 V8, upgrade to the LX460.

 

[wfo9]

OK, I get it now (finally).

The best of all worlds is full-time 4WD, with a lockable center differential. That is better than AWD, which has a non-lockable center differential.

In other words, the 4Runner Limited.

Not necessarily the best of all worlds. Depends on where you live and what you use it for.

On the LE system you are spinning both axles all the time, that cost mpg even though you might not need it. It's not much, but it is something to consider.

If you plan to really understand everything about the 4wd system on these trucks you will want to research ATRAC and understand what it does.

You will also want to research what the rear e-locker does on the trail edition. Front and rear differential lockers can be added later to any model and are only required for hard core stuff. It's worth getting the e-locker that comes on the trail edition if you think you might want to get a little crazy offroad at some point. It's not really required (even if you end up getting hard core), but cheaper to get it now vs adding it later.

 

[KidVermicious]

My neighbor told me that his GMC (RWD?) work truck has the same "binding" problem, and he can do nothing about it. It is very surprising that manufacturers would sell vehicles with this fundamental flaw.

It's not a problem, it's how part-time 4WD works. It doesn't matter anyway, because who needs 4WD on dry pavement?

I've read the whole thread. It is funny how Toyota has decided to put a center differential only in the high end model in the current generation--cant have center differential without leather and navigation and other luxuries!

That's how most auto makers work these days. They sell vehicles with "option groups" so they can charge more. Cable companies do it to, when they sell you a $100 "basic" TV package with three channels you want and 156,000 you'll never ever watch.

 

[NoDak]

Based on MSRP it goes

Sr5
TE
Sr5 Prem
TE Prem
LE

its a common misconception that all trails cost more than sr5's, i could have got a TE for thousands less than my Sr5 Prem.

This is for 4x4's, obviously a sr5 2wd prem would be less than a TE since they are not available in 2wd.

on typical dealer allocations, the option packages price out in that order. now if you want to get into oddball request, yes you can get a TE for less than a SR5 prem or maybe a SR5, but most dealers don't order like that. they like to setup pricing as above so most people can understand the trim levels easier.

 

[intense1776]

This is because the Limited is probably aimed more at the soccer mom segment than us more testosterone driven types. They don't want to have to think about traction and that AWD works for them in 99% of their driving.

HEY! :flipoff:

:becky:

 

[nevada]

There is a total misconception there about not being engaged on dry pavement.

It is perfectly fine to drive in 4hi on dry pavement as long as you are not making slow (tight turns). General rule of thumb I found to work well is; If you are going over 30mph in the turn, 4hi is fine. If you need to go slower to make the turn (like making a turn at a T intersection) you will get some bind without going back to 2h first on dry pavement.

The need to go into 4x4 for at least 10 miles every month is just a guide. You could go a year and probably be fine (I know of 4 runners that did not see 4hi for years). It just helps keep the tcase chain lubed.

its all moot tho, as you wont need 4wd on dry pavement.

My neighbor told me that his GMC (RWD?) work truck has the same "binding" problem, and he can do nothing about it. It is very surprising that manufacturers would sell vehicles with this fundamental flaw.

if its RWD, then he doesn't have front end bind. likely it has a LSD rear, and someone forgot to add the friction modifier when they changed the gear oil.

Right. That means that, If I am driving on a mountain road in rain, I cannot switch to 4WD, I have to stay in RWD. Basically, 4WD is strictly for off-roading.

you have no reason, or need for 4wd on a dry(high traction) road.

Sort of. In rain, you won't need 4wd anyway so stay in 2WD. On snow/ice, use 4hi, you don't have to worry about drive line binding. To do your 10 miles per month, just shift to 4hi going straight.

This is how most every 4wd truck and SUV has operated for decades; I don't understand how everyone has become so confused about these things.

exactly.

No it is for reduced traction situations like snow, mud, dirt etc. Why would you want to use 4wd in the rain? VSC will keep you from sliding in those conditions. Part time 4WD is exactly that: part time in slick conditions.

exactly again.

It's not a problem, it's how part-time 4WD works. It doesn't matter anyway, because who needs 4WD on dry pavement?

and yet again. exactly. no need for 4wd on a dry road.

I would say its also not necessary on a wet road. rain? 2wd will work just fine.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I found this statement very illuminating: "While it’s somewhat of a sweeping statement, AWD systems generally excel at “all-weather” driving, not “all-terrain” driving."

Thanks!

Keep in mind that no 4Runner is available in AWD, the Full Time 4x4 on the Limited is very capable in "all-terrain" driving.