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

[JayceeP]

Hey [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], in the article in your signature, is there a typo under the Full-Time 4WD section? The last sentence of the first paragraph reads, "Full-time AWD continues to shower each of the wheels with some portion of power, even those without a snowball’s chance in hell of gaining traction." After reading this article a second time, I've come to realize that AWD should actually be 4WD and explains why I was still confused about how these systems work. I then read: once locking the center diff, more power will be sent to the wheels that have traction/are stuck- is that right?

Hopefully I'm not wrong here lol.

 

[Jhalko]

We are getting the Limited tomorrow! And the main reason is the center differential, not the added luxury.

!

Good luck and the LE will be great! Don't forget to post a picture of it, it never gets old around here.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

We are getting the Limited tomorrow! And the main reason is the center differential, not the added luxury.

I have been thinking about it and concluded that it does not make sense to get a part-time 4WD because of the lack of a center diff. Here's why: again, the twisty mountain road in snow or heavy rain. You need increased traction. Can you engage 4WD on a non-Limited 4Runner? No, you can't, because you are on a twisty road and linking the front and real axles will do more harm than good. Handling will become unpredictable. You'd be better off in a cheap Subaru in the mountains in winter!

I'm fine with this answer...

If it's what he is telling his wife so he can get all the goodies that come on a Limited...

Edit:

I am gonna go with the Limited.

However, a friend of mine mentioned the Grand Cherokee. Apparently those are full-time 4WD, and have more power and much nicer interiors than the 4Runners, but for some reason they're not popular at around here. Hell, I see more BMW SUVs than GCs! What do you guys think?

In response to that, I would swear after my last vacation which was San Francisco to Mr. Shasta/Lassen to Lake Tahoe to Yosemite back to San Francisco that the official vehicle of Northern California is the Toyota Tacoma. I also did not see very many Grand Cherokee's... My last trip to LA was Camry's and Luxury vehicles.

 

[Bilbo]

Hey [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], in the article in your signature, is there a typo under the Full-Time 4WD section? The last sentence of the first paragraph reads, "Full-time AWD continues to shower each of the wheels with some portion of power, even those without a snowball’s chance in hell of gaining traction." After reading this article a second time, I've come to realize that AWD should actually be 4WD and explains why I was still confused about how these systems work. I then read: once locking the center diff, more power will be sent to the wheels that have traction/are stuck- is that right?

Hopefully I'm not wrong here lol.

You have it backwards. When unlocked, the Torsen center differential sends more power to the axle with traction.

Actually, two things happen with the Torsen center diff. When unlocked, more power is sent to the axle with traction and the front and rear drive shafts are allowed to rotate a different rates. When locked, 50% of the power is sent to each axle and the front and rear drive shafts rotate at the same speed.

The unlocked Torsen center diff will never send all the power to one axle. The front drive shaft can vary from 53% down to 30%. The default is 40% to the front axle. The ability of the unlocked center diff to allow different drive shaft rotational speeds is what makes it possible for a 4WD vehicle to turn tight corners on dry pavement.

 

[JayceeP]

You have it backwards. When unlocked, the Torsen center differential sends more power to the axle with traction.

Actually, two things happen with the Torsen center diff. When unlocked, more power is sent to the axle with traction and the front and rear drive shafts are allowed to rotate a different rates. When locked, 50% of the power is sent to each axle and the front and rear drive shafts rotate at the same speed.

The unlocked Torsen center diff will never send all the power to one axle. The front drive shaft can vary from 53% down to 30%. The default is 40% to the front axle. The ability of the unlocked center diff to allow different drive shaft rotational speeds is what makes it possible for a 4WD vehicle to turn tight corners on dry pavement.

Ok, yes I see what you mean. What I wrote didn't match with what I thought in my head. I inderstand locking the centre diff splits the power whereas unlocked can allow more power to one axle over the other. I feel as thought I prefer the behaviour of a locked diff. I found my 4dr Jeep Wrangler to feel better in the snow when engaged in 4wd vs the 4Runner and I understand from the article locking the centre diff in my 4Runner would make behave/perform similarly to the manually engaged 4wd system, which I didn't do last winter.

The only annoyance I have beyond that is that the 4Runner has a speed override for traction control. Not as much fun in the snow lol.

 

[1engineer]

Hey [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], in the article in your signature, is there a typo under the Full-Time 4WD section? The last sentence of the first paragraph reads, "Full-time AWD continues to shower each of the wheels with some portion of power, even those without a snowball’s chance in hell of gaining traction." After reading this article a second time, I've come to realize that AWD should actually be 4WD and explains why I was still confused about how these systems work. I then read: once locking the center diff, more power will be sent to the wheels that have traction/are stuck- is that right?

Hopefully I'm not wrong here lol.

Yes. Editor's mistake. It uses "4WD" throughout the paragraph and then "AWD" there in the last callout.

 

[NoDak]

Ok, yes I see what you mean. What I wrote didn't match with what I thought in my head. I inderstand locking the centre diff splits the power whereas unlocked can allow more power to one axle over the other. I feel as thought I prefer the behaviour of a locked diff. I found my 4dr Jeep Wrangler to feel better in the snow when engaged in 4wd vs the 4Runner and I understand from the article locking the centre diff in my 4Runner would make behave/perform similarly to the manually engaged 4wd system, which I didn't do last winter.

The only annoyance I have beyond that is that the 4Runner has a speed override for traction control. Not as much fun in the snow lol.

you do know you can disable that semi permanently between startups instead of turning off automatically at 32mph+

 

[JayceeP]

you do know you can disable that semi permanently between startups instead of turning off automatically at 32mph+

What do you do? I recall you posting this in another thread and my manual is in the 4Runner.... which is in the garage... which is downstairs .

 

[JB.]

We are getting the Limited tomorrow! And the main reason is the center differential, not the added luxury.

I have been thinking about it and concluded that it does not make sense to get a part-time 4WD because of the lack of a center diff. Here's why: again, the twisty mountain road in snow or heavy rain. You need increased traction. Can you engage 4WD on a non-Limited 4Runner? No, you can't, because you are on a twisty road and linking the front and real axles will do more harm than good. Handling will become unpredictable. You'd be better off in a cheap Subaru in the mountains in winter!

It sounds like you have an idea of the right mechanism but have an exaggerated view of its effect.

Locked 4wd will tend to under steer around slick, twisty turns and trace a slightly wider arc than unlocked, but the handling is predictable (with minimal experience) and it poses no serious driveability problems if used properly.

But it does sound like the LE is well suited to your use and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. As an added bonus, since you'll have both modes available, you'll be in a position to experiment and get direct feedback any time you like.

 

[JayceeP]

Oh, [MENTION=1032]NoDak[/MENTION], I tried the extended hold last winter a few different times, as per manual. My Jeep was the same way, but I'm fairly certain the TRAC/VSC re-engaged. I will try again today, as I gave up on it, and if it doesn't work will take the 4Runner to the dealer.

 

[NoDak]

Oh, @NoDak, I tried the extended hold last winter a few different times, as per manual. My Jeep was the same way, but I'm fairly certain the TRAC/VSC re-engaged. I will try again today, as I gave up on it, and if it doesn't work will take the 4Runner to the dealer.

you have to be at a complete stop/parked and push the button until both lights lite up on the dash, takes about 5-10 seconds.

both lights lit up means its turned off permanently until next ignition start.


this helps when I am at the bottom of a hill and need the oomph at a stoplight/stop sign. push the button afterwards to turn them on again.

 

[3wbdriver]

this helps when I am at the bottom of a hill and need the oomph at a stoplight/stop sign. push the button afterwards to turn them on again.

Or if you wanna do donuts in the dirt! :reddance:

 

[SoCal4Run]

2wd in Snow (Denver area)

Ok, I will post this here rather than making a new thread. When I purchased my 2014 SR5, I just got the 2wd, as I didn't really need the 4wd with what I was using it for. However, lately my wife and I have been discussing a possible move to CO (Denver area). Would I be ok with the 2wd and a good set of snow tires, or am I screwed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[1engineer]

Ok, I will post this here rather than making a new thread. When I purchased my 2014 SR5, I just got the 2wd, as I didn't really need the 4wd with what I was using it for. However, lately my wife and I have been discussing a possible move to CO (Denver area). Would I be ok with the 2wd and a good set of snow tires, or am I screwed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

If you stay on the road you will be fine if:
You get a great set of snow tires and cable chains. Also put about 300 lb of weight in the back. We used to drive like that all winter long with no issues.

 

[Jeremy556]

Ok, I will post this here rather than making a new thread. When I purchased my 2014 SR5, I just got the 2wd, as I didn't really need the 4wd with what I was using it for. However, lately my wife and I have been discussing a possible move to CO (Denver area). Would I be ok with the 2wd and a good set of snow tires, or am I screwed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry, Colorado is full.

I would trade/sell it where you are, as you won't be able to get rid of it here. You'd be fine with winter tires and 2wd, but in the summer you'll have a tough time exploring the thousands of miles of trails, without 4wd.

 

[SoCal4Run]

Sorry, Colorado is full.

I would trade/sell it where you are, as you won't be able to get rid of it here. You'd be fine with winter tires and 2wd, but in the summer you'll have a tough time exploring the thousands of miles of trails, without 4wd.

I was waiting for someone to say it was full. I promise I'll be the last one.....Yep, hindsight is always 20/20, right? Wish I would have just done the 4wd from the start, but there is no way to have known this move might happen.

 

[Canon_Bob]

Ok, I will post this here rather than making a new thread. When I purchased my 2014 SR5, I just got the 2wd, as I didn't really need the 4wd with what I was using it for. However, lately my wife and I have been discussing a possible move to CO (Denver area). Would I be ok with the 2wd and a good set of snow tires, or am I screwed? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I lived there for 20+ years before moving to FL. You won't be "screwed", but you'll probably wish you had the 4WD during the snow and ice conditions. Lot's of hilly streets in the Denver area (especially in the western suburbs) and those hills can be pretty tough when coated with ice. They also don't plow the side streets in most of the suburbs during the snowstorms...so getting out of your neighborhood in 2WD can be a challenge depending on where you live. You won't find many takers if you try to sell your 2WD version there, so if you think you're going to want 4WD it's better to unload it somewhere that has a market for it.

As for the OP on this thread, I think the limited in AWD is a good choice for you. No need to figure it all out, as the AWD should give you time to grow and understand how it all works. It'll handle most things up to a reasonable level, and then if you decide to become a "serious" off-roader, you can switch to a more conventional part time rig if needed. Enjoy the Limited. It's a good vehicle.

And by the way [MENTION=106181]SoCal4Run[/MENTION].....since I left, you can have my slot in Denver