Do any Gen 4's bind on turns in 4hi like Gen5's?
- Thread starter Kennyr44
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Sporin
New member
Unlike the 5th gens, where only the Limited gets the full time 4WD capability, it's available on ALL 4th gens. I think it's a huge advantage that I'd hate to be without. I often leave my truck in 4Hi for days on end in the winter because I drive on sloppy roads a lot.
Kennyr44
New member
So do all gen 4's with 4wd have a transfer case to allow non binding tight turns? We traded our 2014 SR5 for a 2015 Limited because of this.
i usually just leave mine one when we are getting a lot of snow, this past winter i left it on for a month straight, lol
mrpurplepenguin
New member
For the 4th gens, if it has 4WD it has a center diff and won't bind up*. Hope that helps!
Small correction to your post: it isn't the transfer case that eliminates binding during turns, it's the center differential. All selectable 4WD vehicles have a transfer case to engage/disengage 4WD, but not all have a center diff to allow the front/rear drivelines to rotate at different speeds and not bind during turns.
*The center diff can be locked via a switch inside the cab, this will cause binding during turning and is only for use on loose surfaces.
TheTurboMRT
Member
Whatever the speed limiter is. V8 4x4's don't have a 2HI.
Wait a minute. So are you guys saying that non-Limited 5th gens (Trail and SR5, there is no sport anymore) do not have an open center? i.e., center diff is always locked causing it to bind in turns?
Sounds improbable. Toyota wouldn't take away an open center with an optional center lock, that's a common feature.
Sounds improbable. Toyota wouldn't take away an open center with an optional center lock, that's a common feature.
Sporin
New member
Correct, and clarified perfectly by mrpurplepenguin below.
Improbable but true. In all but the Limited trims, the 4WD system is the same part-time system used in the Tacoma. Only for use on slippery surfaces.
It is, in my opinion, a big knock on the 5th gens and a real 'cheap-out" move by Toyota. I'd love a 5th gen someday but I'll be forced into a Limited for this reason.
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Kennyr44
New member
Exactly! Its almost unbelievable, especially after I spent 40k and found out after the fact.
Well...I was experimenting with my new 2015 today and found out the hard way that, unlike my 3rd gen, the 4WD isn't that flexible.
I managed to bind it by parking of course....and had to switch back to 2WD to get it unstuck of course!
Is it also a 'feature' that the reverse gear on the 2015 feels like I'm driving with the brakes on? :-/
I managed to bind it by parking of course....and had to switch back to 2WD to get it unstuck of course!
Is it also a 'feature' that the reverse gear on the 2015 feels like I'm driving with the brakes on? :-/
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flanneljunkie
New member
Where I live, we typically have snow on the ground for about 6 months out of the year. Even so, the roads can be just as dry as they are slick in many spots, so I was concerned with the conventional 4WD on the 2015 4Runner that I was buying for my wife. She is used to her 2002 4Runner with a locking center differential.
After test driving the new 4Runner on our winter roads, I can say that the binding is minimal for most everyday driving. Of course, if you are on dry pavement you are going to have to account for that. But hard pack parking lots and marginally loose surfaces, it isn't too bad. Nothing like any of my pick up trucks.
In the end, I would have loved to have the center diff in the new 4Runner, but it wasn't enough to sway us from the trail edition. My wife will simply adjust her driving habits and be more aware of the road conditions and how and when to operate her 4WD.
After test driving the new 4Runner on our winter roads, I can say that the binding is minimal for most everyday driving. Of course, if you are on dry pavement you are going to have to account for that. But hard pack parking lots and marginally loose surfaces, it isn't too bad. Nothing like any of my pick up trucks.
In the end, I would have loved to have the center diff in the new 4Runner, but it wasn't enough to sway us from the trail edition. My wife will simply adjust her driving habits and be more aware of the road conditions and how and when to operate her 4WD.
