Do the 2005's have posi (or equiv).

[ram]

Okay, I've got an '05 V-6. I keep in in 2wd. I've not had it long. Just noticed that when I'm spinning one wheel, the VSC kicks in. This is not good when I'm entering traffic! As you likely know, the VSC uses braking to control skid. The effect is to slow the vehicle. Well, if I'm spinning one wheel, it's cause I want to MOVE! usually, NOW!

So, is there an anti slip, or posi on the rear end of the 4th Gen T4R? Given my experience, I'm presuming not. My '96 had an open diff, with a supercharger. Wheel spin was an issue, and I couldn't stand on the gas until I was out of a turn to keep from spinning one wheel.

 

[Thai]

You are experiencing both VSC (dethrottling of engine) and ATRAC (traction control). I hear that the best way to cure the above problem is leave your 4runner in 4wd. Otherwise, you need to learn to deal with it. There is no way around it.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I was able to find this...

"V6 4WD 4Runners are equipped with Toyota's Multi-Mode shift-on-the-fly system with a Torsen-type limited-slip center differential. The driver can shift between 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low. The Torsen center differential is open in 2WD mode. It applies a rear bias in 4WD High, splitting torque 40/60 front-to-rear in normal driving conditions, providing the driver with a traditional feel and better stability when accelerating. The 4WD mode may be used in all types of driving conditions on all types of roads, from dry pavement to wet or snow-covered roads. The system gives the 4Runner a sure-footed feel because power is applied to all four wheels, improving traction. When the front wheels slip, up to 70 percent of the power goes to the rear wheels. When the rear wheels slip, up to 53 percent of the power goes to the front wheels."

I've never heard of anyone changing out the diffs for anything else than what comes stock, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been done...

 

[Falls]

Although I have the full time 4x4 system , one of the great things is I can just ropm in it in the rain and snow to pull out into traffic and really dont get wheel spin because its always in 4x4.

I think when the center diff is locked in it turns off the VSC , but keep the A-Trac enabled. Which is close to a locker , limited slip type thingy as we can get offered in the 4R. Some say the A-Trac is awsome in how it works on both front and rear diff's. It seems to work great for me too , kind of the best of both worlds. Although I'm old school and would rather have locking manual hubs , a floor lever shifter for the 4x4 ranges , on lockers in front and rear that I can control.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong please. I've only figured that out from spinning donuts in winter snow storms and need to have the diff. locked to do it. Although I think the 4r has the best traction of any of the 4x4's that I've owned. For some reason it seems to go anywhere. Granted I do have some Revos on , which are light years better than the stock Donlops as far as traction.

 

[007Runner]

Not looking for a pissing match, but Consumer Reports did not rate the Revo tire well for snow use. The exceptional traction you are experiencing is because of the A-TRAC system doing its thing. This system is the reason the 4Runner has such big ventilated brakes. Need a really good braking system for the A-TRAC to work properly. The way the 4Runner performs in deep snow is what sold me. I thought the same thing, I have never been in a 4 wheel drive vehicle that digs, claws, and pulls the way the 4Runner does. Makes me really wonder how much deep wet snow it takes to stop this beast?

 

[RevoRunner]

I could be totally off base on this... but I thought the design was to apply brake pressure to the wheel that was spinning to allow for more power transfer to the wheel that has the traction. If this is the case and you stomp on the gas, then applying brake pressure to the spinning wheel that has no traction (giving more power to the traction wheel) should give you more push/speed. I have the V8 so the all time 4WD is nice like the other poster said. My friends in their Ford F150's and Avalanches comment all the time about my 4Runners ability to get great acceleration no matter the conditions. When I do lock the center diff I do notice the VSC disable light come on.

 

[Uneek]

As Thai said, you can keep the truck in 4H and it'll just like be the V8 with permanent full time 4WD. There's no harm done for the V6 in doing so. But don't lock the center diff on dry pavement.

 

[ram]

VSC, ATRAC, DAC, HAC, 2wd, 4-hi, 4-low-, when to lock the diff, when not to lock the diff, climate control, man, I need to spend more time with my owner's manual.

Moving on, as I said above, when in 2wd and I make a right turn and merge into traffic, sometimes, the right rear spins. It feels like the 4Runner is applying a front brake. Not sure what all is kicking in, and have not felt what I perceived as a power down, maybe its so.

Anyway, I thought this thing had some form of limited slip in the rear when it was in 2wd. Thanks for the input guys. As someone noted above, if its an issue, I'll kick it into 4wd.

As a side note, someone above said they would rather have the manual with the floor shifters. Well, after I skidded sideways on an icy bridge at 60 mph in my 1994 T4R (road was wet, not icy, bridge was icy, and my cruse control was set at 65 mph, and there was a nasty bump entering onto the bridge) I'd rather forego the manual controls and let my 4Runner computer help re-gain control by choosing one of those acronyms above!

Thats what sold me on the 2005 T4R, I don't have to be in 4wd for the system to help out. Guess the spinning rear wheel is a product of the VSC luxury.

 

[Mr. Lambdebois]

The way the 4Runner performs in deep snow is what sold me. I thought the same thing, I have never been in a 4 wheel drive vehicle that digs, claws, and pulls the way the 4Runner does. Makes me really wonder how much deep wet snow it takes to stop this beast?

Got any pics of the 4runner going though some deep stuff?

 

[Mr. Lambdebois]

No it does not have a traditional "posi" otherwise known as a limited slip in it. Old timers will tell you there is only one true posi and that is the good old detroit locker which is in a different class itself. The 4runner actually has open front and rear differentials. :awais:

An old time trick used by 4x2ers with open differentias was to manually and slowly apply the ebrake to create resistance on the axle that is spinning.

In theory of an open differential powerflow will go to the side with the least resistance which would be the one spinning. By applying brake pressure and resistance to the axle that is spinning an equivalant anount of torgue resisted on the spinning axle will go to the tire that isn't moving.

Atrac is what the old guys used to do with the e-brake in a way but way more advanced. In theory it makes sence and should work if they got the programing of it right. I have yet to see it work in person but will in a few months when I make my way out to Colorado. I will be comparing it to a vehicle with front and rear traditional limited slips.

 

[spyne]

Got any pics of the 4runner going though some deep stuff?

No pics, but I was able to go through 14 inches of virgin snow without any problems a year or two ago. Could even come to a complete stop and take off without spinning a single tire. I have to say, it made a convert out of me, in the past I'd always insisted on "real" 4WD with locked axles.

 

[Thai]

Anyway, I thought this thing had some form of limited slip in the rear when it was in 2wd.

Well, in 2wd, ATRAC is acting on your rear axle...and this is equivalent to having a LSD in the rear. When you're in 4wd (HI or LO), you have ATRAC acting on both front and rear axles...and this is equivalent to have LSD on both axles.

I would not pay attention to Toyota's wording of ATRAC ("automatic limited-slip differential"...bullshit marketing term)...there is no other form of positraction on your 4runner.