Driving a 4Runner in 4WD - a lot...What are the negatives of this?

[CO4x499]

Yeah, so my wife and I both have 4Runners and I was discussing tires and 4wd today and she mentioned how she likes to drive in 4WD a lot.

We live in CO and she uses it on the highway (60-70mph) when it's icy or driving around town when it's icy out.

Is this bad for the truck? I've always thought it was unless you're on a dirt road.

Just curious if I need to have some preemptive work or inspections done to avoid costly issues later on.

08 SR5 with about 140k

 

[Joseph_Conrad]

Worse mpgs. The 4th gen v8s are full time 4wd and the v6 in 4wd is essentially the same, functions more like awd (with the center diff disengaged). You're thinking of more traditional 4wd systems, my dad's 2007 tacoma and my old 2002 tundra were like what you're thinking and should only be engaged on icy/wet/loose ground or you'll bind up.

Probably better to use the 4wd in the 4runner more rather than less. I've read posts on here with folks running their v6s in 4wd pretty much all the time with no reported ill effects.

When I lived in Minnesota and Ohio we'd leave ours in 4wd for extended periods without issues.

Sent from my BBB100-3 using Tapatalk

 

[Flesh Eater]

I would check the manual. 60-70 sounds way too fast for 4WD.

Personally, 4WD only gets used when needed for me. No use in wearing items prematurely for no reason.

Yes, I understand cycling it monthly. Different than running it down the highway.

Keep your diff and tc fluids changed, I guess.

 

[montijo505]

Worse mpgs. The 4th gen v8s are full time 4wd and the v6 in 4wd is essentially the same, functions more like awd (with the center diff disengaged). You're thinking of more traditional 4wd systems, my dad's 2007 tacoma and my old 2002 tundra were like what you're thinking and should only be engaged on icy/wet/loose ground or you'll bind up.

Probably better to use the 4wd in the 4runner more rather than less. I've read posts on here with folks running their v6s in 4wd pretty much all the time with no reported ill effects.

When I lived in Minnesota and Ohio we'd leave ours in 4wd for extended periods without issues.

Sent from my BBB100-3 using Tapatalk

I drive mine in 4hi a lot, the V6 anyway. No issues. Only downside is if she’s cruising in 4lo at those speeds, which aren’t great for it. As mentioned, the V8 is full time 4wd


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oldboy]

I would check your owners manual and see what it says about 4WD high driving, if anything. I have a 04 AWD limited. My vehicle is AWD and has no 2WD capability. The only limitation specified is for AWD low which states to not drive in AWD low on pavement because of drive train bind building up. There are no limitations on driving in AWD high and I really drive it on long distant trips - no problem. Not sure if 4WD high is the same as AWD in my vehicle...

My opinion is that what your wife is doing, 4WD ON slippery surfaces, is fine.

 

[Tironeous]

You’re fine as long as you don’t lock the center diff. As stated V8 is in 4hi all the time, which is essentially AWD until you lock the center diff. You’ll just get slightly worse mileage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gaber6]

I even switch mine on and off up to 40 mph with zero issues. I'll also keep mine on for rain or snow even on the highway. I drive slow at 70mph in a 65 anyhow.

 

[Berty_K]

You need to provide a bit more information.

If you are in 4Hi with the center diff locked (true 4x4), then you're going to strain your drive train.

If you are in 4Hi without the center diff locked ("awd"), then you have no problem. Additional "wear" is marginal.

I spend the months of Chicago winter in 4Hi without the center diff locked.

 

[Burt]

Staying in AWD mode should be OK at those speeds, but 4WD could be down right dangerous. Gosh... going 60-70 mph on icy conditions is dangerous no matter what mode the drive train is in. Be safe please.

 

[Flighht2k]

I drive mine in 4hi a lot, the V6 anyway. No issues. Only downside is if she’s cruising in 4lo at those speeds, which aren’t great for it. As mentioned, the V8 is full time 4wd


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s impossible to cruise at 60 in 4lo

 

[Bossman]

Helpful Toyota video explaining the different 4WD systems on Toyotas (including 4Runner V6 Multi-Mode 4WD and V8 Full-Time 4WD).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN6-gCxI60g

 

[Ida4runner]

It’s impossible to cruise at 60 in 4lo

Isn't it scary what some people post here as firsthand knowledge?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Should be fine, the Torsen T3 in these cases helps it mitigate some of the more traditional binding you'd notice on say a Tacoma or a newer 4Runner without the Torsen (rough example is you'll feel the drivetrain and steering bind/work harder as you get closer to full steering lock on drive pavement.)

If you're driving in 4Hi with the Center Diff Unlocked, you're essentially in the same set-up as the All-Time 4WD of the V8's. If you want to be in "true 4WD" with the center differential locked, I would only drive it on slippery conditions and probably not as high as 60mph. theoretically if you're on a slippery surface that allows the system to slip through the wheels vs. the transfer case (which is what the Torsen is doing) then it should be okay at those speeds; but that's theory not practice.

Out here in Central Oregon, it's not uncommon for most people to throw their Toyotas in 4Hi for the winter. We only see issues when people do stupid things (like trying to unstick themselves, spinning the rear wheels nice and fast and then hitting dry pavement at like 35mph and blowing the rear end but generally speaking it hasn't caused any failure patterns we've noticed.