Electronic vs Manual 4wd

H

Hi-Fi Guy

New member
I have been looking at a 2012 SR5 4Runner.
The guy at the other local dealer called me about a 2013 he just got in with the color I want w/ premium package. I go to look at it and I notice it has a knob actuated 4wd. At first I thought it was a Limited! The thing I hate most about my '04 Limited is the frigging knob on the dash! Any thoughts why Toyota changed the manually actuated (which I love) 4wd in the 2012 vs electronically actuated 4wd in the 2013.
 
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Owners had a hard time with the lever, even on here you can find a few complaints. I bet it was a big flag in the owner surveys and an easy fix for Toyota.
 
Wife would much prefer the electronic version. I miss my 6 spd so I'll take any kind of lever I can get. :driving:
 
I'm glad mine has the lever, 4wd will still work when the wires are not connected to the transfer case. It would be rare to disconnect the wires on the top of the transmission while wheeling, but anything is possible. I don't think the knob would engage the 4wd if the connection between the computer and the transfer case were broken.
 
Fernandina4runner said:
I'm glad mine has the lever, 4wd will still work when the wires are not connected to the transfer case. It would be rare to disconnect the wires on the top of the transmission while wheeling, but anything is possible. I don't think the knob would engage the 4wd if the connection between the computer and the transfer case were broken.
Click to expand...

The part time system still has an electric actuator with wires that actually locks/unlocks it in 4 wheel drive on the front axle. It's call the A.D.D. or Automatic Differential Disconnect and has had problems on FJ's and Taco's that have had the part time systems years before they came out on 5th Gen 4Runners.Just a heads up if you can't get it to lock or unlock into 4x4.
Front Differential Actuator Repair / Replacement - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
 
Does the manual lever offer more than the electric?

To me, the electric is smaller, easier to use, all I see are advantages.

It's like choosing the power window and power lock over the manuals, same thing to me...
 
For me the lever is just more tactile. Maybe it does have something to do with only having driven manuals all my life. Both systems do the same thing so it's all personal preference.
 
Fernandina4runner said:
I'm glad mine has the lever, 4wd will still work when the wires are not connected to the transfer case. It would be rare to disconnect the wires on the top of the transmission while wheeling, but anything is possible. I don't think the knob would engage the 4wd if the connection between the computer and the transfer case were broken.
Click to expand...

The actuator on those transfer cases is pretty similar to the disconnecting differential.

Ford and Chrysler have had issues with the electrical connector on the cases, and more than one recent vintage Chrysler RAM 1500's ... went up in flames when 4WD was engaged. So they do break, although Toyota is going to be about as boring as they come in this regard.

harper7 said:
The part time system still has an electric actuator with wires that actually locks/unlocks it in 4 wheel drive on the front axle. It's call the A.D.D. or Automatic Differential Disconnect and has had problems on FJ's and Taco's that have had the part time systems years before they came out on 5th Gen 4Runners.Just a heads up if you can't get it to lock or unlock into 4x4.
Front Differential Actuator Repair / Replacement - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
Click to expand...

I have been mulling over the ADD actuator mod myself - that way us part-time 4WD people won't have to engage 4WD proper for the front end to be worked. That being said, I am not even sure why they say that, since on our vehicles the CV shafts rotate all the time, so the seals won't really dry out, and neither will the contents of the front differential housing.

The old automatic or manual hubs disconnected the front drive at the wheels themselves - nothing would move there if the hubs were not engaged.
 
homeyclaus said:
The actuator on those transfer cases is pretty similar to the disconnecting differential.

Ford and Chrysler have had issues with the electrical connector on the cases, and more than one recent vintage Chrysler RAM 1500's ... went up in flames when 4WD was engaged. So they do break, although Toyota is going to be about as boring as they come in this regard.



I have been mulling over the ADD actuator mod myself - that way us part-time 4WD people won't have to engage 4WD proper for the front end to be worked. That being said, I am not even sure why they say that, since on our vehicles the CV shafts rotate all the time, so the seals won't really dry out, and neither will the contents of the front differential housing.

The old automatic or manual hubs disconnected the front drive at the wheels themselves - nothing would move there if the hubs were not engaged.
Click to expand...

The guy that did the write up on the FJ forum did a great job with it.
 
mutau052 said:
One of my top 5 reasons for buying the 4Runner was the manual transfer case.
Click to expand...

I have being playing in the new snow around my place, engaging/disengaging 4WD HI/2WD on my Trail. I find it very effective to just reach past the shifter and pull the transfer case lever. I don't need to read a dial and try to hit an index on a knob. Just a quick pull and I am good to go! In fact I don't even need to take my eyes off the road and I can accomplish this in the dark. I do a majority of my driving after the sun goes down so this is just another plus to me. My last 4x4 07 Xterra OffRoad had a knob on the dash. Sometimes it had a mind of its own with respect to engaging and disengaging. At least with the lever, I know the transfer case is mechanically engaged the moment I decide. The A.D.D still looks like it is in play though.
Regards,
Z
 
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Pulling the lever on my new TE is much more effective than the dial on my 06 Sport. There was always a lag with the dial. Much happier with the lever.
 
Zeder said:
I have being playing in the new snow around my place, engaging/disengaging 4WD HI/2WD on my Trail. I find it very effective to just reach past the shifter and pull the transfer case lever. I don't need to read a dial and try to hit an index on a knob. Just a quick pull and I am good to go! In fact I don't even need to take my eyes off the road and I can accomplish this in the dark. I do a majority of my driving after the sun goes down so this is just another plus to me. My last 4x4 07 Xterra OffRoad had a knob on the dash. Sometimes it had a mind of its own with respect to engaging and disengaging. At least with the lever, I know the transfer case is mechanically engaged the moment I decide. The A.D.D still looks like it is in play though.
Regards,
Z
Click to expand...

As I know, before switching the mode, you have to stop the truck and put the gear in neutral.
 
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