Final Drive Ratio between Limited and SR5?

[Robb235]

Hi,

I can't seem to find the Final Drive Ratios of the SR5 and the Limited with the 3.4 V6.

The reason why I ask is because yesterday I test drove a '99 SR5 4wd and I felt like that thing had no power. This surprised me since one of my buddies has a '00 Limited 2wd (with 300k miles!) and his 4Runner has plenty of "get-up-and-go" to it. I was wondering if there was a difference in the gear ratios between the 2wd and 4wd, or between the SR5 and Limited.

Thanks.

 

[J-money$$$]

there is nothing mechanically different, those are just trim options for the most part, (some limiteds have a different gear ratio of 4.30)

could it just be the weight difference. 4wd components add alot of weight to a vehicle, and the 2wd wouldnt have the drag of the cv joints spinning.

 

[Robb235]

there is nothing mechanically different, those are just trim options for the most part, (some limiteds have a different gear ratio of 4.30)

could it just be the weight difference. 4wd components add alot of weight to a vehicle, and the 2wd wouldnt have the drag of the cv joints spinning.

I hope it's not the weight difference... It almost felt like I was towing something. I had to give ~80% throttle just to get onto a 4 lane state highway.

 

[YotaZach85]

Sounds like the one you test drove has a serious lack of maintenance, I'd keep looking. My runner with 231k miles ran a lot harder than that with heavy wheels and tires and stock 4.10's.

 

[J-money$$$]

Yeah i think the one you drove was seriously messed up. My runner with 4.10's and 33's has no issue getting on the freeway, but mine is a 5 spd. I have drove auto 4runners and they are just fine. Dont buy it !!!

 

[Baja Runner]

The 2wd's feel like they have a lot more get-go. I've noticed this because I've driven 2 other 2wd's and both were more peppy.

Reasons for this, most are obvious:
1) They will have taller gears (3.90's)
2) They have smaller tires (usually). The energy required to spin a tire increases 4-fold for every unit of length int he radial dimension
3) Lack of static mass of the x-fer case, front diff, etc
4) Lack of energy loss (dynamic mass) through the rotational inertia of spinning through the x-fer case gears, drive shaft and differential. Even when not in 4x4 mode, these components are spinning, and requires quite a bit of energy to do so.

I can't think of other reasons, but there might be some. I believe the transmission gearing are pretty much identical between the 4x4 and 2wd versions.

 

[J-money$$$]

The 2wd's feel like they have a lot more get-go. I've noticed this because I've driven 2 other 2wd's and both were more peppy.

Reasons for this, most are obvious:
1) They will have taller gears (3.90's)
2) They have smaller tires (usually). The energy required to spin a tire increases 4-fold for every unit of length int he radial dimension
3) Lack of static mass of the x-fer case, front diff, etc
4) Lack of energy loss (dynamic mass) through the rotational inertia of spinning through the x-fer case gears, drive shaft and differential. Even when not in 4x4 mode, these components are spinning, and requires quite a bit of energy to do so.

I can't think of other reasons, but there might be some. I believe the transmission gearing are pretty much identical between the 4x4 and 2wd versions.

#4 is kind of true. The FRONT drive shaft does not spin while in 2wd. Go see for yourself, You can spin it by hand if you have a 4wd. Unless you have a front lockright/aussie then the drive shaft will spin. with a 4wd you have the cvs spinning even in 2wd with the add models, THe passenger cv (stub shaft) disconnects from the carrier in the add tube. The drivers side cv goes directly to the carrier, and when in 2wd ends up just spinning the spider gears, but not the ring rear, and thus not the drive shaft.

and those taller gears give you more top end. A truck with 5.29's and 28" tires would have some seriously fast acceleration, but would only go about 50 mph.

I have no doubt that a 2wd will feel faster

 

[THEREALTOR1]

I hope it's not the weight difference... It almost felt like I was towing something. I had to give ~80% throttle just to get onto a 4 lane state highway.

Might be something as simple as this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/45445-how-get-better-throttle-response-free.html

 

[Robb235]

Might be something as simple as this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/45445-how-get-better-throttle-response-free.html

I'm thinking that's what it might be.

However instead, I bought a '97 T4R 4wd Limited with 200k miles for $4k. I've only driven it home so far since I haven't registered or insured it yet, but I like it! I feel like I got a good deal on it. The interior is in pretty good shape and so is the outside. Timing belt, water pump, seals, were replaced 100 miles ago, so they should be good for a while. I'm looking forward to having fun with this one!

 

[THEREALTOR1]

I'm thinking that's what it might be.

However instead, I bought a '97 T4R 4wd Limited with 200k miles for $4k. I've only driven it home so far since I haven't registered or insured it yet, but I like it! I feel like I got a good deal on it. The interior is in pretty good shape and so is the outside. Timing belt, water pump, seals, were replaced 100 miles ago, so they should be good for a while. I'm looking forward to having fun with this one!

Cool, congrats on the new Toy :driving: