Front Axle Always turns in Gen 5?

[fjrjim]

My 2001 Gen 3 4Runner has the Automatic Differential Disconnect with always turning front axles. Do gen 4 and gen 5 still work this way?

 

[M1911]

My 2001 Gen 3 4Runner has the Automatic Differential Disconnect with always turning front axles. Do gen 4 and gen 5 still work this way?

In the 4th Gen, the V8 and V6 models have Torsen limited slip differential. The V8 has effectively four modes: 4Hi unlocked, 4hi locked, 4low unlocked, 4low locked. The V8 is always in 4WD.

The 4th Gen V6 has an additional mode: 2WD.

For the 5th Gen, it appears that things have changed. The Limited still has the lockable Torsen center diff and is still full-time 4WD. But it now has three modes: 4Hi unlocked, 4hi locked, 4low locked.

The 5th Gen V6 apparently does not have a Torsen center diff and can not be driven in 4WD on dry pavement. It has 2wd, 4wd hi, and 4wd low.

 

[ToyTech99]

For the 5th Gen, it appears that things have changed. The V8 still has the lockable Torsen center diff and is still full-time 4WD. .

There's no V8 in the 5th gen. At least not yet.

 

[fjrjim]

I take it that means the front axles are not spinning all the time.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I think the axle turns all the time. The only way to stop it is with lock out hubs that have not been used for years. I guess they think people are to lazy to get out and lock the hubs like in the old days.

 

[Uneek]

IIRC, with ADD from Toyota literiture, the front axles or half shafts (left and right) always turn in 2WD or 4WD on the 4th gen. There's a sleeve that connects the half shafts together and making both axles rotate together when it's in 4WD (receiving power from the TC), otherwise the two front wheels (left and right) are free to rotate on their own. It remains in full time 4WD, because there's a diff in the fornt axle allowing the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds.

 

[Uneek]

Better explaination:

http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=399612

 

[fjrjim]

Looks like ADD is standard. ADD limits suspension lift angle due to wear and vibration on the CV joints at freeway speeds. A Trail Edition with KDSS automatic stabilizer bar disconnect system (which allows greater suspension articulation) and a rear locking differential should be more than adequate. Probably need a winch if you're going somewhere that needs that stuff.

Replacing ADD with manual hubs would solve the (non-?)problem but I've heard this fix is non-trivial.

 

[M1911]

There's no V8 in the 5th gen. At least not yet.

Doh! I meant Limited trim.