How does the all-time 4x4 work on the V8?

hybridamp

hybridamp

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I've been looking for a 4th gen since March and still haven't found a great deal yet, but I did find an "acceptable" deal on a 2005 Sport v8 4x4, but I noticed it doesn't have H2 setting on the 4wd switch so I searched around here on the forums and discovered the V8's are some type of full-time 4x4...?

How does this full-time 4x4 system work on the v8? Is it an adaptive AWD or what?

Thanks guys!
 
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It works like pretty much every full-time 4wd system. There's a transfer case/center differential that varies the power sent to the front and rear axles. Default bias is 40/60 f/r, but as much as 70% can be sent to the front axle when needed. We also have the option to lock the center into a 50/50 split. The hardware's slightly different, but you can think of it as a V6 4wd without the H2 setting. One could operate a V6 in H4 full time if they wanted to with the only issue being slighty lower mpg.

-Brent
 
The v8 4x4 system is about as good as it can get. No need to have to fool around with putting it in 4 wheel drive. On wet road or loose stones it is always on. I run most trails without even having to lock it in. This is the way all 4runners should be made. Even on the v6 model part time system the front axle is always turning so there is little extra drag with the full time setup.
 
Great explanation above. The one thing you might want to read up on is called a "Torsen Differential". They aren't exclusive to Toyotas. They are put in many high end vehicles, and the 4Runner with full time 4x4 has one. It is some interesting reading and explains pretty well how the whole system works.

I believe the V6 models also include a Torsen, but they give you the option of turning the 4H off and going into 2H. But since it has a Torsen you can drive around in 4H all the time if you want. I wanted the V8 and we get enough bad weather here that I didn't care if I drove in 2H or not so I went with the V8. I also believe that 4x4's in general get worse mileage more due to the increased weight of the parts than the fact that they are driving extra wheels. I get pretty much the same mileage in my V8 as many of the guys here get in their V6. I get about 19.6 - 20.8 mpg in a mix of city and freeway, which beats my old 4x4 part time system FJ Cruiser by a few MPG.

Here is a link to the official Torsen sight and you can read up on their products and applications. The ONLY Official TORSEN Home Page!

Best of luck in your decision.
 
hybridamp said:
..."acceptable" deal on a 2005 Sport v8 4x4...
Click to expand...

Ditto the support for the performance and robustness of the center Torsen. Even Land Cruiser didn't have it until 2007.

Also, V8 gets you an external transmission cooler and since you're looking at 2005 (or later), the engine is the vvti version that breathes much better at higher rpm.
 
When I went to look at 4runners, the salesman at the Toyota dealership told me that the V8 was in 2wd mode all the time and when it started to slip it would kick into 4wd automatically. When I drove it , it felt so smooth that it really felt like it was only in 2wd.
So is this the case or is it full time 4WD?

The first winter I had it, it never once slipped. It drove really great in the snow. It drives way better than any other 4wd truck I have ever owned. I think it even drives better than my AWD Subaru WRX.
 
4Runnewbie said:
When I went to look at 4runners, the salesman at the Toyota dealership told me that the V8 was in 2wd mode all the time and when it started to slip it would kick into 4wd automatically. When I drove it , it felt so smooth that it really felt like it was only in 2wd.
So is this the case or is it full time 4WD?
Click to expand...
The salesman was full of it (big surprise). The 4WD V8 is fulltime 4WD -- torque is going to both axles at all times.

On the 4th gen, the 4wd system on the V6s is basically the same as that of the V8s with one added mode: 2WD. The V6s have a 2WD mode, the V8s do not.
 
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riverwolf said:
It works like pretty much every full-time 4wd system. There's a transfer case/center differential that varies the power sent to the front and rear axles. Default bias is 40/60 f/r, but as much as 70% can be sent to the front axle when needed. We also have the option to lock the center into a 50/50 split. The hardware's slightly different, but you can think of it as a V6 4wd without the H2 setting. One could operate a V6 in H4 full time if they wanted to with the only issue being slighty lower mpg.

-Brent
Click to expand...

Its the other way around. Up to 70% can be shifted to the rear axle. At most it can do a 50/50 split when locked.
 
JB. said:
Ditto the support for the performance and robustness of the center Torsen. Even Land Cruiser didn't have it until 2007.

Also, V8 gets you an external transmission cooler and since you're looking at 2005 (or later), the engine is the vvti version that breathes much better at higher rpm.
Click to expand...

2008 actually
 
eskimochaos said:
No its full time AWD not 4WD.
Click to expand...

Really:confused:


eskimochaos said:
Lots of bad info in this thread.
Click to expand...

:confused: I thought the replies were pretty much "spot-on". With the exception of a minor transposition error by Riverwolf about which end the 70% went to and J.B. being one model year off I didn't see any errors made by posters. (J.B.'s slip wasn't even about 4Runners!) Posters did refer to erroneous info given to them by salesmen but identified as such. In fact if in search of a conceptual understanding, as the OP was, then I'd say it is/was a great thread.

What is the difference between full time four wheel drive, all wheel drive versus automaticall wheel drive (on-demand system)

4WD and AWD Systems: Know Your Options

WikiAnswers - What is the difference between an AWD and 4WD vehicle

4WD vs AWD
 
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