How fast can I go in 4WD?

[Robb235]

Just curious how fast I can go in "All-wheel drive mode". I say AWD, meaning that it's in 4wd with the center diff unlocked.

I had it in 4wd with center diff unlocked, and forgot to take it out. I merged onto the interstate, and at 60mph, I realized that I never put it back to 2wd. I put the transmission in neutral, clicked the 4wd button, it went back to 2wd, and put the shifter back in Drive.

How fast can I (safely) go with the center diff unlocked?

 

[Singtoe]

your safe at any speed. Conditions permitting.

 

[Robb235]

your safe at any speed. Conditions permitting.

I thought that might be the case, but wasn't sure.

I think Toyota uses this same transmission in other vehicles that have full-time 4wd?

 

[shootmymime]

fyi you dont need to shift it into N when you pushed the 4wd button. your safe to push it on the fly as long as your wheels are not spinning at different rates. say sliding.

 

[the great him]

top speed is warp speed

 

[amalik]

This is a nice feature of the 4Runner and I used it today.

Does this button enable 4H and if so how come it's not the same for 4L ?

fyi you dont need to shift it into N when you pushed the 4wd button. your safe to push it on the fly as long as your wheels are not spinning at different rates. say sliding.

 

[snivilous]

This is a nice feature of the 4Runner and I used it today.

Does this button enable 4H and if so how come it's not the same for 4L ?

The 4WD button means that the transfer case is engaged to put power to the front and rear tires (2WD being just the rear).

The transfer case shifter (which has 4H - N - 4L) changes the gearing on the transfer case so you can crawl slowly with lots of torque but not much speed (4Lo) or not modify the gearing at all (4Hi) for less torque but a higher speed range.

So yes, the button engages 4Hi so to speak since you have to be stopped to shift into 4Lo and the truck will automatically engage 4WD even without the button depressed (unless modified).

And for the record, keep in mind that a conventional 4WD system has the front and rear driveshafts spinning at the same speed (which you shouldn't drive on grippy surfaces like that) and if you have the AWD system (2001-2002) then the 4WD button is really an AWD button until you lock the center differential (orange light in middle of the 4WD indicator is lit).

 

[02SE]

When the 3rd gen 4Runner was making it's debut, Toyota stated that it was governed to 106 mph. Aftermarket add-ons that hurt aerodynamics like roof racks, lifts, and/or heavier oversized tires will reduce the chance of reaching the governor.

So I'd say something less than 106 mph.

 

[steezemcqueen]

top speed is warp speed

I think you mean ludicrous speed

 

[the great him]

I think you mean ludicrous speed

nope i ment warp speed, as in he is gonna start warping parts by driving fast with them, when they were ment to be used at slow speeds...

 

[Limbwalker]

on asphalt, its not great. I mean its not a AWD Subaru, BUT after plowing snow for 19 years and beating the hell out of 4x4 trucks and spending a VERY long time in 4H on snowy AND wet to dry roads? You probably didnt hurt anything. Itll live

 

[Holley]

I think you mean ludicrous speed

What about plaid? opcorn:

 

[TheArkMaster]

When the 3rd gen 4Runner was making it's debut, Toyota stated that it was governed to 106 mph. Aftermarket add-ons that hurt aerodynamics like roof racks, lifts, and/or heavier oversized tires will reduce the chance of reaching the governor.

So I'd say something less than 106 mph.

A speed most of us can only dream of hitting *Sigh*

I once hit 98, Then the hill turned into a flat road....

 

[JohnsD90]

When the 3rd gen 4Runner was making it's debut, Toyota stated that it was governed to 106 mph. Aftermarket add-ons that hurt aerodynamics like roof racks, lifts, and/or heavier oversized tires will reduce the chance of reaching the governor.

So I'd say something less than 106 mph.

Mine cuts out at 108mph, I bet i could get 120-125 out of it on the right straight away if it wasn't limited. The red truck couldn't get past like 102, this one has way more balls, i can only assume it was maintained better.

 

[02SE]

Mine cuts out at 108mph

Is that on the speedometer, or a GPS? A bit of speedometer error is common on non-certified (read not law enforcement certified) speedometers. GPS would be the most accurate method of speed measurement for civilians.

At any rate, that's what the Toyota Engineer stated in the article I was reading, back in 1995. He stated it was a tire integrity speed limit.

But he also stated that it wouldn't run much faster anyway, as the amount of horsepower needed to push the stock truck through the air at that speed, was pretty close to a the maximum horsepower the 5VZ-FE was capable of producing.

 

[BrianSD_42]

assuming you are on dirt or sand then you can go as fast as you want until you flip and crash

 

[snivilous]

A speed most of us can only dream of hitting *Sigh*

I once hit 98, Then the hill turned into a flat road....

I did a full speed run down a couple mile straight away on my trip to school and I usually am LUCKY to hit 90mph on the downhill grade. I feel ya bro!

And I've had my 4Runner in the AWD setting for 149xxx of it's 149xxx miles of its life and never had issue.

 

[JohnsD90]

Is that on the speedometer, or a GPS? A bit of speedometer error is common on non-certified (read not law enforcement certified) speedometers. GPS would be the most accurate method of speed measurement for civilians.

At any rate, that's what the Toyota Engineer stated in the article I was reading, back in 1995. He stated it was a tire integrity speed limit.

But he also stated that it wouldn't run much faster anyway, as the amount of horsepower needed to push the stock truck through the air at that speed, was pretty close to a the maximum horsepower the 5VZ-FE was capable of producing.

It was the speedo, i don't know what the true speed is, but my tires are basically the same height as stock, just a little narrower, plus i have a standard trans so i have less drivetrain loss than an auto truck it will go faster.

 

[02SE]

I have a '97 V6 5-speed 4Runner with a better flowing intake, a free flowing muffler, and slightly oversized LT265/75R16 tires. My Sister has an '01 V6 Auto trans 4Runner, and is stock except she also had LT265/75R16 tires. The tires at the time were the same Toyo Open Country A/T's.

Anyway, years ago we were bored, and decided to see if one was faster than the other. On an empty, desolate stretch of road we raced from a stop. Mine was quicker in acceleration, but both maxed out at just a bit over 100 mph, where they were pretty much even.

Bottom line: 4Runners are not quick or fast.

 

[HotRodKing]

When the 3rd gen 4Runner was making it's debut, Toyota stated that it was governed to 106 mph. Aftermarket add-ons that hurt aerodynamics like roof racks, lifts, and/or heavier oversized tires will reduce the chance of reaching the governor.

So I'd say something less than 106 mph.

I was wondering why I couldn't go faster! I hit 96 with my roof rack once. When I took it off I tried to see how fast I could go. Got to 106 but figured it had a little more in it. Both speeds measured with GPS, but at least knowing this saves me the danger of trying to hit 107+