Lever shifter to engage 4wd...

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BeastSlayer

New member
...I was at the dealership when they introduce the 5th gen 4runner.

I own a 4thGen (the latest my 2nd actually) and thinking of trading mine midway through my payments.

Now back to the dealership, I noticed the new 5th gen went back to dial type knob to engage the 4wd.

Call me nostalgic or old fashioned but I really want to go back to lever type. Owned a few jeeps, FJ, Suzuki, etc. before with levers (and some double-levers too) to engage it to 4wd. It's a chore sometimes but I love it.

Anyone know the story?
 
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BeastSlayer said:
...I was at the dealership when they introduce the 5th gen 4runner.

I own a 4thGen (the latest my 2nd actually) and thinking of trading mine midway through my payments.

Now back to the dealership, I noticed the new 5th gen went back to dial type knob to engage the 4wd.

Call me nostalgic or old fashioned but I really want to go back to lever type. Owned a few jeeps, FJ, Suzuki, etc. before with levers (and some double-levers too) to engage it to 4wd. It's a chore sometimes but I love it.

Anyone know the story?
Click to expand...

The Trail Edition has it.

I'm suprised no one on here has ordered the part separately and installed it into their 5th gen, replacing the knob. I'm not sure what the system looks like underneath.
 
Rocky5000100 said:
The Trail Edition has it.

I'm suprised no one on here has ordered the part separately and installed it into their 5th gen, replacing the knob. I'm not sure what the system looks like underneath.
Click to expand...

Me think the lever type actually move all those diff'l gears directly to engage 'em.

Replacing the dial type with a lever will still engage the gears electronically.

Just guessin', I'm not really a mechanical type unless it's those simple ex WWII Willy's.
 
My 2012 SR5 has the lever. That was the last year for it except as mentioned the trails still have it. So what makes them special enough to retain the lever? The dial IMO looks ridiculous. Looks like a radio knob on the console ,Sheesh!
 
I guess I'm the only one that would trade for the dial. After 100's of shifts in and out of 4WD I still find it doesn't want to engage every single time and I will still grind it on the rare occasion.
How well does the dial work? Always smooth?

Of course, the rear locker has a switch and it's even more ornery.
 
I have a 2012 with stick. Never thought about it but is it possible to switch the stick to the dial and if so what would be involved? Thank you all?
 
When I was test-driving 4Runners at the dealership, the salesman actually told me the switch and the lever both worked exactly the same; they were electronic systems and the lever was only there for looks to please the legacy crowd. LOL!

I like the lever in my TE, but have no argument with those who prefer the switch.
 
cbreze said:
My 2012 SR5 has the lever. That was the last year for it except as mentioned the trails still have it. So what makes them special enough to retain the lever? The dial IMO looks ridiculous. Looks like a radio knob on the console ,Sheesh!
Click to expand...

Exactly my sentiments.

That's why I decry the feminizing of the 4wds.

Why can't we stay on the basics of the Willy's and that boxy Toyota FJ/Land Cruisers?

Although I would concede, I love the convenience of being able to sleep in that driver's seat turned bed of my 4runner when I'm too tired (or just plain lazy) to put up a tent.
 
mjixx said:
I have a 2012 with stick. Never thought about it but is it possible to switch the stick to the dial and if so what would be involved? Thank you all?
Click to expand...

If it's the old fashioned stick where it's the lever that actually engages the gears, I don't think you can convert to dial.

If it's a dial and you want a stick, the system still engages the gear electronically, so the stick becomes macho cosmetics as I learn from the post here.

Admittedly, I thought the 4runner 5th gen is the old fashioned kind. No wonder switching to 4 low is still so (err, too) smooth.
 
1000MPH said:
I guess I'm the only one that would trade for the dial. After 100's of shifts in and out of 4WD I still find it doesn't want to engage every single time and I will still grind it on the rare occasion.
How well does the dial work? Always smooth?

Of course, the rear locker has a switch and it's even more ornery.
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. I must be a glutton for punishment but I still like it.

There were times that I would even have to move the vehicle forwards and backwards several times for the low gears (the most problematic) to engage.

And the horrors of sliding backwards in the hill backwards on a muddy and stiff road (lack of road maybe a better description) and the 4wd won't engage.

Maybe that's part of the fun -- and adventure.
 
BeastSlayer said:
Tell me about it. I must be a glutton for punishment but I still like it.

There were times that I would even have to move the vehicle forwards and backwards several times for the low gears (the most problematic) to engage.

And the horrors of sliding backwards in the hill backwards on a muddy and stiff road (lack of road maybe a better description) and the 4wd won't engage.

Maybe that's part of the fun -- and adventure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, part of the fun/adventure for sure. I wonder what a poll would show stick versus dial/knob.
Guess I'm just old school. I don't mind having to maneuver a bit if that's what it takes, although I usually have it in lo range before I actually need it, so no getting caught in a tight or steep squeeze. I dont wait till the last minute. I will say my 4 runner shifts very smooth into and out of 4x4. The oldest 4x4 I had was a '51 willys. That thing had three sticks and the hubs were a b!tch to lock.
Speaking of non auto hubs, I recall a tv commercial from years ago that showed an off road race between Chevy and ford. It was emphasized how the ford guy had to get out and turn his hubs where the Chevy guy had auto hubs and plowed right thru the mud hole getting the ford guy all wet. Why the heck the ford guy didn't lock his hubs beforehand is a mystery, its an off road race for cristsake!
I had an '04 tacoma with a stick, loved that truck then they went all wonky with the design and left the stick for a knob.
You know I be interested to hear from someone with more knowledge of these two systems. My stick shifting does produce a minor gear grind at times which gives me a sense of solid satisfaction that it is firmly in lo range. Do the dial knobs produce the same sensation of knowing your firmly engaged? Or do you just rely on the idiot light on the dash cluster? I don't need to see the light, I know I'm in.
 
BeastSlayer said:
If it's the old fashioned stick where it's the lever that actually engages the gears, I don't think you can convert to dial.

If it's a dial and you want a stick, the system still engages the gear electronically, so the stick becomes macho cosmetics as I learn from the post here.

Admittedly, I thought the 4runner 5th gen is the old fashioned kind. No wonder switching to 4 low is still so (err, too) smooth.
Click to expand...

5th Gen has the older school type if equipped with a lever, complete with gear grinding and all. They are smoother because these systems have been refined over the years.

If you find that constantly shifting into 4wd is becoming tiresome, there are a couple of options: 1. Stop shifting out of 4wd. The systems are very robust and can handle a little dry pavement as long as your not making constant sharp turns. 2. Get a Limited, 4th gen or (my favorite) Land Cruiser.
 
lol, you guys are trying to hold on.
They've taken away the manual hubs, the manual trans, and the manual windows and door locks. That lever is the last thing left.
I guess I'm kinda the same, I really don't want a freakin' pushbutton start.
 
buchaja said:
When I was test-driving 4Runners at the dealership, the salesman actually told me the switch and the lever both worked exactly the same; they were electronic systems and the lever was only there for looks to please the legacy crowd. LOL!

I like the lever in my TE, but have no argument with those who prefer the switch.
Click to expand...
omigod! incorrect info from a car salesman—alert the press! :D
 
The lever will keep my wife out of it.
Lever or knob they both (limited excluded) depend on the vacuum actuated front axle disconnect to engage the front axle. This may cause confusion for sales makers.
 
The lever is nice, but you still have the ADD (I believe the 4th and 5th gen ADDs are all electric vs. the older vacuum/electric ADDs on the 3rd gens) on the front axle... so you still don't have a completely "old school" 4WD system...
 
BlackWorksInc said:
The lever is nice, but you still have the ADD (I believe the 4th and 5th gen ADDs are all electric vs. the older vacuum/electric ADDs on the 3rd gens) on the front axle... so you still don't have a completely "old school" 4WD system...
Click to expand...

They are electric. Not much is vaccuum operated anymore.
 
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