Limited 4x4 vs SR5 4x4

[Redesper]

First off hello! I'm new to the forums, and while I've attempted to search this, I haven't been able to find the right answer.

Is there a difference in 4x4 capability between the Limited and the SR5? I see that the Limited has a knob you turn while, if I'm looking at the right pics, the SR5 has a handle.

Is the Limited as capable? Is the Limited a true 4x4?

Thank you in advance.

 

[chetJ]

From what I understand, the Limited is a full time 4x4 where as this is not the case with the SR5

 

[1engineer]

Just go to the Toyota website. A lot of questions will be answered for you there when you compare differences between models.

 

[MrGrimm]

LE are full-time 4WD. SR5 and TE are part-time. This does not make them a "true" 4x4. A "true" 4x4 would have the ability to lock the front AND rear end. This way if you get into a situation where only 2 opposite wheels have traction, you are still able to move along. Without lockers and you get into this situation, you will not be going anywhere without a little more skinny pedal.

Now this all depends on what type offroading you will need the truck for. For snow covered roads an open/open full-time 4WD would work better for you. If your goal is to do alot of of-camber situations, then a open/locked part-time 4WD (as is the case with a stock TE), then that vehicle would suit you more.

Ultimately a "true" 4WD has the ability to be locked/locked.

4Runner Features

 

[rickwol]

Is there a difference in 4x4 capability between the Limited and the SR5? I see that the Limited has a knob you turn while, if I'm looking at the right pics, the SR5 has a handle.

Accurate response by MR Grimm, but do you really think Redesper is capable of following the explanation?

 

[KCcarguy]

The limited is Full-time 4WD (AWD). It is always activated in all driving conditions. Nice to have for highway driving in foul weather or in situations where it's generally dry with slippery patches. They can be very off road capable. Harper7 has IMO the most bad-ass 4runner on here and it's a Limited!

The SR-5 is part time 4WD. It can only be used in low-traction situations, like snow, mud, sand, etc. Good enough to get the job done for most situations even without locking diffs.

 

[Dlak]

Yes a limited is just as capable as an sr5 offroad. A-trac is a beautiful thing, and can be just as capable as a TE depending on driving skill.


Signed, Biased LE owner

 

[tlflow]

I kind of like the way the gadgets work, I don't think that I could brake-lock the rear tires and leave the front tires free going down a gravel hill without it ... I don't have that skill-level. But I push a button and turn a knob and the JEEP guys pee themselves! :moon:

I thought that the LE was the Sh!t in snow with the locking center diff.

Any T4R is going to be a good time.

(ps I have really wanted to use that moon thingy for a while, I hope that was appropriate use of it.)

 

[M1911]

The Limited has a lockable, Torsen limited slip differential. When the center diff is locked, it behaves just the same as the part-time system on the SR5.

In other words, the Limited's 4WD system is just as capable as the SR5 offroad, and more capable than the SR5 on the road.

 

[Jin]

The limited is Full-time 4WD (AWD). It is always activated in all driving conditions. Nice to have for highway driving in foul weather or in situations where it's generally dry with slippery patches. They can be very off road capable. Harper7 has IMO the most bad-ass 4runner on here and it's a Limited!

The SR-5 is part time 4WD. It can only be used in low-traction situations, like snow, mud, sand, etc. Good enough to get the job done for most situations even without locking diffs.

darn, i just bought a SR5 4x4 a couple weeks ago thinking that i could use 4x4 mode during harsh weather (rain) during freeway driving. doesn't help me does it?

 

[scanny]

darn, i just bought a SR5 4x4 a couple weeks ago thinking that i could use 4x4 mode during harsh weather (rain) during freeway driving. doesn't help me does it?

You shouldn't use 4x4 on dry pavement. Wet pavement is OK I guess, the wetter the better : )

 

[zachb_NW]

You shouldn't use 4x4 on dry pavement. Wet pavement is OK I guess, the wetter the better : )

There are many threads on this and if I understand right you can drive all day on dry pavement while in 4wd it will not harm anything. You are actually suppose to drive 10 miles every month in 4wd. The 4wd system is not like a traditional a 4wd system which lock the front and rear together. Its more like a Awd system same just like the limited model. Basically think of you 4runner acting like the limited while in 4wd, the limited drives all day long on dry pavement. If you turn on the center diff lock then do not drive on dry pavement!

 

[4RFan]

There are many threads on this and if I understand right you can drive all day on dry pavement while in 4wd it will not harm anything. You are actually suppose to drive 10 miles every month in 4wd. The 4wd system is not like a traditional a 4wd system which lock the front and rear together. Its more like a Awd system same just like the limited model. Basically think of you 4runner acting like the limited while in 4wd, the limited drives all day long on dry pavement. If you turn on the center diff lock then do not drive on dry pavement!

Zach - The SR5 in 4WD does not have a center diff, so it is like driving the Limited with the center locked. (Not for dry ground).

 

[KCcarguy]

darn, i just bought a SR5 4x4 a couple weeks ago thinking that i could use 4x4 mode during harsh weather (rain) during freeway driving. doesn't help me does it?

When 4WD is on, the right/ left front wheels turn at the same speed, so you can go in a straight line, but you should not turn on high traction surfaces. With stability control/ decent tires/ common sense you'll be fine.

 

[zachb_NW]

Zach - The SR5 in 4WD does not have a center diff, so it is like driving the Limited with the center locked. (Not for dry ground).

So in 2010 and up 4runners they removed the locking center diff so that the 4x4 system now acts as a traditional system?

What was the reasoning behind this, money? Seems like Toyota cut a lot of features out of the 4runner in the 5th gen.

 

[4RFan]

When 4WD is on, the right/ left front wheels turn at the same speed, so you can go in a straight line, but you should not turn on high traction surfaces. With stability control/ decent tires/ common sense you'll be fine.

KC - I think you mean front and back turn at the same time. The rear locker on the Trail forces the right and left rear to turn together, but that is not on thr SR5 or Limited.

 

[4RFan]

So in 2010 and up 4runners they removed the locking center diff so that the 4x4 system now acts as a traditional system?

What was the reasoning behind this, money? Seems like Toyota cut a lot of features out of the 4runner in the 5th gen.

Yes, there has been plenty of discussion about it. The Limited is the only model now with a center diff (full-time 4WD).

 

[MrGrimm]

The limiteds Full time 4WD is good for icey and snowy roads and it can do "ok" offroad. The part-time 4WD of the trail is "ok" for icey and snowy conditions but is better suited offroad. It all depends on what you intend to do with your vehicle. Looking to hit up the malls, get a limited.

 

[Dlak]

The limiteds Full time 4WD is good for icey and snowy roads and it can do "ok" offroad. The part-time 4WD of the trail is "ok" for icey and snowy conditions but is better suited offroad. It all depends on what you intend to do with your vehicle. Looking to hit up the malls, get a limited.

Thats funny, my limited has never been to a mall.

The LE has fulltime 4wd with a lockable center differential via knob, this will give it the 50/50 torque split for offroad basically the same thing as the 2nd shifter on the sr5 and te. The only other traction device the TE has over the LE and sr5 is the rear locker and arb took care of that, there is also kdss and crawlcontrol. You are talking capability so to put it simply if you had two drivers with equal skill set an sr5 is not going to do anything a limited cant.

 

[M1911]

There are many threads on this and if I understand right you can drive all day on dry pavement while in 4wd it will not harm anything. You are actually suppose to drive 10 miles every month in 4wd. The 4wd system is not like a traditional a 4wd system which lock the front and rear together. Its more like a Awd system same just like the limited model. Basically think of you 4runner acting like the limited while in 4wd, the limited drives all day long on dry pavement. If you turn on the center diff lock then do not drive on dry pavement!

Huh?

The SR5 and Trail Edition have a traditional 4WD system and should not be driven in 4WD on dry pavement (or if you do, try not to turn). The Limited has a Torsen lockable limited slip diff and it can be driven in 4WD on dry pavement.