Part Time 4WD question, how dry is “dry pavement”
- Thread starter Bearshrimp
- Start date
scanny
Senior Member
well, winter time is coming. You start from snow covered driveway and residential street and come to some major road which got left lane dry pavement and right lane some sort of mix of slush and dry patches. I And then when you turn on the parking lot you might get from dry surface into pile of show left by plow truck. In this conditions I would think that 4X4 makes a lot of sense providing better handling when you hit a slipery patch. So I don't see myself to turn 4x4 on nad off all the time. I'll try to use my best judgement of course but I think I will hit quite a few dry pavement patches while running in 4x4. We'll see what happens.
Bearshrimp
New member
That kind of answers your own question. It sounds like even you will use 4Hi on dry pavement if “If I haven't used it in a while and I think of it”. I am interested in maintain my 4WD system during the months where I don’t need to (fall) or want to (spring) drive off pavement.
That's not correct. The TE and SR5 have a typical part-time 4WD systems with no center differential. When you put a TE and SR5 into 4WD, that forces the front and rear driveshafts to turn at the same speed. When you go around a corner, the rear diff takes a shorter path around the corner than the front diff. That requires the rear wheels to turn slower than the front wheels. But they can't, due to the front and rear driveshafts turning at the same speed.
Offroad or on a snow covered road, the tires can slip enough, so it isn't an issue. But on dry pavement it can eventually harm the drivetrain.
Sometimes. There are many different systems with very different implementations. Some have an open center diff, which isn't terribly useful. Some have clutch-style systems that require some slip before they shift torque to the rear axle. Others, like the 5th Gen 4Runner Limited and Land Cruiser, have a Torsen center diff. Unfortunately, manufacturers brochures and web sites make it almost impossible to determine the details of their systems.
Last edited:
jreiter
New member
Honestly, if you plan to drive in a lot of rain and snow and you are concerned about traction, some sort of full-time all-wheel drive vehicle will be a better choice for you. Like was mentioned above, the 4runner Limited has full-time 4wd (also known as all-wheel drive), along with brands like Subaru, Audi, and a number of others. A full-time all-wheel drive system will provide you with much better grip in rain and snow than any full-time 4wd system, and you won't ever have to worry about problems on dry pavement.
If you like the idea of a 4runner better than a car of some sort, then seriously consider the Limited. You can take off those 20" Limited wheels and replace them with a more proper 17" wheel, such as the stock Trail edition wheel, etc. That will ultimately be a much better choice if you spend a lot of time driving in inclement weather and on slippery roads.
If you like the idea of a 4runner better than a car of some sort, then seriously consider the Limited. You can take off those 20" Limited wheels and replace them with a more proper 17" wheel, such as the stock Trail edition wheel, etc. That will ultimately be a much better choice if you spend a lot of time driving in inclement weather and on slippery roads.
Bearshrimp
New member
Not really worried about wet weather traction, RWD with ABS and traction control is fine for that. Just wanted to know if it would be safe to drive in wet conditions in order to lubricate the 4WD components from time to time.
All things being equal I would like an AWD vehicle, but they are hard to find at my price point (30K-35K) with a low range transfer case and seating for an occasional 7. I am always open to suggestions, but the Limited is out of my price range.
ct221933
New member
Learning a lot about the part time 4WD system in this thread...unfortunately I took the T4R out last Saturday,engaged the Hi4 and drove from highway to a parking lot. Luckily it rained a little earlier in the day.
Will not do that again, but should I take the T4R to the dealership to check out if anything is damaged? What should I look out for symptoms of damage. The T4R seems to be working fine the next day (Just got home after a week long biz trip and haven't drove the vehicle for 5 days).
Will not do that again, but should I take the T4R to the dealership to check out if anything is damaged? What should I look out for symptoms of damage. The T4R seems to be working fine the next day (Just got home after a week long biz trip and haven't drove the vehicle for 5 days).
jreiter
New member
You don't really have to worry about it. It'll take more than a single short trip on pavement to mess up the drivetrain, especially if the roads were wet. Like folks have been saying, driving around on relatively straight roads won't hurt anything. It's the sharp cornering on dry pavement that is rough on it. Even then, these drivetrains are pretty tough. If it seems fine now, it most likely is fine.
jreiter
New member
Yeah, that's a tough call. There are some fantastic AWD vehicles with plenty of space inside, but the seating for 7 really limits the selection. SUVs and minivans are about all that'll work there. How about the Subaru Tribeca? I believe it has a 3rd row seating option and fits within that price range...
And sorry to steer the thread off topic.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Remember when life was simple with the 4th gens. All 4runner 4x4s had center diffs. We did not have to make this descision about not using 4x4 dry pavement. I hope toyota enjoys all the money they saved by not making it standard anymore.
Clemsonfan15
New member
...at least they made a 5th Generation. I think we should all be thankful of that.
I think we will definitely see upgrades in the future though. A new engine at least.
Some people rather have the option to choose when to shift into 4wd.
Bearshrimp
New member
I don’t think the Tribeca has a low range transfer case, and it is possibly the ugliest conveyance ever designed by man.
SeattleMike
New member
An SR5 and a dirt road would be enough, but as others have noted... pavement (wet or dry) works as long as you aren't making turns or driving at highway speeds. Or that forest road I pointed out a few posts back.
Another option is an AWD Ford Flex, which seats 7. I gave them a long enough to rule them out on ground clearance alone, but they might work for you.
jreiter
New member
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
You are correct on this. We are a dying breed.
Maritimer
New member
:sobbing:
So, just to get things straight, the 5ths don't all have a center differential? I drive a 3rd, and the only thing I ever worry about is making sure the center differential is never locked on pavement. I try to avoid 4WD LO at highway speeds, too, LOL.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Only the Limiteds have center diffs on the 5th gen.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
I still think the Pontiac Aztec and the Buick version still hold the title but the Subi could be nominated.
The 4th Gen V6 had a multi-mode system. You could drive in 2WD, or fulltime 4WD high, 4WD high locked, 4WD lo, and 4WD lo locked. Best of all worlds.
The 5th Gen SR5 and Trail Edition do not have a center diff. The 5th Gen Limited does.
