Part Time 4WD question, how dry is “dry pavement”

[M1911]

I still think the Pontiac Aztec and the Buick version still hold the title but the Subi could be nominated.

I'm not sure. The new Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet gives them a run for their money on ugliness, and beats them on pointlessness:

 

[harper7]

: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.

You don't have a center differential in a 3rd SR5. You have part time with a transfer case.

Quote from review of 4Runner 3rd Gens(96-02)"All 4x4s except the Limited used a part-time 4WDemand system. Only Limiteds got Toyota's electronic One-Touch Hi-4 system, with a handy button on the transfer-case lever to shift between 2WD and 4WD High range."

All 4th Gen 4x4's had a Torsen center diff. topping out with the 2009 4Runner Trail Edition having the best factory drive train of any 4Runners with Multi mode ,Torsen center diff. and a rear locker.

Regardless of the part time or full time,IMO Toyota makes arguably the most reliable truck drive trains in the world.

You would probably have to drive the part time on dry pavement for months or even years before you tore something up. Even then it would probably be the tires and the drive shaft differentials that would get loose and go first.I wouldn't try it, but I'm sure somebody has! If I recall, somebody on here drove the first couple of hundred miles on pavement locked in 4H with a part time SR5.

 

[Bearshrimp]

I still think the Pontiac Aztec and the Buick version still hold the title but the Subi could be nominated.

Wow, how could I forget the Aztec. They stopped building them years ago, but I think you can still find them on some dealer's lots. Now that's ugly!

 

[Clemsonfan15]

You don't have a center differential in a 3rd SR5. You have part time with a transfer case.

Quote from review of 4Runner 3rd Gens(96-02)"All 4x4s except the Limited used a part-time 4WDemand system. Only Limiteds got Toyota's electronic One-Touch Hi-4 system, with a handy button on the transfer-case lever to shift between 2WD and 4WD High range."

That's wrong. The newer 3rd Gens do have center differentials. They can be run on pavement all day in 4wd.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The multi-mode tranny was only available on the Limited in '99 and '00 but with the last two years of 3rd gens it could be had on the SR5s too but you lost the 5 speed and rear diff lock in '01.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I usually turn on 4x4 when it's raining and it makes my 10 miles a month even if I don't go off the pavement that month. If there's no rain you always can turn on 4x4 on a relatively straight road just don't use it when you do U-turns and on a parking lot.

I will have the same model 4Runner SR5 Upgrade Package and live in Ontario. I recently came across a writeup regarding part time 4wd not to be angaged in dry pavement for long period.

The main reason why I purchased 4Runner is added traction during the winter months by engaging the 4hi. What's your experience with 4 high so far?

Thanks

 

[scanny]

The main reason why I purchased 4Runner is added traction during the winter months by engaging the 4hi. What's your experience with 4 high so far?
Thanks

So far so good. It took me through few snowstorms, I was pleased with the performance on my ski trip to Vermont, even stock tires appeared to be decent, although I'm going to change them if I find a shop willing to buy my old tires. I turned on 4hi shortly after I crossed Vermont border and turn it off on my way back home a week after.
I was really impressed that during all my driving over snow covered higways, often at high speed, I got VSC beeping just once. I wouldn't mind to have full time 4x4 in winter, but it appears that I can live with part time pretty well.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I turned on 4hi shortly after I crossed Vermont border and turn it off on my way back home a week after.
.

So you left 4hi all the time for a week? I had telephone conversation with one of the staff at the dealership and told me it's OK to engage 4hi during the winter months.

Could not wait to drive my SR5!

Thanks for your input, are you in the GTA area scanny?

 

[scanny]

So you left 4hi all the time for a week? I had telephone conversation with one of the staff at the dealership and told me it's OK to engage 4hi during the winter months.

Could not wait to drive my SR5!

Thanks for your input, are you in the GTA area scanny?

Yes, but at Jay Peak road were all slush or snow covered for whole week. I don't engage 4hi on dry pavement because it's not good for transfer case and I don't really need 4x4 when it's dry. And in 2hi truck feels faster.

Congrats with your purchase, what color did you get?


And yes, I live in GTA, Mississauga to be exact.

 

[M320]

From everthing I have read int the owners man. The not driving in 4wd on hard on dry roads is for full time 4wd runners and only states to make sure the center differential is unlocked. The part time 4wd model only states drive at least 10 miles a month in 4wd to help keep everything lubed up. it does not say any thing about not driving on dry pavement in 4wd.

 

[BradleyB]

From everthing I have read int the owners man. The not driving in 4wd on hard on dry roads is for full time 4wd runners and only states to make sure the center differential is unlocked. The part time 4wd model only states drive at least 10 miles a month in 4wd to help keep everything lubed up. it does not say any thing about not driving on dry pavement in 4wd.

I noticed that absence in the manual regarding part time 4wd, too. But then there's physics and common sense. Without a center diff, with 4wd engaged, you're gonna create a competing moment of force that has to be resolved somewhere (I would guess) between the transfer case and the tires. You choose where.

And, further, if I think about it, I have to ask, what is the difference between driving a Limited with the center diff locked and driving an SR5/TE with 4wd engaged?

Best,
Brad

 

[JB.]

From everthing I have read int the owners man. The not driving in 4wd on hard on dry roads is for full time 4wd runners and only states to make sure the center differential is unlocked. The part time 4wd model only states drive at least 10 miles a month in 4wd to help keep everything lubed up. it does not say any thing about not driving on dry pavement in 4wd.

Check the visor.

 

[M320]

Brad,

That makes perfect sence.

 

[mtbnole]

Yes, but at Jay Peak road were all slush or snow covered for whole week. I don't engage 4hi on dry pavement because it's not good for transfer case and I don't really need 4x4 when it's dry. And in 2hi truck feels faster.

Congrats with your purchase, what color did you get?


And yes, I live in GTA, Mississauga to be exact.

Jay Peak!!! I drove up there from FL in my Xterra last year, hoping to do it next year in the 4runner.

This year was a great year for snow up there I heard.

 

[-JD-]

And, further, if I think about it, I have to ask, what is the difference between driving a Limited with the center diff locked and driving an SR5/TE with 4wd engaged?

As far as I know, nothing really. Just the reduced weight and complication of having one less diff and less electronic system to go wrong. Though not often, people do have issues with these fully electronic systems malfunctioning, not engaging, not disengaging, etc. Some people, like me, actually PREFER to be able to physically shift the transfer case to 4wd. No messing around, less to go wrong, and I know for sure that its engaged...

 

[harper7]

As far as I know, nothing really. Just the reduced weight and complication of having one less diff and less electronic system to go wrong. Though not often, people do have issues with these fully electronic systems malfunctioning, not engaging, not disengaging, etc. Some people, like me, actually PREFER to be able to physically shift the transfer case to 4wd. No messing around, less to go wrong, and I know for sure that its engaged...

Well it has been just the opposite. They have had the the Torsen's in the 4Runners with electronic engaging for the last nine years with very very few issues. Select 4HL on my Limited on the go and it is almost instant where some on here are having a hard time with the PT and have to come to stop to lock in .They have a SB out for the part time systems on the TE's and SR5's and at least 4 or 5 people on here have had problems with diffs replaced.

 

[sandcrawler]

Well it has been just the opposite. They have had the the Torsen's in the 4Runners with electronic engaging for the last nine years with very very few issues. Select 4HL on my Limited on the go and it is almost instant where some on here are having a hard time with the PT and have to come to stop to lock in .They have a SB out for the part time systems on the TE's and SR5's and at least 4 or 5 people on here have had problems with diffs replaced.

what's the Service Bulletin?

 

[chetJ]

does this apply to Limiteds?

Ok, so after reading this thread through, I went back to my owner's manual to see what it says about full time 4WD systems on the Limited models.

While the manual says clearly that driving 10 miles in 4wd every month is required for the SR5 and trail models with the part time 4WD, it does not mention this at all under the full time 4wd model description.

Does this mean that driving 10 miles every month in 4wd ONLY APPLY TO SR5s and TRAILS and not LIMITED models?

Thanks
Dr.J

 

[-JD-]

Well it has been just the opposite. They have had the the Torsen's in the 4Runners with electronic engaging for the last nine years with very very few issues. Select 4HL on my Limited on the go and it is almost instant where some on here are having a hard time with the PT and have to come to stop to lock in .They have a SB out for the part time systems on the TE's and SR5's and at least 4 or 5 people on here have had problems with diffs replaced.

Good to know. I'm actually still waiting to pull the trigger on a 4runner and have been curious about issues people are having so far...

 

[scanny]

Jay Peak!!! I drove up there from FL in my Xterra last year, hoping to do it next year in the 4runner.

This year was a great year for snow up there I heard.

Yes, it was a lot of snow there, we had really good time skiing. And I really enjoyed driving 4Runner in show up there : )