For 2010, the 4-cyl engine is ONLY available with 2WD. If you want 4WD, you'll need to get the V6.
Quasi-official pics of 2010 4Runner
- Thread starter Thai
- Start date
If Toyota was really looking to maximize fuel efficiency for CAFE ratings, they'd have put in a 6-speed automatic transmission. But that is not the point of this version -- it is the stripper model with a low MSRP that dealers can advertise, only stock 1, and upsell the customers into the 6 cylinder.
J.A.
Senior Member
The TE and SR5 will be Part Time ONLY with no ability to run in 4WD with the center diff unlocked, cause there is no true center diff. The Limited will be full time 4WD ONLY, when you switch to 4Lo you will have the center diff locked automatically and not be able to be in 4Lo unlocked.
Stated like fact. Is it?
That would stink. TE would be the only one I would be interested in and I will not buy without the ability to drive around in AWD. It is too useful in intermittent snowy situations, which is probably 1/2 my driving.
This 4runner seems to be poorly thought out.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
It's part of keeping their initial costs down but I think in a year or two AWD will return and Toyota says it's returning the 4Runner to it's roots meaning a little more rugged and with a little less soccer mom image.
You base this on what?
Are you sure about that JA? I think when they say "part time" only they just mean it's like the current 4th gen V6 where you can run in either 2 Hi or 4 Hi (wet or dry), whereas on the current V8 T4R (and GX) it's always in 4 Hi with no ability to switch off the 4WD (i.e, "full time 4WD").
On my old '00 SR5 it's true you weren't supposed to put it in 4 Hi unless you were off-road or in slippery conditions. The Limited trim level starting in '98 I believe had the so-called "multi-mode" that would allow you to run in 4 Hi (without locking the center diff) full time if you wanted even on dry pavement and all T4Rs got the multi-mode starting in '01 I believe.
I can't imagine Toyota would divert back to the '97 Limited/'00 SR5's 4WD technology. Doesn't the 5th gen retain the Torsen center diff?
Thai
Elite Member
x2. I don't believe it. The V6 4wd system is one of the best system IMHO...to take that away is just dumb...and the 4runner 4wd system is one of the main things that differentiate a 4runner from a FJ. If that is the case, then i much rather prefer the 2009 Trail Edition!
J.A.
Senior Member
I've stated the above based on seeing the transfer case shifter(s). There are two only types going to be available.
One is a lever operated unit that is exactly like my 1999 SR5 Highlander. 2H, 4H, Neutral and 4Lo. Same exact pattern too. Thats it, no unlocked 4H.
The other is a dial operated unit which is 4HF, 4HL and 4LL. No ability to run in 4Lo Free (unlocked).
There is also a rear e-locker available as well.
Since the Limited will include standard full time 4WD, I am assuming the other models will be of the part time lever operated type. Perhaps the part time lever type will be for the 4cylinders only, I dont know for sure. Will there be an option to upgrade to full time dial operated 4WD on the SR5 and TE, I personally doubt it. You are paying $4K to get the limited badging you should actually get something that is worth that other than Leather. Now you will get a torsen center diff and well as smart key system, optitron gauges and a bunch of other goodies.
I dont like this my self but I can understand where Toyota is coming from. We shall see for sure on Thursday. Agreed it is a step backward, personally I wont buy a 4R with the part time 4WD system after having both the part time 4WD and the Full time 4WD with torsen center diff. It wont make me switch to another brand as I can just buy a Limited if I needed to, but it does suck that I wouldnt be able to get a TE the way I would want it to be. Also I do believe that for the refreshed mid year 5th gen's they will add the multi-mode feature to the lower models. I wont be in the market for another 4R till at least the mid year refreshed 5th gens anyhow (to replace the 99 when it is around 15 yrs old), so no worries.
One is a lever operated unit that is exactly like my 1999 SR5 Highlander. 2H, 4H, Neutral and 4Lo. Same exact pattern too. Thats it, no unlocked 4H.
The other is a dial operated unit which is 4HF, 4HL and 4LL. No ability to run in 4Lo Free (unlocked).
There is also a rear e-locker available as well.
Since the Limited will include standard full time 4WD, I am assuming the other models will be of the part time lever operated type. Perhaps the part time lever type will be for the 4cylinders only, I dont know for sure. Will there be an option to upgrade to full time dial operated 4WD on the SR5 and TE, I personally doubt it. You are paying $4K to get the limited badging you should actually get something that is worth that other than Leather. Now you will get a torsen center diff and well as smart key system, optitron gauges and a bunch of other goodies.
I dont like this my self but I can understand where Toyota is coming from. We shall see for sure on Thursday. Agreed it is a step backward, personally I wont buy a 4R with the part time 4WD system after having both the part time 4WD and the Full time 4WD with torsen center diff. It wont make me switch to another brand as I can just buy a Limited if I needed to, but it does suck that I wouldnt be able to get a TE the way I would want it to be. Also I do believe that for the refreshed mid year 5th gen's they will add the multi-mode feature to the lower models. I wont be in the market for another 4R till at least the mid year refreshed 5th gens anyhow (to replace the 99 when it is around 15 yrs old), so no worries.
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Thai
Elite Member
Doesn't Toyota put the center diff lock button elsewhere?? On the 3rd gen, the center diff lock button was on the actual shifter. However, on the 4th gen, i believe that the button is somewhere on the dash...to the left of the steering wheel or something? (I think that the 2009 4runner button moved to the center console.)
Is there gonna be a rear locker? I thought that the spec sheet did not show a rear locker.
I'm looking at one of these "build sheets" that somebody posted here this summer, and it shows ATRAC, DAC, HAC, VSC, and multi-mode 4WD as standard with the V-6 4WD. The KDSS, crawl mode, etc are listed as options for TE. The Limited would be full time 4WD. I'm presuming the standard 4WD as listed on the build sheet is like the 4th Gen and not an off-road only part time system.
If they go backwards on the drivetrain, then they've totally miscalculated their market and can plan on building one less since I won't need one. A 4Runner without the current drivetrain would be about as useful as my opinions.
If they go backwards on the drivetrain, then they've totally miscalculated their market and can plan on building one less since I won't need one. A 4Runner without the current drivetrain would be about as useful as my opinions.
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J.A.
Senior Member
Most of the 5th gen buttons are going to be on an overhead console. Regardless there is no center diff lock/unlock button anywhere (shifter/dash/center console/overhead console).
Correct, Rear Locker is not on the spec sheets we have seen thus far....but it will be available. It's button is also overhead.
Correct, Rear Locker is not on the spec sheets we have seen thus far....but it will be available. It's button is also overhead.
Thai
Elite Member
Overhead? How weird!!
J.A., it's very hard to find your 4Runner History website from your signature. The link in your signature leads to your "4Runner Topsites" webpage, but there's no link on that webpage to your "Toyota 4Runner History" webpage. It looks like great and must have been a ton of work. Thanks, it really is "The most extensive and detailed Toyota 4Runner historical archives on the web. Year by Year changes, specifications, information and more..."
http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist52010.html
http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/index.html
http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist52010.html
http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/index.html
J.A.
Senior Member
Perhaps as a result of the newly added knee airbags, idk. But there is a ton of buttons up there as well as multi-terrain select and crawl control knobs.
J.A.
Senior Member
Thanks for the comps, if you goto the main page at www.top4runners.com you will see the various sites I run/maintain. Perhaps I should change my sig.
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