SeattleMike
New member
I'm gonna guess an '04 with the original battery.
question about part-time 4WD on Trail Edition
- Thread starter Fareastplaza
- Start date
Obviously not. I wish Toyota kept the same set-up for the 5th gen. I'll probably move to another manufacturer when it comes time to replace my 4Runner.
No, but the 5th gen Limited can. The 5th gen Limited is set up much like the 4th gen V8 models, with fulltime 4wd that can't be turned off. The 4th gen V6 models have a fulltime 4wd transfer case that can be turned off. IMO, it's the best set-up to have.
I wish I still had my original battery. It did last a long time, I have to admit.
I agree
Saturday we had long stretches of dry pavement but every now and again the road had big drifts of snow across the road. Every one of those drifts was deep and rutted - I hit one in my 4th Gen and boy was I happy I had FT 4WD - it slithered a bit but the 4wd pulled it through. (Interestingly nothing beeped etc - wondering if my yaw sensor needs recalibrating after work done on the steering shaft?). I would have had a good chance of being in the ditch with RWD.
By the way - a Limited 5th Gen in Canada requires you to decide which organ to sell before making the purchase - they have a crazy premium on them compared to US pricing.
By the way - a Limited 5th Gen in Canada requires you to decide which organ to sell before making the purchase - they have a crazy premium on them compared to US pricing.
JB.
New member
Pretty much true, but drive train and tire wear increase on pavement and handling suffers on slick so many people like a system where all that can be forgotten about.
Clemsonfan15
New member
Thai
Elite Member
I believe that it varies depending on cornering, acceleration, etc. from 50/50, to 30/70 to 40/60 or something like that....
Clemsonfan15
New member
So in conditions when true 4wd is necessary you would still have to lock the center differential in a full time system, which would make it the same as the part time system. So it really is no benefit to have the full time system.
JB.
New member
Tire wear is increased on pavement. On slick, when turning, typically a front tires skids a little reducing overall grip.
Yes, 60/40 rear/front unless traction difference is encounterd, then can go to 71/29 or 47/53 but allows rotational differentiation between front/rear driveshafts to allow all wheels to track independently through turns.
harper7
Senior Member
Just the same as their is no benefit to power steering unless you turning.
Or power brakes unless your stopping.Man managed to drive the first 50 years without them until technology came up with something better. They went to part time 4x4 because it's cheaper, not better.
The Torsen is always there working full time in case you encounter slick or slippery road conditions and gets traction to all 4 wheels.
I notice it especially when we have slick roads when it first starts raining, after it hasn't rained in awhile, and the oil in the road comes to the surface. With rear wheel drive it's hard to get traction like from a stop sign/light or making a turn from a stop sign and the back wants to kick out.You know when you have to really feather the gas.
With the Torsen I can feel it adjusting to get more traction and no problems with traction at all.This winter with all the snow and ice I never even had to lock the 4 wheel in.
Thai
Elite Member
How much is peace of mind worth to you? Although newer cars have VSC to help with highway situations, it is always nice to know that your car has more tires actively working for you at any given time. In cold weather for example recently here in Texas, the highway and off-ramps can ice up at anytime in certain spots. Do you leave it in 4-HI (in part time system) in the off and on ramps (where it curves onto or off the highway)?? This is where having the full-time system is helpful. VSC is reactive...while full-time system is proactive in a sort of way.
JB.
New member
True, but somewhat hypothetical since those situations are rare on road. Most people with full-time 4WD would rarely if ever need to do anything but just drive.......which is pretty much the point of FT4WD.
I think this is where you're missing the point. Forget about locking the center differential for a moment and think about how a Torsen (torqen sensing) differential works. The beauty of the Torsen center diff is that is can respond to changing road condtions, anything from total grip to zero grip or inbetween. So you can engage the system and be sure that the Torsen (along with help from ATRAC) will send power to the wheels with grip. This is true no matter what road surface you're on and you can use it on dry pavement or any road surface. That's the benefit in a nutshell.
The other day I make a right turn on red up a fairly steep hill and there was a bunch of slushy snow that I had to drive through as I was making the turn. I had totally forgotten that I had put my 4Runner into 2wd mode because I was greasing the driveshafts the night before and wanted to be able to spin the front driveshaft by hand. Anyway, I forgot to put it back into 4HI and didn't realize it until I made the turn into the slush. Sure, I got through it after a few seconds, but this is the type of thing I wouldn't normally even think about because my 4Runner normally stays in 4HI throughout the winter months. Just another example of the benefits of having a center differential.
Got home tonight and the oil delivery truck had torn deep ruts in the melting ice/snow on our driveway which then set solid. Reversing into my spot, the rears started losing traction so I locked the centre diff and voila! The point is, the times you want to lock the centre diff are rare and when you do its unlikely to be a split second decision with a potential accident about to happen. I would rather have FT and the option to lock than PT any day - I have to admit I didn't properly understand the 4th Gen 4WD system on the v6 or I would have been tempted - FT 4wd or 2wd switchable is the best of both worlds - surprised the Ltd does not offer it in the 5th Gen.
Thai
Elite Member
Actually, Torsen is fairly useless when one end has zero traction...this is a weakness of Torsen differentials. It works well in between, as you stated. This is why, when off-roading, it is a good thing to lock the center diff. If one axle sinks in mud, then you will be stuck unless you lock the center diff.
I am amazed at the traction that my TE gets in 2wd. Maybe it's the all terrain tires I have on it, maybe it's the traction control, but my TE does not have the rear end kick out you mention. It is the best traction of a rwd vehicle that I have ever owned. I admit I was shocked that it performed so well in 2wd.
Everyone's opinions in this thread are already set, nothing going to change anything there. The important thing is that you have the system you want.
Agree 100%. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the only time I have gotten stuck in the snow was with a full time 4wd with a Torsen differential.
Everyone's opinions in this thread are already set, nothing going to change anything there. The important thing is that you have the system you want.
Agree 100%. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the only time I have gotten stuck in the snow was with a full time 4wd with a Torsen differential.
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