Question for 4wd Limited Owners

[MinecraftGriefer]

The 4runner limited has a full time 4wd system, how reliable is it? Because I read that a full time 4wd system has more wear and tear compared to a part time 4wd system.

Also are running boards that you get as a accessory for the limited for $599 the same as the black ones that come standards on the SR5 and Trail models? Or are they are big shiny ones with the chrome inserts?

Finally I've never seen Limited on dealer lots with mudflaps, are the mudflaps worth getting?

Thanks!

 

[perkdog258]

The 4runner limited has a full time 4wd system, how reliable is it? Because I read that a full time 4wd system has more wear and tear compared to a part time 4wd system.

Also are running boards that you get as a accessory for the limited for $599 the same as the black ones that come standards on the SR5 and Trail models? Or are they are big shiny ones with the chrome inserts?

Finally I've never seen Limited on dealer lots with mudflaps, are the mudflaps worth getting?

Thanks!

I have 2011 LE and have over 60k and I have never had issues with the drive train. I had a sensor get wet and in a hub once and the dealer dried it off never had a problem since. Now I do not off road so not sure if that makes a difference for you.

The running boards are really more a personal pref would be my opinion. I am not a fan of them because with the bottom trim piece on the LE there is not a big step when getting out of the 4runner. This is a problem for my 10 year old. Now not a huge one but it is a minor issue. If I could afford a nerf bar setup that comes further out I would.

The mud flaps are not a factory option as far as I know. I got the Huskey ones and installed them myself. They very straight forward and can be done in about 10 min in the driveway.

 

[phillyd2]

It's the gold standard not just here but around the world.

 

[Jetboy]

The awd system will last as long as you own it. It's been in Land Cruisers for 30 years. Very well proven. It does wear out tires faster, and will cost you a little mpg.

 

[JayceeP]

30,000 miles no issues.

Ionic CXV running boards look nice.

Husky mud guards are great. Your door panels and wheel well trim will thank you.

 

[m85476585]

The 4WD system in the 5th gen Limited is basically the same as in the 4th gen 4runners, but with some improvements. The rear differential is bigger and stronger (all 5th gen models, vs. 4th gens). Since there is no 2WD mode on the Limited there's no Automatic Differential Disconnect (ADD) in the front to fail, and that could make it slightly more reliable than other trim levels. The electronic actuator on the transfer case is basically the same as on part-time electronically actuated ones. Those fail on 4th gens sometimes, but hopefully they've improved the design over the years. A manual lever would be slightly better. Finally, the center differential is a Torsen limited slip differential, so there is no friction material to wear out.

For a 4WD 4runner in 2WD or 4WD mode there is about the same wear on all the wheel bearings and CV joints. The only thing that doesn't get as much wear in 2WD mode is the center differential, where one half is electronically disconnected, and the front driveshaft, which is disconnected at the transfer case.

For a 4WD Limited 4runner, since the center is limited slip there is hardly any more wear on the tires than there would be in 2WD since the front and rear axles can turn at different speeds as needed when you are cornering.

 

[KVA]

102K miles, no issues.

 

[RedMagik]

Had over 75k+ on our old Limited with no issues.

 

[JB.]

.. It does wear out tires faster...

Trying to figure out how driving all 4 wheels without a locked center connection will wear tires faster. They wear differently, but only in a positive direction. IF there was enough difference to matter, I'd expect it to be in the opposite direction.

 

[Bilbo]

The 4runner limited has a full time 4wd system, how reliable is it? Because I read that a full time 4wd system has more wear and tear compared to a part time 4wd system.

Also are running boards that you get as a accessory for the limited for $599 the same as the black ones that come standards on the SR5 and Trail models? Or are they are big shiny ones with the chrome inserts?

Finally I've never seen Limited on dealer lots with mudflaps, are the mudflaps worth getting?

Thanks!

I've never seen a report of a failed Torsen center diff. I don't think it is a concern. Some worry about the long-term reliability of the X-REAS suspension, but that's a different issue.

The only Toyota option for the LE are the automatic running boards. Fixed running boards for the LE would be a dealer or sales district option, so what you get may vary.

Yes, there is a 2WD LE model.

Toyota deems the mud flaps as "incompatible" with the automatic running boards, so does not put them on. However, some owners report that the flaps are easy to install if you shift the boards an inch or two to the rear -- an easy home task. If the wheel spray starts to be annoying, you can always add them later.

 

[m85476585]

Trying to figure out how driving all 4 wheels without a locked center connection will wear tires faster. They wear differently, but only in a positive direction. IF there was enough difference to matter, I'd expect it to be in the opposite direction.

4WD Unlocked could possibly wear tires a little faster than a part time system in 2WD since there is some power going to the front wheels all the time. But it should wear them significantly slower than a part time system in 4WD with the center locked.

 

[Jetboy]

Trying to figure out how driving all 4 wheels without a locked center connection will wear tires faster. They wear differently, but only in a positive direction. IF there was enough difference to matter, I'd expect it to be in the opposite direction.

I think it's a combination of drivetrain friction, differences in ideal alignment specs and how that effects tire scrub in turns and going straight, and the torsen torque split is always causing some additional resistance. In a perfect world where we didn't have a drivetrain with friction, it might be about the same. With awd it's not a perfect balance and transfer of energy all the time. And the friction causes some unwanted side effects - like heavy steering and increase in tire wear. A good example of this is a full steering lock turn in an awd vs a part time in 2wd. It would be pretty apparent side by side that the awd has significantly greater resistance to tight turns than a 2wd model.

 

[LandCruiser]

Full time 4x4 sucks, that's why Toyota has been putting it on their Land Cruisers.

 

[chickhien]

same complaint I have about the limited running boards about not offering much of a step (wife is 6 months preggers) and it makes me nervous when she gets in and out unless im helping her. and yes it has the huge chrome on it but i put about 5 coatings of plasti dip over it and it looks great. the oem mudflaps dont fit so i had to make my own holes where it attaches to the rocker panel...wish i had done more research bc i believe other aftermarket mudflaps fit the pre-drilled holes.

 

[JB.]

I think it's a combination of drivetrain friction, differences in ideal alignment specs and how that effects tire scrub in turns and going straight, and the torsen torque split is always causing some additional resistance. In a perfect world where we didn't have a drivetrain with friction, it might be about the same. With awd it's not a perfect balance and transfer of energy all the time. And the friction causes some unwanted side effects - like heavy steering and increase in tire wear. A good example of this is a full steering lock turn in an awd vs a part time in 2wd. It would be pretty apparent side by side that the awd has significantly greater resistance to tight turns than a 2wd model.

Plausible, but could be offset by, say, more efficient acceleration wear.

In any event, I don't think anyone considering a Limited would be served by thinking tire wear is a meaningful decision factor. It's more noise than signal, imo.

 

[Jhalko]

Also are running boards that you get as a accessory for the limited for $599 the same as the black ones that come standards on the SR5 and Trail models? Or are they are big shiny ones with the chrome inserts?

Finally I've never seen Limited on dealer lots with mudflaps, are the mudflaps worth getting?

Thanks!

The shiny steps are pretty narrow and don't serve very well as a step if you have big feet, not to mention how far down they hang.

I added mudflaps after the fact, fit great (although my fronts are not stock) and seem to cut down on mud and road grime, don't do anything for dust on gravel roads.

 

[Jetboy]

Plausible, but could be offset by, say, more efficient acceleration wear.

In any event, I don't think anyone considering a Limited would be served by thinking tire wear is a meaningful decision factor. It's more noise than signal, imo.

Shorter tire lifespan is just part of the deal with awd. Much like the mpg you lose. It's really the heavy steering feel that is of more concern to most people.

There's no "best" system. Just different. If awd were a free option, I'd still take part time. It's not worth the mpg difference to me. For someone else, it might be well worth it.

 

[MinecraftGriefer]

Great! What about the leather? Are they good quality? Will they crack and tear after awhile? I really like the redwood leather, looks so good!

 

[NoDak]

as you can see in my sig, I ordered my LE with the factory running boards (R6 / chrome insert) with factory mudflaps (MF).

had no issues except for the amount of foothold you can actually get on them.

then again I bought them for winter protection than practical use.

I wanted lower rocker panel protection from snow/ice during driving to work since winter is roughly 6-8 months here.

 

[m85476585]

Shorter tire lifespan is just part of the deal with awd. Much like the mpg you lose. It's really the heavy steering feel that is of more concern to most people.

There's no "best" system. Just different. If awd were a free option, I'd still take part time. It's not worth the mpg difference to me. For someone else, it might be well worth it.

Most of the MPG difference comes from the extra weight of 4WD/AWD parts, which is about 300lbs extra, so even if you can switch to 2WD you won't save much. The Limited also adds about 125lbs of power seats and stuff over the SR5.

I read an extensive number of posts on the 4th gen section, and concluded there is almost no measurable difference in MPG whether you are in 2WD or 4WD. Most people claim it's about 1MPG, but only a few people actually had what sounded like valid data, and that suggested less than 1MPG loss if you switch from 2WD to 4WD.

The EPA numbers show 1MPG difference for 2WD vs 4WD, but again that is mostly because of the weight difference not the extra friction.

Yes, fulltime 4WD will use a little more fuel than a part time system that you can leave in 2WD all the time, but it's not enough to matter.