Questions from Potential Colorado Newbie

[telockey]

I say potential newbie because I have not purchased a 4runner yet and have a few questions before I do so. A family member has an older V8 4runner and she has no complaints.

Can someone explain the 4wheel drive system to me - I am new to toyota but not offroading. My present truck has limited slip rear and an open front diff. I hate it. After some research, i'm leaning toward the trail edition based on the electronic rear locker but how does the front lock up if at all?

Question 2 - can you fancy up a trail edition with those found in the limited - i.e., leather power heated seats?

Question 3 - are the 4wheel drive systems on the 4runner the same on the tacoma and/or tundra?

Thanks!

 

[Qjake]

Welcome to T4R!

Take a look here for some info on the different 4WD systems

You can also go here to build your own 4Runner.

Good luck with your new purchase :thumb3:

 

[telockey]

Thanks Qjake!

That tutorial was pretty neat. Now I too can sell toyotas! I tried to build the 4Runner I want, but as I found before, it just does not exist - at least in my zip code. I would like a trail with the interior of a limited. I'm not sure if that's possible since there are no trails offered in my area... must have been a hot seller.

 

[Mr. Banks]

Re:

I currently have a 4th Gen 2005 V8 Sport. Back in 2008, 2009 you could special factory order a 4runner and pretty much hit everything you wanted, IE leather in a Sport Edition, and so on. They still offer "build your own" however it doesn't allow you much custom options like leather in a Trail Edition, (the new name for a Sport Edition) Now just because it is like that on the internet does not mean the Dealership won't offer you whatever makes the sale. You don't need leather seats in order to enjoy heated seats. I had the heated seats installed on my 2005 Sport. I would much rather have cloth heated seats and not burn my ass in the summer. I personally hate all the chrome bling on the Limited, but I do like the transmission it comes with. I wish the Trail came with that option. So you see I'm torn between the two models as well. I really don't require the crawl control in the Trail. It feels like 4WD for dummies. This is my opinion only.

I can't answer your question if the 4WD system is the same in the Tundra or Tacoma. I honestly don't know and don't wish to spread bad info. The Trail did become the hard to get model. For a while the dealers were saying Good Luck finding one. They were right. The difference is pretty big between the two, Limited and Trail. One is all time, and the other has 4WD for dummies. Big driving difference. Drive them and feel it out. If it is the Trail, then request leather and the other goodies be installed. If you pick the Limited, ehh well there's two guys here that removed all the chrome and turned their Limited into Trails by changing out the front end bumper assembly.

 

[terra4r]

Mr. Banks just about got it all.

Ltd model has full time 4wd with the torsen center diff with locking capabilities similar to the 4th gen 4wd models. It can adjust, like an AWD, say 30/70 distribution split, but can lock the center for 50/50.

The trail and sr5 have 50/50 locked 4wd, with only the trail having the rear locker. Fronts are open on all models but have the a-trac which will act like a limited slip for all 4 wheels. Do a youtube search on a-trac to see how it works. some may argue it just about eliminates the need for a locker, but hard core off roaders still prefer one. I'm guessing the center torsen was not included in the trail or sr5 in order to keep costs relatively the same as the 4th gen.

No leather on the trails from the factory, but may be a non-factory dealer installed option.

Taco and tundra I believe are part time 50/50 4wd to keep costs down.