Thoughts and questions on the v6 awd setup
- Thread starter stiles_s
- Start date
Reliability is a non-issue IMO.
I like the option of switchable 2wd due to the change in handling. From my experience, the V6 in 2wd mode turns in better, with lighter and more agile steering. Once in 4wd mode, the friction and binding of the 4wd system tend to dull handling a bit.
I like the option of switchable 2wd due to the change in handling. From my experience, the V6 in 2wd mode turns in better, with lighter and more agile steering. Once in 4wd mode, the friction and binding of the 4wd system tend to dull handling a bit.
ToolmanJohn
New member
Chiming in
Binding while driving in 4WD????? I read it and have to chime in. Correct me PLEASE if I am wrong, but the front AND rear differentials on the 4th gen 4runner (4WD versions) are open.
Since the center differential is a Torsen type 3, how does the 4WD system "bind"??? You would have to lock the center differential manually (with the console button), in order to experience binding while in 4WD in a turn.
I still hear people saying "part-time system".... BOTH the full time AWD V8 and the 4WD V6 have a system which may be run 100% full time on any surface, in fact the V8 owners have no choice, so the system must be designed well enough or we would be reading all about failures of the system.
AS it happens, I never read any posts about failed 4WD systems. Not a single post in over a year. I turned on the "part-time" 4WD in December when the first storm hit. I turned it of in late March. I didn't experience any "binding". I did experience better cornering, no rear wheel slip, and improved handling in the snow and wet roads.
As I understand it, both the V8 and V6 have identical 4WD systems except for the V8 being unable to turn of the system. So Toyota added a disconnect in the V6. Where's the added complexity fit into reliability picture? Where are the failures? Even over on Yotatech, no one complains about 4WD failure.
The most common problems have been squeaks, rattles, moonroof glitches, seat problems (certain models), and stinky exhaust. If you can live with those, I wouldn't worry about the drivetrain.
Binding while driving in 4WD????? I read it and have to chime in. Correct me PLEASE if I am wrong, but the front AND rear differentials on the 4th gen 4runner (4WD versions) are open.
Since the center differential is a Torsen type 3, how does the 4WD system "bind"??? You would have to lock the center differential manually (with the console button), in order to experience binding while in 4WD in a turn.
I still hear people saying "part-time system".... BOTH the full time AWD V8 and the 4WD V6 have a system which may be run 100% full time on any surface, in fact the V8 owners have no choice, so the system must be designed well enough or we would be reading all about failures of the system.
AS it happens, I never read any posts about failed 4WD systems. Not a single post in over a year. I turned on the "part-time" 4WD in December when the first storm hit. I turned it of in late March. I didn't experience any "binding". I did experience better cornering, no rear wheel slip, and improved handling in the snow and wet roads.
As I understand it, both the V8 and V6 have identical 4WD systems except for the V8 being unable to turn of the system. So Toyota added a disconnect in the V6. Where's the added complexity fit into reliability picture? Where are the failures? Even over on Yotatech, no one complains about 4WD failure.
The most common problems have been squeaks, rattles, moonroof glitches, seat problems (certain models), and stinky exhaust. If you can live with those, I wouldn't worry about the drivetrain.
bulldog-yota
New member
Re: Chiming in
The reason the V6 feels less responsive on a dry road when in 4WD, is that torque is transfered to the front wheels and it creates a natural understeer of 4WD vs RWD. No binding or friction.
In the older Toyotas people removed the ADD in the front when they did extreme suspension modifications, some still use it in modified 3rd Gens. So far this does not seem to be an issue with the 4th Gen. Some guys are running lifted 4th Gens with bigger tires in offroad conditions and no failure of the ADD system. As far as I know the V6 disconnects the front drive shaft in the transfer case and a side shaft on the front diff when in 2WD.
SO unless you are planning some xtreme mods to your 4Runner, I woudln't worry about the drivetrain on either model.
:iagree:ToolmanJohn said:
The reason the V6 feels less responsive on a dry road when in 4WD, is that torque is transfered to the front wheels and it creates a natural understeer of 4WD vs RWD. No binding or friction.
In the older Toyotas people removed the ADD in the front when they did extreme suspension modifications, some still use it in modified 3rd Gens. So far this does not seem to be an issue with the 4th Gen. Some guys are running lifted 4th Gens with bigger tires in offroad conditions and no failure of the ADD system. As far as I know the V6 disconnects the front drive shaft in the transfer case and a side shaft on the front diff when in 2WD.
SO unless you are planning some xtreme mods to your 4Runner, I woudln't worry about the drivetrain on either model.
I meant "binding" in a different context. Not implying a locked diff or anything. It is simply the added friction from even the open diff that is felt when manuevering the vehicle at speed. If any of you have had the opportunity to push the car through a tight course...the difference between 2wd and 4wd is quite evident. I luckily had the opportunity during the GM Autoshow in Motion.
MicaBlue03
Member
Driving feel, V6 driveline disconnects
Some interesting explanations of the different driving feel in 2WD and 4WD modes. This helps explain the things I've felt (when switching between modes) but not understood. Thanks.
For the V6 in 2WD mode, the driveline is disconnected at 2 points. One is the transfer case and the other is a vacuum-operated slide joint on the front axle, just to the right of the front differential. I think there are sensors on both disconnections, for verification.
Diagrams are in the repair manuals, but (at least for the 2003s) I could never find diagrams for the torsen center differential. What's up with that?
Some interesting explanations of the different driving feel in 2WD and 4WD modes. This helps explain the things I've felt (when switching between modes) but not understood. Thanks.
For the V6 in 2WD mode, the driveline is disconnected at 2 points. One is the transfer case and the other is a vacuum-operated slide joint on the front axle, just to the right of the front differential. I think there are sensors on both disconnections, for verification.
Diagrams are in the repair manuals, but (at least for the 2003s) I could never find diagrams for the torsen center differential. What's up with that?
ADD scheme.
The ADD system keeps almost the entire front drive train running all the time.
It is disconnected from the driver side wheel, and in the transfer case.
Down side of the scheme is constant wear on all those parts. Poorer mileage due to spinning all that hardware all the time.
Of course, ease of going to 4 wheel drive is nice.
Manual locking hubs can be installed, while leaving the rest of the system the same.
Older 4runners do bind front to back in 4WD on dry pavement. But later ones can have a transfer case that eliminates it.
The ADD system keeps almost the entire front drive train running all the time.
It is disconnected from the driver side wheel, and in the transfer case.
Down side of the scheme is constant wear on all those parts. Poorer mileage due to spinning all that hardware all the time.
Of course, ease of going to 4 wheel drive is nice.
Manual locking hubs can be installed, while leaving the rest of the system the same.
Older 4runners do bind front to back in 4WD on dry pavement. But later ones can have a transfer case that eliminates it.
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Even Steven
Guest
Boaz said:From my experience the 4WD engaged made a big difference in my MPG. My case might be extreme, but it will at least drop more than .5 MPG. Now I guess you can factor in that I was driving in snow, letting the 4R warm up in the morning doing doughnuts.... etc
Everytime I engage that 4wd for any long amount of time, the fuel comsuption goes up.
I would be willing to bet that a AWD v-6 would get worse MPG than the V-8.
My experience has been just the opposite. I'm not big on checking my gas mileage, but I did track it for a little while just to see if running in full-time 4wd made any real difference. My results were 0.8 less MPG running full-time 4wd as compared to running in 2wd mode.
If you did your test in the winter, your results may have been affected by the reformulated winter gas.
