Trail 4WD lever vs. SR5 Knob

[DMNHNTR]

I have a SR5 obviously with the electronic 4WD shift knob. (Had to get the SR5 for the third row). Is the Trail shift lever a true mechanical engagement lever or does it also work electronically just with the real look and feel? If it is mechanical would it be possible to swap them? I do not like the hesitation I get from the electronic knob and would like the positive engagement of the other. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sleeter]

Might be easier to retrofit a third row into a trail instead of trying to switch out the knob for lever. The lever is mechanical as you move it you can feel the potential torque rippling space and time. :der::naughty:

 

[sandcrawler]

I have a SR5 obviously with the electronic 4WD shift knob. (Had to get the SR5 for the third row). Is the Trail shift lever a true mechanical engagement lever or does it also work electronically just with the real look and feel? If it is mechanical would it be possible to swap them? I do not like the hesitation I get from the electronic knob and would like the positive engagement of the other. Thanks in advance.

yeah, the transfer case lever on the Trail (and pre-2014 SR5 also) is mechanical. you're not going to be able to swap that out. sorry.

 

[HNTMUP]

Following this thread because I have an 02 SR5 with a lever and am planning to pick up a 17 SR5P or TP and the mechanical lever is one of the major considerations. My question: from the standpoint of performance is there much practical difference and what situations would having mechanical engagement be important?

Thanks.

 

[FordyceCreek]

Its just more of a reliability factor. In the long term a lever will be more reliable and easier to sort out if something goes wrong. That being said the electric switch systems have gotten much more reliable. I have a 2005 Titan with 185K and its been flawless, and I am sure many here have also had no issues. A lot of the angst comes from the fact that not long at all ago, maybe a decade or so NONE of them worked. GM produced them for 20yrs and not one ever went in 4x4! Guess they figured buyers did not need 4x4. But that has changed.

Either way there are still precautions you take for getting and out of 4x4 and little tricks, but overall the reliability difference at least short term is not considerable anymore.

From a purely non-function stand point I think a lever LOOKS better.

 

[av8ter]

Two completely different T-cases.

 

[Jhalko]

I have a SR5 obviously with the electronic 4WD shift knob. (Had to get the SR5 for the third row). Is the Trail shift lever a true mechanical engagement lever or does it also work electronically just with the real look and feel? If it is mechanical would it be possible to swap them? I do not like the hesitation I get from the electronic knob and would like the positive engagement of the other. Thanks in advance.

Following this thread because I have an 02 SR5 with a lever and am planning to pick up a 17 SR5P or TP and the mechanical lever is one of the major considerations. My question: from the standpoint of performance is there much practical difference and what situations would having mechanical engagement be important?

Thanks.

The guys with the lever will swear how much better it is, and from a cool factor it is. Don't recall seeing one thread where the knob has failed yet...

Below is a a quote from [MENTION=80024]STX4Runner[/MENTION] that sums it up from another thread on this topic:

STX4Runner
The trail edition lever is a direct linkage. It's awesome that 2013 there are still auto makers giving us actual 4x4 levers. It's so much more fun to pull back on that lever when you hit the trail. And IMAO it's cooler looking and cooler when you have friends in the car to use a lever to engage 4x4 rather than a knob that could be for the air conditioning. Other than that, the trail edition and SR5 are the same, as both have ADD (automatic differential disconnect), which is a solenoid that engages a collar on one of the half shafts when you switch to 4x4.

 

[Jhalko]

Two completely different T-cases.

Not sure what you mean by this exactly, but for a more technical explanation folks look here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/197815-transfer-case-differences.html#post2024998

 

[borfoo3]

lever wins for sunglass storage..

realistically, besides aesthetics, doubt it'll matter

 

[sandcrawler]

The guys with the lever will swear how much better it is, and from a cool factor it is. Don't recall seeing one thread where the knob has failed yet...

Below is a a quote from [MENTION=80024]STX4Runner[/MENTION] that sums it up from another thread on this topic:

STX4Runner
The trail edition lever is a direct linkage. It's awesome that 2013 there are still auto makers giving us actual 4x4 levers. It's so much more fun to pull back on that lever when you hit the trail. And IMAO it's cooler looking and cooler when you have friends in the car to use a lever to engage 4x4 rather than a knob that could be for the air conditioning. Other than that, the trail edition and SR5 are the same, as both have ADD (automatic differential disconnect), which is a solenoid that engages a collar on one of the half shafts when you switch to 4x4.

i once read a funny variation on this, expressing the preference for the transfer case lever.

something to the effect of, "i'm putting it in 4WD, not toasting a bagel."

 

[BackOff]

That was one thing I didn't like about these 4th gen runners, the electric 4x4.

I saved myself.. and others in car, 2 different times by quickly reaching down and pulling the 4x lever and punching the gas.
One time sliding off the road shoulder embankment in a '85 toy pickup.
One time going to fast in Old Silver, '92 4runner. Got light in a roller in the road, frozen ground with skiff of snow, started to fishtail...pulled the lever and gassed it for the save.

That said neither had a good trac control sys.
These new runners beep and grumble and keep you going straight, mine does great in 2wd most of the time.
Just have to think ahead more with these.

 

[cheeser]

Its just more of a reliability factor. In the long term a lever will be more reliable and easier to sort out if something goes wrong. That being said the electric switch systems have gotten much more reliable. I have a 2005 Titan with 185K and its been flawless, and I am sure many here have also had no issues. A lot of the angst comes from the fact that not long at all ago, maybe a decade or so NONE of them worked. GM produced them for 20yrs and not one ever went in 4x4! Guess they figured buyers did not need 4x4. But that has changed.

Either way there are still precautions you take for getting and out of 4x4 and little tricks, but overall the reliability difference at least short term is not considerable anymore.

From a purely non-function stand point I think a lever LOOKS better.

I wanted the manual lever as well, but it does seem the electric systems are reliable. I sold my 06 Tundra and it had buttons for both 4x4 high and low....never had a problem.

 

[DMNHNTR]

Thank you all for your feedback. Probably save me from a lot of expense and headache. Guess its just one of those you either really want it or you don't, like the Trail hood. Both work, one just does it with more style. Thanks again.

 

[Snow-Jet-MK5]

Thank you all for your feedback. Probably save me from a lot of expense and headache. Guess its just one of those you either really want it or you don't, like the Trail hood. Both work, one just does it with more style. Thanks again.

I was in the same boat as your my friend. I wanted the trail but the wife wanted the third row. I ended up getting the SR5 with the dial instead of the lever. In the end it's ultimately going to be doing the same thing.

 

[gilpinbrewer]

Remember regardless of whether you have a lever or dial for the transfer case you still have an electric actuator in the front axle, ADD.

 

[RESQLAB]

Ive been using my SR5 system for about a year and its been flawless. I wanted a Trail for the same reason (+KDSS) but could not find a Trail that wasnt located in another state. In the end, I like this "lazy man's" system a lot. I can fly in & out of 4WD so easily and quietly, its no longer an issue.

What I'd really want is manual locking hubs like on my old FJ60's. It would nice to not have the increased tire wear and a touch better MPG... simply not having the additional moving parts on the highway is a real plus in my book.

 

[Knight-Errant]

Is the Trail shift lever a true mechanical engagement lever...

It has already been established that it is mechanical, the only thing I'll add is that it is fun to see the shift lever shake and shimmy when you start up the trail. You can also feel it vibrate every-time you step on the gas pedal.

In an age where manufacturers try hard to isolate occupants from anything mechanical, I appreciate this small reminder that I'm in a complex piece of machinery.

 

[wfo9]

The manual shifter just eliminates one actuator that can fail.

However, it seems like the most common failure is the 4wd tcase position sensor switch. There have been several posts about those failing.... and it is present on both the manual and dial controlled trucks. It is necessary for the 4wd ecu to trigger the ADD.

Plus, as someone else mentioned. Even with the manual t-case lever, you need the ADD actuator to engage before 4wd will function.

I like having the manual shifter, but I don't find myself shifting in and out of 4wd very often. I'm usually one or the other for most of the day. I do shift between 4Lo and 4Hi, but even that seems like it is mostly one or the other.

 

[HNTMUP]

Remember regardless of whether you have a lever or dial for the transfer case you still have an electric actuator in the front axle, ADD.

That's pretty much the bottom line for me. With my 02 SR5 I hit a button and drop into 4WD. I don't do any serious 4WD and don't recall ever needing to drop into 4WL. For me, it's as much a cool factor as a technical capability.

Just so I'm clear: even with the electronic transfer, all I will need to do is push a button to go into 4WH? Also, can I engage on the fly while driving?

 

[BobsTrail]

Remember regardless of whether you have a lever or dial for the transfer case you still have an electric actuator in the front axle, ADD.

:iagree:
There is a delay before the front connects after the lever is pulled. I agree the lever has more cool, but it's still slow to connect, probably the same as those with the knob. I get irritated waiting for the flashing light to go solid when I roll into some crap and want 4wd right away.