Transfer Case Question

[Martinjmpr]

Anyway Multi-Mode is the best 4wd for every situation and why the hell they discontinued it? Change just for change?

Toyota wake-up!

I agree that multi mode is preferable, all other things being equal, my guess is that the lack of multi-mode in the US is a cost saving measure and the lack of full time 4wd on the SR5 and TE models is an effort to squeeze out a few more MPGs for CAFE purposes. Since Canada doesn't have CAFE, they get full time 4wd in all their models.

 

[Vanuatoo]

I agree that multi mode is preferable, all other things being equal, my guess is that the lack of multi-mode in the US is a cost saving measure and the lack of full time 4wd on the SR5 and TE models is an effort to squeeze out a few more MPGs for CAFE purposes. Since Canada doesn't have CAFE, they get full time 4wd in all their models.

I don't think part-time 4wd is more efficient than multi-mode.
The only difference between them is 4hi mode.
in 4wd mode for part-time 2 diffs are locked together and 2 diffs work all the time.
in 4wd mode for multi-mode (center diff unlocked) front diff is engaged when needed therefore not wasting engine power.

 

[Uneek]

In fact, it was the only factor that led me to get a 4Runner over a Tacoma.

:iagree: and have 2WD Taco and 4WD 4Runner because of it.

 

[PredBlue]

While discussing with someone trying to decide between a 2010 4Runner (and waiting for a few months until ample inventory comes in) or a used 4th Gen, a question came up that I don't have an answer for. Perhaps someone on here who has more knowledge/experience with Toyota part-time 4WD's can answer (since I have only had a 4th gen or Jeep Junkers, I just don't know).

As we know, with the 4th Gen multi-mode 4WD on the V-6's, the manual recommends driving in 4WD for at least 10 miles/month to keep the "front drive lubricated" etc. With the Torsen CD setup, you can get those ten miles under any road conditions---engage and drive.

The question:
1.) With a Toyota part-time 4WD system that the 5th Gen has on the SR5 and TE (and I know several of you have other Toyota's with the same part-time 4WD setup), is there still a 10 mile/month recommendation for the 4WD system?

2.) If there is a similar 10 mile/month requirement, how do you get that 10 miles/month without a Torsen CD unless you can find a ten mile long trail somewhere to drive on?

If somebody could answer the above, I would appreciate it.

 

[J.A.]

While discussing with someone trying to decide between a 2010 4Runner (and waiting for a few months until ample inventory comes in) or a used 4th Gen, a question came up that I don't have an answer for. Perhaps someone on here who has more knowledge/experience with Toyota part-time 4WD's can answer (since I have only had a 4th gen or Jeep Junkers, I just don't know).

As we know, with the 4th Gen multi-mode 4WD on the V-6's, the manual recommends driving in 4WD for at least 10 miles/month to keep the "front drive lubricated" etc. With the Torsen CD setup, you can get those ten miles under any road conditions---engage and drive.

The question:
1.) With a Toyota part-time 4WD system that the 5th Gen has on the SR5 and TE (and I know several of you have other Toyota's with the same part-time 4WD setup), is there still a 10 mile/month recommendation for the 4WD system?

2.) If there is a similar 10 mile/month requirement, how do you get that 10 miles/month without a Torsen CD unless you can find a ten mile long trail somewhere to drive on?

If somebody could answer the above, I would appreciate it.

Answer:
1) Yes, still the requirement
2) no different than any (part time 4wd equipped) 3rd gen, ie: most people are not doing the full 10 miles per month because you arent supposed to use 4WD on dry ground. At a minimum you should actuate the 4WD and try to get a few blocks of straight line 4WD driving in where possible.

 

[PredBlue]

Answer:
1) Yes, still the requirement
2) no different than any (part time 4wd equipped) 3rd gen, ie: most people are not doing the full 10 miles per month because you arent supposed to use 4WD on dry ground. At a minimum you should actuate the 4WD and try to get a few blocks of straight line 4WD driving in where possible.

Thanks for the quick response.:cheers:

 

[sven]

While discussing with someone trying to decide between a 2010 4Runner (and waiting for a few months until ample inventory comes in) or a used 4th Gen, a question came up that I don't have an answer for. Perhaps someone on here who has more knowledge/experience with Toyota part-time 4WD's can answer (since I have only had a 4th gen or Jeep Junkers, I just don't know).

As we know, with the 4th Gen multi-mode 4WD on the V-6's, the manual recommends driving in 4WD for at least 10 miles/month to keep the "front drive lubricated" etc. With the Torsen CD setup, you can get those ten miles under any road conditions---engage and drive.

The question:
1.) With a Toyota part-time 4WD system that the 5th Gen has on the SR5 and TE (and I know several of you have other Toyota's with the same part-time 4WD setup), is there still a 10 mile/month recommendation for the 4WD system?

2.) If there is a similar 10 mile/month requirement, how do you get that 10 miles/month without a Torsen CD unless you can find a ten mile long trail somewhere to drive on?

If somebody could answer the above, I would appreciate it.

I think the 10 mile per month 4WD requirement exists so that the front drive shaft gets lubricated. The front differential and front half shafts get lubricated in 2WD and 4WD. I don't know if you can ignore the 10 mile per month 4WD requirement, and instead just lubricate the front drive shaft with a grease gun and drive a very short distance in a straight line in 4WD.

It's my understanding that on the 4Runner both the 5th Gen part-time 4WD system and the 4th Gen multi-mode system use Toyota's Automatic Disconnecting Differential system ("ADD") for the front differential. On trucks that have ADD, Toyota uses "live hubs" as opposed to manual or automatic hubs. This means that both front half shafts and the front differential spin even in 2WD, but the front drive shaft does not spin in 2WD. Therefore, it seems as if the front differential and both front half shafts get lubricated driving in 2WD or 4WD, while driving in 4WD also lubricates the front drive shaft.

Here is a link to an article that explains the the ADD system and live hubs. It's a little dated since the newer 4Runners use an electric actuator instead of the older style vacuum actuator, but I believe the rest of the ADD system remains unchanged.

http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=399612