V8 Full time 4wd disconnecting front hubs?

[Mafster]

Has this ever been explored? I'm suggesting some sort of mod that would unlock the front hubs like the V6 has? I'm sure it would mess with the VSC, unless it could be modified exactly like the V6 has. I bet it would fix the harmonic issues and free up some mpg for highway driving (at what cost though?!).

 

[KMX3060]

What a great idea

Let me see if I got this right...

I drive 15000 miles a year and with the V8 get 19 MPG so I use roughly 789.5 gallons of gas. At $2.50 per gallon that is $1973.75

If I had the V6 and part time 4WD driving the same miles at 20 MPG I would use 750 gallons of gas and at $2.50 per gallon that would work out to be $1875.

The difference is $98.75

Yup, putting on the hypothetical hubs and making all the other changes as well a giving up the FULL TIME FOUR WHEEL DRIVE traction and control is certainly worth the $98.75:bash:

IMHO

 

[Mafster]

Just imagine for one second how fast a V8 could go through a set of OEM tires in 2wd. It would make stepping up to a new set of Revos a bit easier.
There are some die-hard 4wd types that like being able to disconnect the front hubs and have manual (stronger?) hubsets up front.
If you listen much to the V6 crowd--they all "brag" how much they like being able to select 4wd in their rigs.

 

[Bobby]

If you listen much to the V6 crowd--they all "brag" how much they like being able to select 4wd in their rigs.

Whatever makes them feel better about have 2 less cylinders .

 

[bulldog-yota]

The V8 setup in the front is the strongest you can get i.e. just a shaft going from diff to wheel no disconnect mechanisms that can break, etc, etc.

In all honesty I still believe there is a reason that Toyota didn't make the V8 selectable 2wd/4wd. And I prefer to err on the side of caution. I do not believe in reality it will but you much with the V8. Maybe a tad faster and a tad better on fuel.

 

[Hank]

Ok, I'm not trying to start another V6 vs V8 debate/argument here, but to set the record straight, the 4wd V6 get 21 MPG, not 20mpg. So it's 21mpg vs 19mpg of the V8 (double the $ amount in the calculation). 15k miles a year is a conservative figure, IMO, if the 4R owner uses the 4R as the primary vehicle. I know that a large percentage of people (at least in SoCal) who do at least 20k-25k miles a year due to rising real estate prices. I did about 24k miles on my 4R in 11months and it's my secondary vehicle too (I did over 55k miles last year). I don't know how everyone (almost everyone) seem to think the 4wd V6 gets 20mpg. One last comment, the V8 is SUPERIOR to the V6. I definitely wouldn't mind the '05 V8 (don't get me wrong V6 owners, I love my V6 4R and it has more than enough power 95% of the time), but not everyone needs a V8 for daily driving and for non-towing/non-offroading applications, the same way not everyone needs a Limited, Sport, 4wd, power seats, 3rd row seating, or even a sunroof (no offense to SR5 owners, just want to make a point). Just wanted to clarify the the facts

 

[CVsGX470]

Ok, I'm not trying to start another V6 vs V8 debate/argument here, but to set the record straight, the 4wd V6 get 21 MPG, not 20mpg. So it's 21mpg vs 19mpg of the V8 (double the $ amount in the calculation). 15k miles a year is a conservative figure, IMO, if the 4R owner uses the 4R as the primary vehicle. I know that a large percentage of people (at least in SoCal) who do at least 20k-25k miles a year due to rising real estate prices. I did about 24k miles on my 4R in 11months and it's my secondary vehicle too (I did over 55k miles last year). I don't know how everyone (almost everyone) seem to think the 4wd V6 gets 20mpg. One last comment, the V8 is SUPERIOR to the V6. I definitely wouldn't mind the '05 V8 (don't get me wrong V6 owners, I love my V6 4R and it has more than enough power 95% of the time), but not everyone needs a V8 for daily driving and for non-towing/non-offroading applications, the same way not everyone needs a Limited, Sport, 4wd, power seats, 3rd row seating, or even a sunroof (no offense to SR5 owners, just want to make a point). Just wanted to clarify the the facts

:iagree:

 

[Bluto]

Has this ever been explored? I'm suggesting some sort of mod that would unlock the front hubs like the V6 has? I'm sure it would mess with the VSC, unless it could be modified exactly like the V6 has. I bet it would fix the harmonic issues and free up some mpg for highway driving (at what cost though?!).

Been discussed:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=7478

Toyota's Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD) system:
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/add/

Toyota uses live hubs (always engaged).

Converting to the V6 system (ADD) or replacing the hubs with manual ones would be expensive.

Is the MPG on the 2WD V8 much better?

I like the simple full-time 4WD system better. 3 MPG is not a bid deal to me. I'd save more $$/year drinking cheaper beer.

 

[Mafster]

That was the thread I was looking for! Guess my search ability sucks eggs. Interesting theory though.
Thanks!

 

[kglueck]

Re: Re: V8 Full time 4wd disconnecting front hubs?

Is the MPG on the 2WD V8 much better?

I notice a (roughly) 1 mpg difference between my 04 v8 4wd and the records of my 03 v8 2wd...