why is it that V8 4runners don't offer part time 4WD?

[RXvedub]

I am going to say it's a power issue and fuel economy (since they go hand in hand in stop and go conditions.

4WD demands more torque to get the vehicle moving hence having the multimode 2wd option option. unless it had a design similar Infiniti's and BMW AWD in the G35 and 3 series, where under 25mph 90-100% power is to the rear wheels then the ration changes above that mph.

I remember whatching a little tutorial on Infiniti's or Bmw's site on this. It was a couple years ago.

 

[JB.]

The discussion in <a href="http://www.toyota-4runner.org/newreply.php?s=&action=newreply&postid=149845" target="_blank">this</a> <br /> thread got me to thinking more about why full-time 4WD is bundled with the V8 as a premium priced luxury.

A lot of people complain about the situation of being stuck in two wheel drive with neither wheel getting much traction and then the engine throttles back (VSC) and they're just sitting there. Without a button to turn off VSC, the solution in 2WD is rather inelegant - put it in 4WD and lock the center diff. Not the kind of situation many Lexus SUV owners are likely to take kindly to. In 4WD the situation is much less likely to occur in the first place and the solution is just one move which, since it occurs very seldom anyway, is kind of satisfying - "so I locked up the 'ol center diff and she plowed right out of there".

So the full-time 4WD setup mimics the Lexus whose typical owner would never put up with the 2WD situation above.

 

[M3_962]

there seems to be a small bit of misunderstanding in some of the posts...there is no difference that I can tell between the V8 and the V6 in 4wd, in terms of the way the system works — it's not the typical 4x4 system without a center diff. I do use the 4wd on the highway when it's rainy, especially because the 4Runner seems to get moved around a lot by crosswind.

I bought a V6 because I do care somewhat about gas mileage, and I don't need a V8. I think the 2wd mode in the V6 is a bonus. If I wanted a V8 I wouldn't care about the fact that it doesn't do 2wd. I also just like the design of the V6.

Maybe it's just easier to fit the drivetrain in there without a switchable transfer case, or maybe it saves weight. That the V6 is lighter is also a plus, and would be another reason not to add even more weight for the V8 (especially when a lot of people probably don't care if it's fulltime 4wd or not).

 

[Koz]

I personally think the reason is/was to keep the weight down. The V8 is heavier then the V6 as it is, if the V8 had the 2wd option it would weigh even more.

Koz