Do you consider the manual transfer case of the OR, ORP, and Pro to be a plus or a minus?

I have a lever 11
My wife has a knob 18

 

I came from a Taco 2018 OR with the dial. My 21 ORP seems to get in and out of 4WD more quickly. I don't know why that might be, but I'll take and I like the way the lever feels vs. the knob.

 

It’s not a manual tcase.

 

It is, actually, according to what I found. However, there's still an actuator in the front differential.

 

It’s got front autohubs and the computer won’t let your shift into four-wheel-drive until it’s confirmed that they have in fact locked.

You’re pulling a lever(lol) instead of turning the dial. Same thing.

 

Not really. With the dial, an actuator engages the transfer case and the front differential. With the lever, you engage the transfer case and an actuator engages the front differential.

 

Lever all the way baby!

When I was researching 4th gens (before getting my 5th gen), one of my checklist items, besides terminal rust on frame, was to have a good look around the actuator on the transfer case for leaking oil. I had read enough about the 4th gens to know that some developed leaks. Although it didnt seem to be a common issue, it didnt seem to be rare either. The correct repair procedure requires splitting the case to remove and replace the actuator ($$$) along with whatever else caused the leak.

No thanks if I can help it. In fact, it was the possibility of a leaking actuator that lead me directly to getting a levered 5th gen instead.

My preference is based on my desire to keep this thing a long time with minimal maintanance headache. One less actuator will hopefully help with that.

 

I prefer the lever, I find it very satisfying to use, and I like the old-schoolness of it. My old K10 had a lever (and manual hubs), and my ZJ Grand Cherokee had a lever as well. I also feel that's one less thing to fail.

IMO it doesn't matter if it's a lever or knob, you would still have to explain to someone not familiar with it how/when to use it, so personally I wouldn't just let someone loose in it when they may or may not need to use 4wd. I would be too worried about them leaving it engaged on dry pavement.

IMO the Limited is best for a "let the wife (or gf) take it in bad weather" type vehicle, or a 3rd gen with the multi-mode case with the "4wd" button on the shifter. Why they still don't offer that system is beyond me.

 

My 15 year old Nissan Frontier (I bought new) has the dial. 4wd high doesn't come off as instantly in the Nissan as it does with the lever on my Toyota 4Runner. In my Nissan it's usually necessary to turn the steering wheel left and right to get 4wd to turn off.

With the lever 4wd high comes off pretty instantly.

 

My Trail Premium is a baby TRD and has the manual transfer case shifter. I think it's cool as F*&# and I love having it vs. the dial.
I like driving a machine, vs. a "car."

 

To answer the OPs question - it really doesn't matter.

I like having the lever. With that said, I wouldn't care about a knob in an SR5 either. The SR5 can send it just fine in 98.9% of all situations. Just ask these guys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeFzmdHsCaw

 

Not necessarily true. Only if you don't engage 4WD for long periods and the actuator seizes, or it just seizes. My 04 Tacoma has had zero ADD/actuator complications after 275k miles and around 16 years of use. In many years over in TacomaWorld I can't recall ever seeing an ADD issue. But I may have missed a few.

 

I bought it because of the lever. Just used to the j shifter from my Taco, and it's one less actuator. Ditto on the locker. MTS and CC aren't really a big deal for me though. I do like ATRAC, cool tool.

 

You’re the exception not the rule. And I’ve been on TW for 8ish years and have seen plenty of issues with them.

 

Can’t read all the posts I suppose. I’ll count myself lucky. Glad to see a TW guy here. Been about 8-9 years for me too. Testament to those trucks…

 

I'm a member there as well. I'm actually hosting a Tacomaworld event this weekend (with lots of help!).

I had a lot of fun with the Taco in the 22 months I had it. Even though I had 2 4Runners prior to the Tacoma, it was the Tacoma that inspired me to try some off-road trails. And, I've met some truly awesome people on Tacomaworld and here!

 

Yeah at a ripe 45 and being fairly tech savvy, I tend to shy further away from electronics in general and prefer mechanical things (with vehicles). It’s the simplicity that’s appealing. Getting hard to find these days.

I even despise my smart phone more and more. But I suppose viewing it as a tool and not entertainment or a primary social outlet is best I can hope for.

 

The newer GMC’s have the rotary knob which would break like 99% of the time.

Some of the older/cheaper GM trucks, suburbans, and Tahoe like vehicles would have this lever on the floor which was like really stubby and you literally had to duck below the dash to operate and half the time you did there was this god-awful grinding sound.

 

My mom has a 2014 Yukon with the rotary dial and she would always turn it on when it’s raining into the automatic setting, when I drove it last year I told her that dial isn’t connected to anything and it doesn’t work.

 

I prefer the manual shift lever, even though it is a little clunky. My old Ford Ranger has the dial, and it is easier for moving from 2WD to 4High, but you can also figure it out on the 4Runner. Something nostalgic about it, since there's no stick for this vehicle. I kind of like how the lever vibrates when engaged.

I also have to say that when it is raining hard and I am taking a road with hard curves at speed (like the Taconic Parkway, for any NY'ers), 4High is definitely reassuring for the traction, and I don't feel any binding at all.

 

I'm going to glue a stick on my dial this weekend so I'll have the best of both worlds and be the envy of all my fellow 4Runner friends.

 

Lever here........just one less thing.

 

I like the lever.......but the way it shakes every time I start the car doesn't inspire confidence. I find myself double checking to make sure its still in 2wd a lot.

I much preferred the lever in my old Cherokee XJ, it never shook in place or ever felt like it could fall into 4wd accidentally.

 

The engine/tranny/transfer mounts are rubber (soft mounts) so the vibration is normal.

 

Like @Slopemaster said, the engine and transmission rock back and forth when you start it. The stick vibrates because it is attached directly to the transfer case. The shaking should actually have the opposite effect.

 

I like the way it shakes. Reminds me of the AC/DC song "Whole Lotta Rosie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKlO0hM-zMw

 

Haha! That song rules!

 

Could be

https://youtu.be/8B7xr_EjbzE

 

One interesting thing about the AWD knob-controlled 4th gen is that you have a 4 Lo option without the center locker engaged so you can use it on dry pavement. AWD low gear. Might be useful for somebody. I don’t seriously need 4 lo myself.

 

Hahah yea I understand why it vibrates and that it is normal. I'm just saying if 1980's Chrysler/Jeep could make a lever that doesn't shake every time I hit the gas, surely Toyota could have in 2010.

Also, the lever is almost dead center when in 2wd which also throws me off, quick glances makes it seem as if it's in neutral. Which adds to my paranoia I guess.

Just my observations regarding the lever.