Is the all wheel drive system on Limited as reliable as 4L 4H 2H system?

I'm recommending a 4Runner to a friend. is the AWD system on Limited bulletproof?
Thanks

 

Yes

 

Thanks for the quick reply.
Next question:
How does it work?
Is there a transfer case with sensors for wheel slip and it shifts electronically or is all wheels driven like Subaru and Audi?

Thanks again.

 

It’s the same setup Land Cruisers have used for a long time.

it’s a mechanical torsion center differ with 2 speeds thats lockable.

 

There is H4 open center (H4F) and H4 locked center diff and it's an electronic actuator. The system is apparently the same as other trims, with the knob and eactuator being different, and other trims simply have a locked center diff.

I don't know exactly I have a 2wd but I enjoy talking to limited drivers in the preschool parking lot. I hope you get your quick answers.

 

Thanks again.
Doesn't get any better than Land Cruiser

 

Well, this is more or less land cruiser prado. I think it would be accurate to say it's the same style as in land cruiser, but it's a different transmission I am pretty sure . . .

Its 4wd with a lockable center differential. You might have traction control brake a wheel but 4wd behavior only change by the nob.

 

It’s good. The transfer case is full time 4wd with a mechanical limited slip center diff that’s a 60/40 split. You lock it for part time 4wd and it has low range.

 

Don’t confuse AWD with the LE/Land Cruiser Full Time 4WD. Although these sound like they the same thing, they are in fact completely different systems and have nothing in common but similar sounding names.

FT4WD does not rely on sensors to detect wheels slipping. It relies on a differential in the transfer case to ‘differentiate’ between the front drive shaft and the rear drive shaft.

As mentioned, the differential is a Torsen Limited Slip Differential. That is the secret sauce making it the best of any 4WD system available.

Bullet proof? Yes, but like anything else, mind the maintenance schedule.

Cheers
Mike

 

Thanks Mike and everyone else

 

No. It is not rated to any NIJ level for ballistic protection. Your friend should get an upgraded armor package which offers greater protection than the stock tinfoil diaper on the bottom of the casing.

The full-time 4WD system is a bit more reliable than the part-time 4WD system on other 4Runner trims, by eliminating the front axle disconnect (ADD) actuator, which likes to take in water, rust, and seize.

 

LOL!

 

Allow me a nerdy point of semantic clarification: the part- time 4wd trims do not have a center differential at all.

The center differential is a mechanical feature that allows a transfer case to be “full-time” by allowing “differentialing” (lol) of the front and rear driveshafts.

The part time system doesn’t have a center diff, so when it’s in 4wd all tires spin at the same speed no matter what (good for traction in loose terrain, but the binding stresses on dry roads are bad).

The locking feature of the center diff on Limiteds, lets you lock all 4 together lockstep for moments you need the traction that the part-time system has.

The limited slip center diff of the Limited is more mechanically complex, but I think it’s gentler on everything because it’s not really experiencing any binding during off road use. Maybe the frequent binding stress off road is partly to blame for my transfer case failure I experienced on my part-time system at 50k miles.

 

I’m sure you meant to say when the part-time 4WD is in 4WD the front and rear prop shafts spin at the same speed. Because naturally the open front and rear differentials allow the wheels to spin at different speeds. I mean, since we’re in nerd mode.

 

Lol, You’re right, I must have meant to say exactly that.

 

So which models have a rear locking diff? Does the SR5 premium have one. Is it better to have a locking diff or is not better.

 

@Tino

Offroad and Pro trims have locking rear differentials.

It's better to have a locking rear differential when you need one.

 

The Torsen T-3 center diff (planetary type) and the A750F transmission used in the 5th gen 4Runner Limited were also formerly used in the Land Cruiser Prado, Land Cruiser 100 series, and the Lexus GX/LX - although I think this exact combination of center diff/transmission is only used in the 4Runner Limited currently. It's tried and true - works pretty damn good. I'm surprised that Toyota only offers the FT 4WD system on the Limited trim - its probably the best 4WD system for how most owners use their 4Runner.

 

Off-Road and Pro have rear lockers. SR5 is just 2-speed transfer case with open diffs.

Theoretically, rear-locker would be a better option for hard off-roading since the rear diff is fully locked in 4L.

 

What I wanted to know and I am sorry I didn't mention it is which one will have more binding issues as far as the drivetrain. I only bought this because of the snow since we are in the NE. I don't see us driving off road except if we have to drive up a gravel driveway when visiting someone. I might do light off-roading if there is a dirt or gravel road that I would have to travel to get to my destination and snow but that's about it.

 

The Limited would be the winner in the non-binding category, due to it being designed to run full-time 4WD 24/7 on pavement or off. Unless, of course, you buy the 2WD Limited...

 

Honestly, I would recommend a top trim Highlander with AWD more and just put snow tires in the winter for what you described here.

 

The SR5 that you have does not have the locker. I assume you bought it with the 4wd option? If so, the SR5 trim has selectable, part-time 4wd. It will cause binding forces on the drivetrain on dry roads if you turn. So, once you are past any snowy or slippery conditions, you should put it back to into 2wd.

The part-time 4wd system also has 4lo, which is just a low gear ratio that you would use whenever you need reduction, which is probably not frequently on paved or gravel roads.

Even though you might not need to engage 4wd hi or 4wd lo very frequently, you should still engage it regularly to keep the mechanical system and electric actuators in working condition. The manual saya about 10 miles every month, but just activating it a few times for a mile or two (on straight roads) is good. It’s the actuators that are prone to malfunctions with disuse.

 

Tino - for your described use of your 4Runner - the Limited FT 4WD system would be perfect. Full time 4WD (H4F-High 4 Free), no binding on high traction surfaces, can lock the center differential if wanting equal power to all wheels (H4L - High 4 Locked - would have some binding on dry pavement like that), and can go into lower range gears (L4L - Low 4 Locked). Plus ATRAC if you really get hung up. I find full time 4WD in H4F (High 4 Free) ideal for driving in snowy conditions where you might frequently go from snow/ice covered surfaces to cleared pavement - plenty of traction where you need it/no binding where you don't. For simply driving on snowy roads - the FT 4WD system is probably overkill. My wife drives a Honda CR-V with AWD and she does just fine in the snow. However, I wanted the FT 4WD for deep snow and occasional off road use. Not off-roading in the sense of deliberately trying to drive over boulders or through mud bogs - but driving on rough/steep dirt/gravel roads to get to trailheads, points of interest, etc... We do a lot of biking and hiking. I had a 2010 Tacoma with PT 4WD that I drove for over 12 years before I got the 4Runner - and the 4WD (in lieu of AWD) has come in handy many times. Plus, I just like the feeling of having a vehicle that I could drive about anywhere I would want to go.

 

Totally legit recommendation. I, no doubt, could probably get by with a Highlander based on where I take my 4Runner. BUT - like the looks of the 4Runner better, wanted the 1GR-FE/A750F engine/tranny combo before it is no longer available, and wanted the higher ground clearance, more truck like suspension, and robustness of body on frame construction (admittedly wanted probably more than needed - but what the hell, life is short and I can afford it!). I think the 4WD 4Runner (stock) has less than 2" more ground clearance than the AWD Highlander - but I wanted that extra 1.6", or whatever it is. Was in Colorado about 5 months ago. We drove up some pretty rutted out dirt/gravel roads to get to some hiking trailheads. Saw several cars and small SUVs bottoming out badly on these access roads. 4Runners, Tacomas, Jeeps, other 4WD vehicles - I think even a Subaru Outback were doing just fine - so maybe a Highlander would have done OK - but was glad to have the clearance and suspension of the 4Runner.

 

So in my Limited, I didn't drain and fill a transfer case, it's a differential?
Can someone explain to me like I am 5, the difference between a center differential and a transfer case in this case?

 

Transfer case splits the output from the gearbox into separate drives for the front and rear wheels - 4WD 4Runner transfer cases have both high and low range gearing. The center diff allows the front and rear wheels to have different rotation speeds. The center diff is inside the transfer case.

 

Thank you for the explanation.

 

I have an SR5 Premium and by what I understand it doesn't have a locking rear differential. So I am going to re-phrase my question. Which one is less prone to binding. The off roads and Pro models with the locking rear or the sr5 premium without the locking rear diff. I am not worried about driving it because I am getting an idea more or less from the info here. The only regret is not getting a limited since my wife might make a mistake and not drive it the proper way when it's in 4H mode. I am guessing that the one without the locking rear diff would have less problems am I correct? if not please chime in.

 

The locking rear is user controlled, not automatic so technically there is no bind from the rear locker unless you push the button and you have to be in low range for you to be able to engage it.

She needs a Highlander AWD or Rav4 AWD.