New to SR5 part time 4wd

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We were all excited to bring home our first 4runner - 2017 SR5 Premium, and now we are freaking a little about the part time 4wd. We have a 3 day return law in Oregon, so we need to know if we made a mistake. I am fine with 2WD option but we are moving back to Alaska. With 6-8 months of ice roads are we going to kill this transmission using 4Hi most of the time??? We did not want to spend the extra 10K for the models that had AWD full time!

Did we make a mistake? Will we destroy the transmission driving on hard pack ice in 4HI most of the winter?

Thanks!!!

 

Hard pack ice may only require 2wd, depending on circumstances and quality of tires.

But the short answer to your question is "no".

It'll be fine.

 

AWD ≠ 4WD
Like the post above, if you don't need to use, then stay in 2WD. What is gonna make the most difference and impact is a set of good winter tires.
In my area they rarely plow the snow and my current truck has no issues 2WD in the snow.
Hard packed ice will probably not bind it because it will still be slippery, however, I would use it on clear snow/ice more than I would on sanded ice or hard ice.

 

Basically, as I understand it, as long as it's a slippery surface that allows the tires to slip a bit on turns and not cause binding you should not have any problem. As others have said, on dry paved surfaces just leave it in 2WD. When you get into anything slippery switch to 4H and you're good to go. The post above mentioning winter tires is very good advice. You might not need 4H as much as you think. Good luck and enjoy your 4Runner.

 

You can switch in and out of 4-wheel high on the fly, so it makes it easy as needed.

 

Well you can always do a track system mod. I mean you did buy a 4Runner and part of the initiation is getting upside down financially for the first year or so by doing unnecessary mods.

 

Get a set of good winter tires and 2wd will be fine for most of the time.

 

basically 2wd winter tire>>>4wd all-season tire
part-time 4wd is totally good