How durable?

I remember from time to time we see posts about the 4wd system on our 4Runners. Some question why we 'exercise' the transfer case, using 4 low as opposed to 4 high etc. In Wisconsin we had about 4 ins. of snow where we're at, and the roads were snow covered and slick, so my wife decides to drive in 4 high, she said she felt comfy going 45mph, got to work, came home, and the next day roads still crappy, so 4high, 45-50mph, went to work, but this time the roads cleared up during the day and we're not slick anymore. So after work my wife had a bunch of errands to run and did so. Not that it was 'good' for the 4wd system, but she ran about 25 miles in 4high, when she actually noticed it and shifted to 2wd. When getting to slippery back roads shifting to 4 high again. After backing into the garage, put it 2wd and said it seems like it always did. I believe that is a small test of durability. (2020 ORP) BTW, we 'exercise' our transfer case occasionally.

 

Exercising it is all about keeping the seals of the bearings from hardening in a fixed position.

 

How would it switch from 4H to 2wd? When its in 4wd its in 4wd and wont switch? She broke it. lol

I would say a majority of 4Runner owners rarely put it in 4wd and it seems to not be an issue. I try to do it every 4 months or so and so far so good.

 

On dry pavement you'll notice binding very quickly in sharp turns (like backing into a parking spot). Gentler turns are fine.

Out of all the trucks and SUVs in my off-road club, only one had a transfer case malfunction (stretched chain). It's a 2nd gen Tacoma with high miles on 37" tires that also does some snowplowing as a side gig. The VF2x transfer case is decently robust, which is why a derivative variant continues to be used in next year's 4Runner, 465 lb-ft of torque and all.

 

It’s a good, strong system. I would often torque brake my supercharged Tacoma in 4wd without ever having issues. It’s basically the same system in the Runner with the exception of mine being a manual case but that’s the only difference.

https://youtu.be/kolLHEFxioo?si=bEXMf9VMVp896hRE

 

Sherpa is racing a VF2 manual case. They're pretty beefy.

 

It switched to 2WD when she shifted it from 4WD.. that's the shifter lever in an OR, she did NOT break it, it worked flawlessly when we went in our woods and fields where we needed 4WD. Good to go! I would say a majority of 4Runner owners USE 4WD, unless they live in a paved area that has timely snow removal, we do not live in that area. Most times, like you said 2WD is adequate, anyway, Toyota has a 'tough' system, that's what the post was about... thank you.

 

Snow plowing is a "controlled beating!" Back and forth, lift the plow, drop the plow. No damage done in our case, it worked flawlessly on our exploration of our property.

 

I would just be careful in cornering on dry pavement.

 

Yes, very good point. Back in the day I trashed a U-joint on my old Chevy. Different system, but same binding effect.