5th Gen 4Runner maintance

It’s fine. It will take many full lock circles on a prepped drag strip to start causing any kind of damage. Generally as long as the terrain is loose, you’re fine. I thought we all bought Toyotas because they were reliable and tough?

 

KC - we're practically neighbors. I'm in Columbia, MO. My oldest son lives in Parkville - we'll be up there this Saturday. Yeah, the snow conditions you describe are dead on for Columbia as well. Same reason I opted for the Limited. My 2010 4WD Tacoma was great in the snow - but it was a minor PITA to keep switching back and forth between 2HI and 4HI when constantly going from snow covered pavement to cleared pavement. I don't do any intentional off-roading - certainly nothing that would really require 4WD. Occasionally some dirt/gravel roads to get to biking/hiking trailheads - but nothing crazy. I wanted the 4WD drive primarily for the snow and decided the full time 4WD Limited fit my needs/wants perfectly.

 

I think this is right on. In my Tacoma, I could tell when I had bound up the drivetrain some. Sometimes when driving on streets that are partially covered with snow it is unavoidable to not be in 4HI on dry pavement. Did it many times. I could always tell when I had done this - because when switching from 4HI back to 2HI you could hear/feel a "clunk". If I had been driving totally on snow - and then switched from 4Hi back to 2HI it would be much smoother and you usually wouldn't hear/feel it - you'd just see the 4WD light go out. So, occasionally driving/making a few turns on dry pavement while in 4WD is not a problem. Did it many times over the 13 years I drove that Tacoma - and the 4WD in that Tacoma worked as good as the day I bought it when I gave it to my son. Having said that though - you definitely don't want to be doing donuts on dry pavement while in 4HI/4LO.

 

I try to relieve the stress from the drivetrain when shifting in and out of 4wd so on straights I let off the throttle some and turns will try to turn the opposite direction. Of course that's not always possible.

I have many boosted 4wd launches on the street and on the strip without issues. The fastest TRD supercharged Tacoma was launching in 4wd without issues either and he would shift out of 4wd under full power mid pass.

 

Classic Meefs

 

Without a doubt the Toyota 4WD systems are very robust. I'd guess that a large percentage of issues with shifting into/out of 4WD are probably from lack of use rather than too much use. I think you are correct - and you would really have to abuse one of these 4WD systems to really damage it.

 

Auto 4WD. First time I’ve heard that term. What is it and how does it work?

 

All-wheel drive maybe? Those are fully automatic systems in the sense that you don’t do anything at all for them to work, like the typical Highlander. But then it’s going to function in a different manner that wont let it do 4runnery things off road.

If want to do 4runner things and want automatically working 4wd, then the Limited is as automatic as it’s going to get.

 

AWD. That was my first thought as to what he meant. But the idea that a manufacturer choosing 4WD instead of AWD could be considered a “fail” is a hard concept for me to rap my head around. If anything it’s the reverse. No? I mean, one of the primary reasons for choosing a 4Runner is that it has real 4WD. (No offense meant to our 4Runner brethren that choose RWD models.)

 

You guys misunderstand the intent of the post you are commenting about. He's hacking on people that don't want to learn how to properly use their 4WD systems.

 

ohhhh… It was sarcasm? It went right over my head lol.

 

I missed the sarcasm too.

 

The thought that in some situations/conditions the full time 4WD system is superior to the part time 4WD system eats you alive - doesn't it?

 

Now wait. Was that sarcasm? I must be wearing my asperger hat today.

Full time 4WD is superior to part time 4WD.

 

Take a look at the posts just prior to the "pearls of wisdom" that you guys were responding to. You'll see what the dude was getting at. Someone might actually prefer to not have to constantly switch back and forth between 4WD and 2WD if conditions require it? "What the hell is wrong with them? They should get a part time 4WD vehicle and just deal with it like a man". Seen this story before.

 

Ford and Chevy models with this are using a clutch to engage part time 4wd when the rear wheels slip. It's not constant like AWD or full time 4wd. Honda's VTM-4 works the same way but the clutch is at the rear diff since it's predominantly FWD.

 

I've often said the fulltime is superior for the majority of owners, especially in inclement weather.

The comment you quoted was in regards to the fact that so many owners seem mystified at the workings on a part time system, and Toyotas recommendation to "exercise" it.

Toyota USED to have a great 4wd system, the "multimode" in the 3rd gens was awesome, it could be operated like a fulltime AND part-time.

 

Agreed. Don't know why for 4Runners Toyota only offers it in the Limited?

 

This is what I meant.

Just push the "auto 4wd" button and it does the work for you. GM has been offering this since the early '00s.

It's not meant for off-roading, but practical in inclement weather.

A lot of reviewers of the new Sequoia and Tundra were disappointed that this was not included, as most of the competition has it.

 

When I first bought my 4runner, I thought all 4runner trims had a center differential. And I could have sworn all 4th gens were full-time systems as well ( that was not the case).

I was somewhat disappointed for a little bit, but then got over it, thinking to myself that the part time system was more “robust”. That may or not be the case, given that my transfer case shat parts out the bottom at 50k for unknown reasons. But at the very least, we can say the part-time system is functional, simple, and tractor-like. And it’s “as simple as changing a tire” if the transfer case were ever to go out lol.

 

I really would have liked my ORP to have full-time 4WD since we typically have 2-3 days per week of snowfall in five months of the year. However, most of the time I prefer not to be out on the roads with the knuckleheads under those conditions. Plus, I held onto my Outback at least until I relocate, so it can go out and play bumper cars if necessary.

 

Part time 4wd, AWD, Full time 4wd, or GM’s auto 4wd are different schemes to send power to all the wheels. There are more variations, and variations within these variations. I guess it’s fair to say that a “standard” or “typical” four wheel drive system doesn’t really exist. Also probably fair to say that there isn’t a “best” four wheel drive system.

Toyota part time 4wheel drive system is as simple as it gets for a road-able vehicle. It’s simple to operate (although it needs to be operated). It’s been the same design for a long time in various vehicles, which by itself becomes an advantage.

It’s also a design that is simple to understand from a repair perspective

 

Then my sincere (and I really mean that) apologies from misinterpreting your comment. Based on the timing of the comment I thought it was a dig at the conversation I was having with another member relative to how much better the full time 4WD system works in conditions where you are constantly going from snow covered pavement to cleared pavement, and back. I've been in a few of these threads where if anyone says anything positive about a Limited - numerous negative comments are sure to follow. If that experience biased me to interpret your comment that was also - I again apologize.

I'm not familiar with the multimode system. You are saying you can operate it in 2WD, and full time 4WD? I assume it had a lockable center diff? Question though, if there is no significant negative to operating in full time 4WD vs. 2WD - why have a 2WD option? I don't think there is a significant difference in fuel economy between a Limited w/ FT 4WD and other 4Runners with PT 4WD. The published MPG numbers are the same - and I regularly exceed the published numbers - although I could see those with PT 4WD 4Rrunners exceeding the published numbers even more than me - but not significantly more. There's also the issue with tire wear for FT 4WD systems - needing to rotate the spare in and having to replace all the tires if one is damaged beyond repair once there is any significant tread wear. But, I would think there would be the same issue of needing tires of the same diameter if you had a system that would allow 2WD and FT 4WD - no? Are there other benefits to being able to drive in 2WD instead of FT 4WD that I am missing? I know that the FT 4WD system has been available in Toyota Land Cruisers for a while also.

 

I think it's because Toyota wants the traction systems to come into play here. They do work well as I've had Auto LSD get me out of a snow bank when 4wd did not engage because I was already stuck.

 

This is probably thread drift - but after re-reading my previous post I guess my real question is: Why isn't FT 4WD available on the more off-road oriented 4Runner trims? If you had a FT 4WD system with lockable center diff, lockable rear diff, and perhaps even lockable front diff - wouldn't that be the shit? I know it is more weight and perhaps a very slight reduction in fuel economy - but the serious off-roaders are putting on larger wheels/tires and a shit-ton of armor - so a slight, nearly insignificant, reduction in fuel economy would seem to be acceptable. Would complexity/robustness of a 4WD system like this be a concern? The FT 4WD system used in Limiteds now has been used in 4Runner Limiteds and Land Cruisers for years - its pretty reliable/durable - or is it just understood that the PT 4WD system is more robust?

 

I think it's due to cost and it being more of a "luxury" item which is why the GX is standard full time 4wd. The 4th gen Runner V6 had full time 4wd and 2wd while the V8 was full time 4wd.

 

Hey @sympley76
I believe manual says engage 4WD once a month for 10 min/miles (16kms) driving relatively straight, and can do long sweeping turns. 4HI should keep everything lubed and such, no need for 4LO necessarily. Keep it under 50mph.

Here are some great links I've educated myself with. Will my wife listen to me and retain this info, that's a rhetorical question ↓

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IoAXoECBEQAg&usg=AOvVaw1umLZOmW5W9GswHikSoRgN
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IoAnoECBEQAw&usg=AOvVaw2bCeOqtQr11Z4IABYRc96H
https://www.4runners.com/threads/what-would-be-damage-when-doing-a-u-turn-on-4wd.30343/#post-429401
https://www.4runners.com/threads/4x4-driving-question.28678/#post-401421

 

From the big perspective, the Toyota full-time system is better in terms of capability and usage flexibility. The tire size issue you mentioned I guess could be a problem, or at least it’s fair to say a tire of sligthly different circumference isn’t going to bother a part-time system, as long as that tire is in the front, and it’s in 2wd.

Another “maybe” drawback to full time 4wd, is that if it really hits the fan out in the middle of nowhere, and you break an axle or driveshaft, you might be able to limp to civilization with only the rear driven. That would require doing some work in the field, like removing driveshafts or CV axles first. Then again, maybe you could do something similar with a full time transfer case?

 

Thanks for the replies. We were thinking about the limited but the difference in price was about 5k and we were already over budget with this one. I also thought that a part time 4 wheel drive system would be better since it would just be used to get out of situations where we were stuck in the snow. The mazda that I have is good except that the transfer case was always turning even in the summer. I'm sure you all heard about the nightmares with the transfer case on the first gen cx-9's . It's a miracle that mine is still working somewhat even with a leak.

 

OK - that is something I didn't think off - but makes a lot of sense. Yes, I suppose if you were out in the middle of nowhere in a FT 4WD - and you totally shredded your center diff - you're camping. I can see with the PT 4WD system there are major parts like you mention, that you could break, but you could (if you had the right tools and knowhow) fix it so you could at least get out of there. I'm guessing that in the case of off-roading - potentially in the middle of nowhere - a less complicated, fewer moving parts 4WD system would be more desirable. Especially since, if you are intentionally off-roading/looking for gnarly trails to tackle, you would not be using the FT 4WD with the center diff unlocked anyway.