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Toyota 4WD systems explained

2487 messages,  Last post on Apr 28, 2012 at 12:48 PM

You are in the Toyota Land Cruiser Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tacoma, Truck, SUV

Messages Page 246 of 250

#2444 of 2487 Re: Replacing Tires Question [kingfans1] by wwest

May 27, 2010 (7:23 am)

Replying to: kingfans1 (May 25, 2010 8:52 pm)
On the other hand should, when, the transaxle in my '01 RX300 finally fails, expected prior to 100k miles, now at 80K, I will be converting the RX to R/awd.
 
The center differential front drive spider gears will be removed and the rear drive spider gears will get welded into place. Eliminating front mechanical drive and SOLIDIFYING the engine drive coupling to the rear. I will also be installing a new VC from the 99-00 RX series so that torque coupling will automatically be coupled to the front upon/with rear wheelspin/slip.
 
So, my preference is quite clearly some sort of R/awd system such as is in my '94 Ford Aerostar. In the absence of R/awd availibility I would always choose RWD, tire chains on board, for travelling on wintertime adverse roadbeds.

#2445 of 2487 surf fishing OBX by beachfish2

May 31, 2010 (10:59 am)

I've been surf fishing the Outer Banks since the early '70s and it's more about knowing how to drive on the beach than it is the vehicle. We started out using rear wheel drive trucks with large nearly bald tires. Tread only aids in digging you into the deep, soft sand when a wheel spins.
 
I haven't taken my '10 HL Limited out yet, but there were a few older ones at Cape Hatteras 3 weeks ago and they were getting around. It's funny having 19" wheels now, after driving an '86 Subaru GL wagon with 13" wheels on the beach for 14 years. It's all about ground clearance and letting enough air out.
 
Take a tire gauge, a shovel, a board and a snatch strap no matter what you drive.

#2446 of 2487 Torsen Center Differential by 2toyotas

Jun 08, 2010 (6:42 pm)

The new Sequoia, land Cruiser, FJ with a stick, and Limited 4runner, all use a torsen center diff that can be used on all surfaces. The Tundra, and tacoma still use a part time transfer case with no center diff. I have a 2006 tundra and it is really good in wet conditions in rear wheel drive. I know what you mean though. I keep saying if they put a full time transfer case in the tundra I would buy a new Crew Max. So I keep waiting and hoping. But yes the Torsen is still being used despite what "SOME PEOPLE" say.

#2447 of 2487 Toyota 4WD in recently models by shangyd

Dec 22, 2010 (11:36 am)

Don't go through all those 2000+ post. Please forgive me if someone asked before.
 
Could some explain what the 4WD/AWD systems are in recently Toyota models? Are they full-time 4WD, full-time AWD, or just part-time/auto AWD? I am specially looking for Sequoia, 4Runner, Highland, and Sienna. The first post of this thread is from 2001 and lots things have been changed. Thanks.

#2448 of 2487 Re: Toyota 4WD in recently models [shangyd] by stateofmaine

Dec 22, 2010 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: shangyd (Dec 22, 2010 11:36 am)
this will help you get started: http://www.majormedia2.com/4WDSimplifiedv5/4WD.html
 
please note that it is dated 1/09, so not all the model information is entirely up to date.

#2449 of 2487 Re: Toyota 4WD in recently models [stateofmaine] by shangyd

Dec 22, 2010 (10:32 pm)

Replying to: stateofmaine (Dec 22, 2010 3:08 pm)
Nice Tutorial. Thanks.
 
did a little search and found the updated version:
http://www.majormedia.com/4WD_Version_7_1/4WD.html
 
4Runner: no multi-mode 4runner. limited would be full-time 4WD. other 4runner would be part-time 4WD.
 
Sienna: on-demand AWD.
 
all bad things for me.

#2450 of 2487 Re: Toyota 4WD in recently models [shangyd] by stateofmaine

Dec 26, 2010 (6:54 am)

Replying to: shangyd (Dec 22, 2010 10:32 pm)
thanks for posting the link to the updated version. sorry it wasn't happy news for you.

#2451 of 2487 Re: Toyota 4WD in recently models [shangyd] by wwest

Dec 26, 2010 (11:41 am)

Replying to: shangyd (Dec 22, 2010 10:32 pm)
The thing to keep in mind, REMEMBER, is that there is NO such thing as a FULL-TIME 4WD or AWD system for, in the manner, for which you wish to make use of one.
 
Yes, the Highlander, for instance, has a FULL-TIME 4WD system, right up until you reach the point of actually needing to make use of 4WD traction capability. At that point, wheelspin/slip, any one wheel or wheels, the HL reverts to it's true nature and becomes a ONE-WHEEL drive system.
 
Absent TC, Traction Control, capability you would now be STUCK...!!
 
But while TC might often be your savior in this situation in many instances it will operate to your detriment. Which is why most F/awd systems have a TC disable switch.
 
So be very careful of any Base FWD vehicle, crosswise mounted engine, that makes claim to having FULL-TIME "4WD" or "AWD" capability/functionality. What they most likely mean is that the "AWD" system is ALWAYS enabled, but only activates REACTIVELY once/after wheelspin/slip is detected.
 
The 2011 Porsche Cayenne, and likely its VW & Audi brotheren, are about the only R/awd systems available that I know of. These can be both pre-emptive and reactive, with SAFETY.
 
Pre-emptive in that like the new Sienna, Vensa, and RX350, they can and will automatically engage the front drive torque under the driving conditions which are most likely to result in loss of drive traction, low speed acceleration. But UNLIKE the Sienna, Vensa, and RX350 they have no need to REDUCE the drive drive torque during tight turns or acclerating turns since it is the rear wheels that provide the primary drive forces.

#2452 of 2487 Re: Toyota 4WD in recently models [wwest] by vavavavolvo

Dec 26, 2010 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Dec 26, 2010 11:41 am)
Good post, WWest. Always enjoyed reading your insights on this awd stuff.
 
Got a question for you: we recently got an accord crosstour with "on demand 4wd". The system works by using a hydraulic circuit to engage the rear wheels when there is a speed differential between front and rear wheels during slip.
 
The issue centers on the use of snow tires on dedicated rims...something we have always done for our cars.
 
In this case, however, we have a tire pressure monitoring system, and making it work with the snows on their own rims involves not only outfitting the rims with sensors, but also "re-registering" the different sets of sensors with the car's computer....something that costs about $70 at the dealer twice a year. Not very attractive.
 
Alternatively, Tirerack says about half of their customers just forget about the sensors with the winter tires and live with the TPMS warning light during the season.
 
Only problem is that in this car when the TPMS warning light is on you cannot disengage traction control. Am I correct that disengaging traction control might be exactly what I would need to do to get myself unstuck in the snow?
 
Thanks!

#2453 of 2487 Re: Toyota 4WD in recently models [wwest] by mdhutton

Dec 26, 2010 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Dec 26, 2010 11:41 am)
OK wwest - I haven't always agreed with your posts, but I've come to respect them. If you owned a 2008 HL Limited 4WD (gas), how would you operate it in Chicago's snow to get the best performance from it? Based on your responses, you would engage the SNOW button and turn TC off. Yes/no?

Messages Page 246 of 250

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