18' Limited 4X4 question

Shame on me for not knowing this prior, not that it would have changed my mind, but i didnt realize the Limited is technically an All wheel drive? Or am I wrong, I just bought a new Taco and my wife got a 4 Run Lim, I just finally looked at it yesterday (after 3 months) and was looking at the 4WD selector. Can someome find me a link to how the system works so I know? Like dusting of snow I won't shift into 4X4. Ill keep searching on here, but any help would be great

 

With the limited-- You shouldn't really need 4wd (4H or 4L) on the roads in snow or on ice. The limited kinda works like a subaru or any other AWD vehicle. The rear wheels aren't going to spin in slippery conditions like they would in a SR5 or Off Road (which are rear wheel drive when 4x4 is not engaged).

But the limited still does have the option of actual 4H and 4L like the other 4Runner models (SR5, OR, erc).

That's my basic understanding. It's nice for people that may not know when it's prudent to drive in 2H (rear wheel drive) or 4H (my mom or grandma, for example).

So, you can drive around in scattered slippery conditions without having the worry about taking it out of 4wd to prevent the binding of wheels on dry pavement.

 

Yep. The standard drive mode is full time AWD, and the 4H selector locks the center differential for 4WD. You also still have a two speed transfer case for when it's time to get into 4LO.

 

they pretty much summed it up for you. i got mine last december and it hasnt even seen locked 4wd yet. and yep we had some snow last winter for sure. its really nice in the snow for me and im a leadfoot!! test it a bit before you go nuts with it..

 

Its the wifes, i dont want her testing anything. haha she will be in a ditch in no time

 

It's not AWD it's full time 4WD

Difference being a full time 4wd has a center differential, where the awd system is built into the rear differential.

Respectively, an AWD system will generate power around the likes of 5/95% front/rear to 15/85% front/rear.
Toyota's Full-time 4wd system with center differential will generate anywhere from 30/70 front/rear to 45/55 front/rear. Making it VERY capable on and off road.

On the other hand a PART TIME 4wd system will lock the power to 50/50 front/rear.
Really this type of system is best for deep mud and snow. Where the tires can move freely. This system is not ideal for on-road conditions and tend to break down easier becasue the power is locked to front/rear.

It's a no-brainer imo to get the ful-time 4wd. This is the same system Toyota uses in their land cruisers, and has continued to use for decades.
Having owned a '96 land cruiser, the system is just all-out badass. Will get you anywhere without hesitation of having to put it in 4wd on and off road. 350k+ miles and ZERO issues with full-time 4wd system.

It's a shame Toyota doesn't offer it in any of the trd models

 

That aside, with the limited you can still lock the center diff to generate power 50/50 front/rear if you wanted to.

So to answer you're question, you wife will be fine driving it around as is 99.5% of the time.
The 4Lo and 4Hi will lock the center differential, making the power 50/50 front/rear. Would only use this is deep mud or deep snow.

 

I'd recommend shifting into 4H and 4L just to keep all the parts lubed and moving freely. When unused for months/years, parts can seize up. If it's been months since you've done it, you might hear a good "thump".

You can do this on pavement, so long as you keep the wheel straight. Distance isn't needed. Just get her lined up straight in a parking lot, shift into 4H/4L and drive ahead a couple feet. Reverse a couple feet. Done.

For any distance in 4L, you'd want to be on dirt or gravel for sure.

 

Excellent explanation, thank you so much..

 

gotcha so I can switch into 4H if needed, but 4Low will most likely never be used unless I need to pull a tree stump or something.

 

Correct. I've driven 4x4's for 20 years and have never used 4L. I use 4H a lot (but I don't have the full time 4wd in my Tacoma).

You really gotta be stuck or need the torque to need 4L. Unless you're off-roading (or pulling tree stumps), most people won't have a need for 4L. But it's still good to keep it exercised. This is also suggested in the manual, I think.

A family member had a 2008 4runner. They never put it in 4L for the first 5 years and it siezed. After SEVERAL attempts, we finally got it to engage with a big thump. To be honest, I probably didn't exercise the 4L but once a year in all my Tacoma's. But I used 4H frequently.