Limited H4F vs AWD, and ride quality

The wife and I have settled on a low miles 2024 4Runner or older to avoid the inherently less reliable expectation of the new turbo 4cyl engines. Have heard of people getting 350,000 easily out of 4Runners.

Two main questions…

1) I’ve heard that if you have to replace a tire on a true AWD setup (think non Toyotas) you have to replace all 4 tires or risk damaging your transmission.

In the Limited with the full time 4WD (H4F), does the replace all 4 tires part of the recommended solution to replace one tire? If so, I’ll probably go with a used SR5 and upgrade with Katskins and all new stereo system.

2) The other reason we are looking at the Limited is ride quality. Much less pitch and roll when we drove them side by side. What suspension upgrades would it take to get an SR5 to ride like a Limited?

Not going off road much. I’ve got a Tacoma for that!

 

Yes, all four tires are to be within a certain spec. What you can also do should you need to, is buy a used tire that is identically worn as only the diameter overall matters.

It’s less important on a part-time system but still best practice.

 

Welcome

 

I wonder what the threshold is for the wheel speed sensors to interpret different wheel rotation speeds as wheel spin.

 

If you are wondering as it relates to VSC or traction control, I’d *guess* that the metric is more complex than just wheel speed difference. My guess is that wheel spin detection would involve relative acceleration rate between wheel speeds and other variables. So I doubt a smaller tire probably would trigger VSC or traction control. The reason I think that is that my late great 2006 Sienna had a cheap form of tire pressure monitoring…no pressure sensors, it simply relied on rotational tire speed difference over a set amount of time, then it threw the TPMS light on the dash. (assumption being that a low tire has has a smaller diameter and will spin at a different speed).

As different tire diameters relate to damaging drivetrain components, I don’t think sensors would play a role, since it’s purely a mechanical problem of different “gear ratios” at the wheel, which just leads to constant binding/wind up forces in the drivetrain in the case of 4runner FT 4wd tranfer cases, or burning out viscous transfers in other types of AWD systems.

 

Full time 4wd with a center LSD doesn’t like large differences in wheel speed. It’s a geared LSD but still would make extra heat.

 

I’ve owned many Limiteds and this has never been a concern. Most 4th gen 4WD had a center diff. Now, if you’re concerned, here’s a thought, do a 5 tire rotation as the Limited has a proper spare which includes the same wheel.

I buy Limiteds because I like the highway ride and less pitch and roll as you have observed.

 

Welcome to the forum from North Carolina.

X Reas does provide a excellent highway ride level for this brick of a vehicle, But watch a few videos and keep yourself updated of the possibility of future serviceability costs and issues.

I have it on my Runner and keep an eye on it and assume it will begin leaking once the warranty is finished. Once you know what your future options are, It isnt as bad as the majority make it out to be.

Multiple options that will keep you on the road in the future.

 

I’ve owned two full time 4wd land cruisers and a full time 4wd limited 4 runner. I’ve never once heard of this issue nor has it ever been a problem.

the limited ride quality is really great.. I was a bit suspect of the x-reas suspension but it’s so smooth it’s pretty wild. I’ll probably put in 5100s when it’s time to replace.
Since it’s the only trim with full time 4wd, it’s a no brainer in my mind!

 

I just checked the manual and it doesn't address this concern. Wonder what a Toyota mechanic would say or if they'd be honest about it and just recommend replacing all 4?

 

Replacing four is the “proper, no liability” fix and usually the way if your tires are mostly worn.

With practically new tires, you can throw another tire on no problem.

With moderate wear - the tough question, I’d personally go used tire (matching, including matching tread depth +/- a teeny bit) but it’s not like these things are going to instantly grenade. I’m sure you’d be fine.

Limited’s come with a matching spare so you can just do a five tire rotation and if you get a unrepairable flat, continue with the remaining four happily and decide what to do.

 

What are the odds of finding a replacement tire of the same type and wear?

 

I’m sure it varies, I’ve done it twice online thus far.

Defender LTX M/S in the same size, load range and speed rating and they have tread depth listed, I got a 9/32” and an 8.5/32”. Date codes aren’t listed typically but I got a 2020 and 2023, my original set’s from 2023 as well.

of course, that’s if OP wants an identical tire.

 

I wouldn't let this keep me from getting a Limited, if that's what you want. Especially if you live in a region that gets snow, where full-time 4wd really shines.

As @icebear mentioned, you can do a 5 tire rotation and take the damaged tire out of the rotation if you get a blow-out or irreparable flat.

I also think the need for all 4 tires to have identical wear is a little blown out of proportion. Even if you have a tire that has 1/4" more tread than the other 3, it's only a difference of ~10 revolutions per mile. Actually, half of that at the center diff.

 

I've had my '23 Limited for a little over 2 years now. Had been doing the 5 tire rotation every 5K miles. About 4 months ago got a sudden flat tire on the way to work. A screw punctured the tire right where the tread and sidewall met. Not repairable. At the time of the flat I had ~30K miles on the factory Geolanders. I had the spare tire - which had similar wear as the other tires since I was doing a 5 tire rotation - put in place of the flat and had the new replacement tire mounted as the spare. I'll just do a 4 tire rotation until I have to replace the 4 original tires within the next couple of years - then go back to a 5 tire rotation. I wouldn't have a problem with putting the spare tire on if I got a flat now. The spare now has no wear, and a slightly larger diameter, than the other 4 tires - but I would only be driving on the spare for a short time before either getting the flat tire repaired - or replacing all the original tires. I wouldn't drive a FT 4WD Limited with one tire that is brand new and three that are half way, or more, through their life for an extended period of time. Yes, the difference in tire diameters is slight - but the center diff has to compensate for the difference and over time could lead to abnormal wear. Even if I decide to go with a different tire (maybe Michelin Defenders) in a few years - I could keep the spare Geolander on there to use in a pinch and just go with a 4 tire rotation on the new tires. You would really have to lose two, or more, tires at the same time, or fairly close apart, for the issue with the center diff preferring that all 4 tires be similar diameter to require you to have to replace all/multiple tires at the same time.

 

I criss cross rotate every other rotation in my Limited. I have 240k on my Limited and it's basically full time 4wd with a traction control system and different transfer case. Audi and Subaru have been using it for decades. Toyota has made AWD cars for years, but far and few between until the 15 years. Mine has been very reliable. Not as reliable as older generations, but still I usually don't replace anything until 300k needed or not. I had to rebuild an axle at 240k. I've been 300k+ before repairing anything in the past. It will be your driver's visor, inner passenger tie rod end, driver's door actuator. I haven't replaced inner tie rod yet, no tire wear, but I have it ready. They seemed to have solved the leather driver's seat from tearing around 175-250k though.