Questions about 4x4 before I purchase

1. Can I drive in 4x4 indefinitely?

2. If i do run in 4x4 mode indefinitely, will it wear down the internals faster ie transmission, transfer case, Diff?

3. Does switching from 4x2 to 4x4 all the time wear down the mechanical parts?

4. Is it safer just to keep it in 4x4 mode?

Last question:

Is it better to get the Off Road Package or the Sport Package for the snow?

oh yeah on "last question":

Is the ABS really as bad as I keep hearing?

I rode in my friends Tacoma the other day. He said that he has never felt the ABS kick in. Not even in the rain.

 

Go buy a subaru or something. 4x4 is bad on everything especially on dry pavement.

Not to be a dick but are u serious?

 

yeah am serious Never had a 4x4. Well as to regard to the question between a sport and a off road. Just wondering if they handle different in the snow because the Off Road has the rear locker. Dont know if that makes a difference and also

Pardon my ignorance, never owned a 4x4

 

1) Yes if you are indefinitely in a slippy/low traction condition. Dry roads or good traction = Bad for 4x4.
2) Not appreciably...A little more wear- but not that much.
3) Not appreciably...They are made to be switched. Follow the guidelines and you'll be fine.
4) Not always...You can damage your drivetrain using it in dry, normal traction situations.

The Locker in the Offroad isn't really helpful for snow. Both now come with an Auto-LSD. So the Sport technically- but the Offroad has the auto AND the locker.
Kind of a wash for a choice.

I haven't had any ABS issues-I also haven't played with much snow.

 

only use 4x4 when driving in snow, mud, gravel, dirt, or extreme off roading...NEVER use 4wd on dry pavement....maybe you would be better off buying an AWD vehicle...then it's always on and you don't have to worry about it

 

4x4 and/or AWD isn't an amazing magic pill that makes you an awesome driver- 4 wheel drive becomes 4 wheel sliding into guardrails just as often as 2wd if you don't know what you are doing.

 

oh okay so there is a big difference between 4x4 and awd. So a subaru for instance is AWD and made to be driven that way indefinitely and 4x4 is made for those special situations.

Correct?

Thanks everyone for answering my questions with out judging!

<----- is how i feel right about now.....

 

For snow, get the TRD Sport with limited slip. Lockers are great for heavy off road use, but they can be squirly on snow and ice.

 

I just like to go snowboarding in the winter, so that's why i am purchasing a 4x4. Maybe the occasional off road trip.

Not looking to be a great driver through 4x4. I just want to be safe while driving under adverse conditions, such as snow.

Planning on running snow tires too during the winter trips.

 

Jscrub sorry for being harsh! Wasn't triing to be mean thought u were joking!!!

 

Thanks Dorifuto and Krookz for the links!

 

Don't worry about it gww0517! its a forum goes with the territory.

Although tacomaworld is a lot better than the ones I seen!

everyone here is usually eager to answer questions and spread good information from what i've seen

 

LSD comes standard now, the Sport just adds some convenience features.

Yes, but note that AWD and 4x4 are not equal in performance, either. AWD is for street use mainly, 4x4 is for offroad. Trying to get them to do the other one's job doesn't work. I suggest doing some googling about the differences between 4x4 systems (there's something like 4 or 5 major different types in existence from what I remember)

PreRunner has optional locker
Offroad edition (and its derivatives) has a locker standard
4x4 Sport does not have a locker option

There's further differences in VSC, TRAC, ATRAC, DAC, and HAC as well.

Correct (and excellent description), though the truck uses TRAC when in 2WD/4HI. Systems can also be disabled or engaged using combinations of the 4x4 mode you are in, the VSC button, ATRAC button, etc. I personally think it's hugely confusing... but that stuff didn't come out until the year after my truck, so I don't deal with it.

 

I love it here. Addicted!!!

 

So dirt roads for the 10 miles of 4wd a month that the manual states?

 

Basically, but I've also heard it's not really a big deal on modern diffs these days. It's just a CYA clause that Toyota threw in.

For me, I consider it a hard and fast rule that I must schedule monthly fun

 

can be done on pavement...just don't turn sharply.

 

I wouldn't. From a link on the first page: