Tacoma vs 4Runner 4wd

I'm hoping someone can clarify this for me. I have a 14 Tacoma and my brother has a new to him 08 4Runner. I was explaining to him how to use the 4wd, as I thought it was just like my Tacoma. But after a little online research, some of the 4runners have some different types/options than the Tacomas. His 08 does have a knob with 2hi, 4hi, and 4lo. I haven't checked but he thinks it might have a button or two that my Tacoma doesn't have (maybe a diff lock?).

So, is his 4hi actually an AWD? But then you can lock the diff with the button to for true 4hi?

I don't know if I'm even asking the right question. And I had difficulty understanding all the jargon in my research. Can anyone explain this to me? And how his 4wd '08 differs from my '14 Tacoma?

 

The 4Runner has active 4WD while our Tacomas has part time 4WD. Put simply active 4WD drive has computers controlling it so it can sense the terrain it is being driven on and will enter 4WD mode as needed.

With part time 4WD the driver must manually enter 4WD and turn it off.


By your description though sounds just like a part-time system on a full time 4WD there is no 2Hi mode.

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/abc1.html


http://rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/difference_4WD_awd.html


2008 is 4th gen 4Runner it has part time just like the Tacoma so its the same. His Runner might have Atrac. But the operation of a 4th gen Runner and a 2nd Gen Taco is the same. Don't use 4WD on dry hardtop unless you love binding. Difference is the 4runner has a center locker and a Taco can have a rear locker.

5th Gen 4Runners have active 4WD.

 

Gotcha. Thanks, much. I do know about the binding, but wondered if not locking the center diff prevented that. And thought maybe that was the difference.

I've been reading online for the last couple of hours but still wasn't absolutely certain as to how it all works in the runner. A tremendous help to have you confirm all of this for me. I think we're on track here now.

Another question... I don't have a locker on my SR5. What advantage is there to my bro with a center locker vs rear? I haven't looked at your links yet... Maybe I'll find it in there.

 

Center locker locks all wheels. Rear locker locks the rear wheels.

So, a center locker would lock all 4 wheels so they spin the same. No slippage on any tire.

Rear locker just locks the rear 2. They spin at the same rate.

 

As Rock Lobster mentioned, the center locker takes you from open center diff (AWD) to regular part time 4wd, where power distribution is 50/50 front to rear. It does not lock 'all the wheels', left and right wheels can still turn independently on each axle. A rear locker in a Tacoma is already operating in 4wd and locks the rear axle so the left and right wheels turn at the same speed eliminating slip, so they are no longer independent.

The advantage to the center locker is you can run AWD on the pavement in conditions not bad enough for 4wd, which cannot turn on the pavement unless there is sufficient ice/snow.

 

When I read the 4Runner has a center lock function to lock front and rear I was sold.. Then I read a little more

 

Negative

 

That would be nice if it were true lol

 

Heck yeah lol Bad ass

 

So, Is this suggesting that he can put it in 4hi and not have to be concerned about binding until he engages the center lock?

 

My 2014 limited 4Runner is AWD with a locking center diff. It also had 4lo and ATRAC, But I traded it in for a trail.

 

Awesome, thanks. This is what I needed to know.

And the Tacoma.... We can't drive in 4wd on dry because we have no center diff affecting the front end. Is that an accurate statement?

Or another way to put that- out front tires both rotate at the same rpm when 4wd is engaged, causing the binding when turning on a dry surface. Also an accurate statement?

The vids wher helpful. Thanks.

 

So you're saying all 4 tires on my SR5 are forced to rotate at the same rpm when in 4wd?

I thought the binding was more from a Left/Right side difference as opposed to front/rear.

 

If this is anno

Now we're cooking with gas, as my grandpa would have said. So, I've been way off on this one. I thought it was the rotational difference between the L and R sides that was causing the binding when turning sharply.

Yup, let's forget about the sport/limited.

Bear with me a moment longer. So, Are the front and rear drivers side tires rotating at the same rpm in 4wd (and same for the left)? That's how I'm hearing you. Just want to confirm.

 

Yup, I do understand that part.

 

False. All 4wd 4th gens have the center diff.

 

I have a V6. It has a center diff.

 

Nope, they all do.

 

Correct, the v6 has selectable 2/4hi/lo, which mine does, they also all have the Torsen center diff.

I believe, but am not sure as I don't have one and don't spend much time in their forums, in the 5th gens, the limited are the only ones with the Torsen.