Why do some Tacoma's have a 4WD Button on the transfer case lever and some dont??

Why do some Tacoma's have a 4WD Button on the transfer case lever and some dont??

I am looking to buy a first gen Tacoma and sometimes I see a 4WD button on the lever and sometimes I dont?

Why do some have this button and some dont?

 

are you serious?

 

yah i think he is. he is asking a question why dont you answer it for him since your pretty much sayin you know

 

not all tacomas are 4 wheel drive, some are pre runners or just 2 wheel drive first generation tacomas

 

The Tacoma's that I searched were ALL 4WD's. If the Tacoma has a transfer case that means it has 4WD.

Why do some have a 4WD button and some dont?

 

im not totally certain....but i think those come on the limited versions of the first gen tacomas.

 

Yes, he's serious. Some of the first gen 4x4's have a lever to shift between 2hi, down to 4hi, and then to the right and up is neutral, up past that is 4lo.

This is how mine is set up in my 4 cylinder 5 speed, meaning at any time I can pull that lever back to get into 4hi, and push it forward for 2hi.

Some, however require you push a button before you can shift, much like an automatic transmission shifter.

Why this is, I am also curious, so if anyone besides McIsaac knows why, please share.

 

Yes I am serious. Maybe you do not know what I am talking about??

Here are two pictures.

One picture has a button.. One DOES NOT have a button. Both are 2004's.

So why do some have this 4WD button and some Tacoma's dont? Is it a package thing? Option? What the point of it?

 

Oh! I have an idea: are they manual locking hubs or automatic hubs? My truck came with manual hubs and it does NOT have the button.

I do believe most of the later first gens are auto hubs, though...

 

I just looked at my manual, and this is what I have personally concluded, correct me if I'm wrong:

Looks like the button type=push 4wd button to engage 4hi, computer will tell truck to automatically lock hubs, and tell transfer case to shift to 4hi. If the conditions are not good for shifting (i.e. tires are spinning), computer will yell at you and tell you to try again when conditions are better.

The lever type you physically pull the lever back using your own force to engage 4hi in the transfer case. This means if the tires are spinning, you'll grind some gears (i've done it before).

The general consensus I have found is that manual hubs=stronger for offroad. Would the lever type also fall under that assumption?

Again, I'm just speculating.

 

AHAHAHAHAH He told you.

Yes.

I really don't know why.
Mine is auto and doesn't have the button.

 

my 01 has auto hubs and no button. its not trd though. I have never seen the button and cant make out what it says in the pic. Im curious...

 

So the guy I bought my truck from sold it to buy a new FJ Cruiser, and he said one of the reasons he bought it was because Toyota's discontinuing the lever 4wd, which I'm assuming means replacing it with the switch type 4wd found in the 2nd gen tacomas.

I'm all for manual operation when it comes to serious offroad. So does that mean the 2nd gen tacos are disadvantaged by that?

Seems like everything is becoming computer controlled nowadays, which I sometimes hate and sometimes embrace...I hate when power windows break, and I hate wiring and electrical problems, but I also like traction control and VSC as it can save your life...

I think I'm getting into the 1st gen vs. 2nd gen debate...but I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

 

I think it comes down to the manual being a mechanical fix, which could be fairly easy and maybe cheaper. As opposed to the electronic where it becomes more complicated.

 

Yeah...when shit breaks, simpler=better

But when you're careening towards a guardrail sideways, I would assume that VSC is better.

Depends on who you are I guess.

 

Just turn into the guardrail and give it more skinny pedal.

 

Well I guess I know what kind of driver you are, lol.

 

My tacoma is a 2004 SR5, V6, 5spd, TRD and does have the button and i think that the later 1st gen's came with it. im not sure i will look at my window sticker tomorrow and report back. and i wish mine didnt have the button and had manual hubs

 

My 5 speed 04 was made in july of 04 and it does NOT have the button but it does have auto hubs. For the record.