Why doesn't Toyota put a manual 4x4 lever in the Tacoma?

When ever I get into snow or sand I always go to 4x4 unless it's a little patch. The only thing I ever forgot to do was get out and engage the front wheels in my 1993 toy. My work truck was a 2007 Tacoma 4x4 and spent a lot of time in the snow going to the mountains. Never had a problem of it engaging 4x4. My personal truck is a 2004 Tacoma and I spent a lot of time in the sand in the desert and down in Baja. It has the ADD so I can't forget anymore. Just remember if you do get stuck whether it is sand or snow airing down the tires helps a lot.

 

That's because the Tacoma is designed to be a TRUCK. Not a 4x4 trail rig. The FJ is designed to compete against the Jeep Wrangler and a throw back to the FJ40 of years past. Which was designed to compete aganist the Wrangler and the Defender 90

 

^^ This. I came from a Jeep Wrangler, and there was something very comforting about manually shifting into 4wd rather than turning a knob. I miss that. ~sniffle~

 

Prime example of a well worked selector is on the last post of the third page.

 

This.

The only item on my truck that takes a little cuddling is the locker, and that's understandable given the need for the spider gears to line up before it can engage. I find that idling in reverse with the wheels cut (either direction) does best, as that forces the rear wheels to turn at different speeds and line the spiders up asap.

As for 4wd, it goes in and out of Hi and Lo first shot almost every time. Occasionally disengaging requires idling a few inches forward or backward, but nothing major.

 

I've noticed in your build thread you blew our your rear end. Was this due to the locker?

 

I would really like this option instead of a button. THey did the same with the new 4 runners, they have the same fj manul stick.

 

The runners have the FJ stick too? That''s cool, although someone posted in here earlier showing how they have the atrac and locking center diff (they are AWD till locked) buttons up high, which isn't so good.

 

No. It's because the 8.4 rear end is too fucking small for these trucks. Everyone who wheels seriously blows their e-locked rear end at some point. It's just a matter of when. TTORA has a sticky thread on it. They're not built as tough as the non-locked rear ends, which is stupid considering the extra stresses lockers can add.

 

I hadn't realized the locked rears are some how weaker than the unlocked rears. WTF kind of logic do you think they were using? I just assumed they were built the same, when in reality the locked rears should be stouter.

 

What drive-by -wire and now Break-by-wire and coming soon steering. Just shoot me after that.

 

Does my FJ have the same rear end issues?

 

Toyota didn't want to design two axle housings. The locked rear ends have a thinner ring gear of the same diameter as the unlocked units. The ring is thinner to make room for the locker actuator within the diff.

It was fine on the 1st gens because they're much lighter and have less torque. 2nd gen trucks are too much for this rear end.

Probably not because it's a lighter vehicle. But then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzICl1h30D8

You never know.

The ring gears are all actually 8 inches. Read the link below for more info. They are different thicknesses though, and the elocked rear ends are slimmer.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228681

 

No wonder the guy broke the rear end in that video. He was obviously not making up that hill like that, should have stopped after like 2 seconds, way too much prolonged wheel spin. I think that was driver end in that instance. But yea I see what you mean, anything is breakable if you act stupid.

 

There you go. The lighter weight of the FJ probably makes it less vulnerable. But you can break any rear end if you want to bad enough.

 

i wish they did, i hate the dial setup so much, it is such a bitch to get in 4lo but with a lever it would not have a choice, mine goes into 4hi just fine but is really picky about 4lo

 

Well, I unfortunately just confirmed that the stock FJ is in fact heavier than the stock Tacoma. Here are specs from the Toyota website:

4x4 Automatic 2nd Gen Tacoma DC: 4,155 lb Curb Weight
4x4 Automatic FJ: 4,343 lb Curb Weight

So, guess I better watch that rear end carefully.

However, the FJ DOES have the Tacoma beat in the breakover and departure angles stock:

4x4 FJ: 34 Degree Approach, 31 Departue, 27 Breakover
4x4 Taco DC: 35 Approach, 26 Departure, 21 Breakover

 

Huh. Coulda swore I read the opposite somewhere. Maybe the light rear end on the trucks allows more axle wrap then or something.

Anyway, I'd be careful, yeah.

 

My 95 has the 4x4 lever...

 

Manual transmission. Manual 4 by 4 lever!.
Makes sense to me