(3rd Gen) 4Runner - 4WD all the time or 2WD part of the time?

Galen · 01-19-2007, 08:46 AM

Pros, cons? I understand the basics re: 4WD vs 2WD. Have been driving 4x4's for years (last was a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee) but this is my first 4Runner.

If I run with the 4Runner in 4WD all the time even in dry conditions what will occur? The manual states higher fuel consumption & tire wear will occur quicker if 4WD is all the time. Other than that, which is not that big a deal to me, are there pros/cons?

Thank you.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

HaveBlue · 01-19-2007, 08:54 AM

If you run 4WD all the time, you'll experience binding and accelerated wear of the 4WD components. Not to mention significantly decreased gas mileage. It's better to run in 2WD and use 4WD when absolutely needed.

d0ubledown · 01-19-2007, 09:21 AM

depends what runner you have. the later ones 99-02 i think have multimode 4wd/awd, meaning you can drive in 4H or 2H in any conditions. the earlier ones 96-99 have only part time 4wd, meaning you cant drive 4H in normal dry road conditions. well..technically you can...but bad things can/will happen.

Galen · 01-19-2007, 09:25 AM

2002 4x4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ubledown

depends what runner you have. the later ones 99-02 i think have multimode 4wd/awd, meaning you can drive in 4H or 2H in any conditions. the earlier ones 96-99 have only part time 4wd, meaning you cant drive 4H in normal dry road conditions. well..technically you can...but bad things can/will happen.

Tacoclimber · 01-19-2007, 09:29 AM

Do you still have the owner's manual? As silly as it sounds, it might line it out in there for you...

Rock Slide · 01-19-2007, 10:09 AM

I personally would not drive my '02 in AWD mode all the time. (It might say 4WD, but unless you phyically move the stick into 4Lo, you're actually in AWD when you push that side button.)

I don't know exactly what damage it would create b/c I've never seen the effects of an '02 after someone's driven it for a very long time in AWD.

If I remember correctly, you're not supposed to drive the vehicle in AWD above 60mph. Someone w/ multimode correct me if I'm wrong. Thought it said somewhere in the manual about that.

Also since VSC and TRAC are always on, putting it in AWD while driving down the freeway is overkill IMO. I only use AWD when in extreme condtions and driving slower than 60mph.

Galen · 01-19-2007, 11:53 AM

The owners manual for the 2002 4R states that you should be *under* 60mph when transferring to 4wd (AWD) from 2WD. It also states that you can drive at any speed in 4WD/AWD, just not for transferring.

Driving in rear wheel drive on anything but dry conditions is asking for trouble from what I understand.

lee · 01-19-2007, 11:57 AM

you will be fine but i dont know why youd wanna do that.

in an 02, you can run it at any speed, for however long you want... i just dont see the benefit.

on the road, i really only put it in awd for extremely wet or icy/snowy conditions.

when its a light rain i just leave it in 2wd.

RunnerUp · 01-19-2007, 12:10 PM

yeah, i only put my 02 in AWD when on the highway in a down pour, or around town when im running late and its pouring. like lee if its not pouring or snowing/icy, leave it in 2wd.

Rock Slide · 01-19-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Galen
The owners manual for the 2002 4R states that you should be *under* 60mph when transferring to 4wd (AWD) from 2WD. It also states that you can drive at any speed in 4WD/AWD, just not for transferring.

Well that's good to know. I knew it said something about a 60mph condition. Just couldn't remember what it was.

Just leave it in 2WD (under normal conditions) and you'll be fine.

mpavolka · 01-19-2007, 03:16 PM

I don't know why you would want to be in 4wd all the time either. If it's dry on concrete you would probably roll over before you would loose control due to 2wd.

Paul H. · 01-19-2007, 03:58 PM

Like others say, leave it in 2wd unless conditions warrent.

Galen · 01-19-2007, 04:49 PM

Thanks, much appreciated. The rationale for 4WD all the time is for extra handling/traction when needed.

01-19-2007, 08:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
HaveBlue Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,667	If you run 4WD all the time, you'll experience binding and accelerated wear of the 4WD components. Not to mention significantly decreased gas mileage. It's better to run in 2WD and use 4WD when absolutely needed. __________________ Alan *1996 Supercharged 4Runner Limited* Hi Altitude 4Lo A 4WD club for Colorado and surrounding states

01-19-2007, 09:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
d0ubledown Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: vansterdam BC. Posts: 1,432	depends what runner you have. the later ones 99-02 i think have multimode 4wd/awd, meaning you can drive in 4H or 2H in any conditions. the earlier ones 96-99 have only part time 4wd, meaning you cant drive 4H in normal dry road conditions. well..technically you can...but bad things can/will happen. __________________ sonny ------- 1998 4Runner LTD. Fabtech CO fronts, OME/Pro Comp rears, SS rear links, Revtek diff drop, oem elocker, ARB RD90, 4.88's, 315/75/16 MT/R's on FZJ-80's, Trail Gear sliders, ARB Prado Bar, 1.5" 4Crawler BL, Tundra Brakes, wabfab disco's, IPF's...satoshi'd deckplated & ISR'd. SOLD!!! new ride: 1997 FZJ80. ome/arb/bfg/etc. when clinton lied..nobody died

01-19-2007, 09:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tacoclimber Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Between a rock and a hard place, AZ Posts: 3,713	Do you still have the owner's manual? As silly as it sounds, it might line it out in there for you... __________________ CJ ...<>< 03 DC TRD Tacoma 4wd with a bunch of junk. SOLD 1964 Chevy Biscayne, 230 I6, lowered, satin black, old-school legit. Just wheel the stupid thing!!! But do it responsibly, ok? My band: Road Worn Saints

01-19-2007, 10:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rock Slide Contributing Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: B'ham, AL... 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD Posts: 2,045	I personally would not drive my '02 in AWD mode all the time. (It might say 4WD, but unless you phyically move the stick into 4Lo, you're actually in AWD when you push that side button.) I don't know exactly what damage it would create b/c I've never seen the effects of an '02 after someone's driven it for a very long time in AWD. If I remember correctly, you're not supposed to drive the vehicle in AWD above 60mph. Someone w/ multimode correct me if I'm wrong. Thought it said somewhere in the manual about that. Also since VSC and TRAC are always on, putting it in AWD while driving down the freeway is overkill IMO. I only use AWD when in extreme condtions and driving slower than 60mph. __________________ 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD My 4Runner Profile Accessories: SS 7.1 Lift Kit, WabFab 1" BL, TJM T15, Stubb Sliders, FX/TSX HID Projector Retrofit, 1st Gen Rollbar, Tundra Brake Upgrade, Hilux Surf Field Monitor, TRD Ivan Stewart Wheels, Nitto TG 265/75s, WeatherTechs, Hella HID 4000s, LED Tail Lights, JBL Speakers Mods: Disabled DRLs, Disabled Keyless Entry Chirp, Disabled VTRAC/VSC/ABS, Fog Light Mod, Air Elbow Mod & Rear Diff Breather Mod *"Why fix a Jeep, when you can drive a Toyota?"*

01-19-2007, 12:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
RunnerUp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,020	yeah, i only put my 02 in AWD when on the highway in a down pour, or around town when im running late and its pouring. like lee if its not pouring or snowing/icy, leave it in 2wd. __________________ Kyle 2002 4Runner - Lifted/Locked/Armored/Charged - 145k Miles 2007 4Runner V8 Sport Edition 4WD 20k Miles Buy My Stuff!!! http://www.yotatech.com/f109/97-4run...rt-out-151470/

01-19-2007, 11:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Galen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 37	The owners manual for the 2002 4R states that you should be under 60mph when transferring to 4wd (AWD) from 2WD. It also states that you can drive at any speed in 4WD/AWD, just not for transferring. Driving in rear wheel drive on anything but dry conditions is asking for trouble from what I understand.

01-19-2007, 11:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	you will be fine but i dont know why youd wanna do that. in an 02, you can run it at any speed, for however long you want... i just dont see the benefit. on the road, i really only put it in awd for extremely wet or icy/snowy conditions. when its a light rain i just leave it in 2wd.

01-19-2007, 03:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
mpavolka Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 311	I don't know why you would want to be in 4wd all the time either. If it's dry on concrete you would probably roll over before you would loose control due to 2wd. __________________ 99' 4Runner SR5 5spd 3.4L Sonoran Steel 7.1/7.2/OME891 Previous Vehicles: 1985 4x4, 1990 4Runner Last edited by mpavolka; 01-20-2007 at 08:38 PM.

01-19-2007, 04:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
Galen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 37	Thanks, much appreciated. The rationale for 4WD all the time is for extra handling/traction when needed.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
4wd Shift Knob in 2wd 3rd Gen	tv4184	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	15	07-22-2006 10:54 PM
part time job + full time student = cant afford gas	gtm130	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	8	07-28-2004 08:34 PM
How to Convert a 3rd Gen 4Runner from 2WD to 4WD	Nitro Hotpants	The Fab Shop	102	04-07-2004 01:15 PM
The Time Has Come...3rd Gen 4Runner Skid Plates!!	XtremeOff-Road	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	40	02-13-2003 08:04 PM