Does the 03 4Runner have true 4WD?
My buddy is telling me his 03 XTerra has true 4WD, I am saying it is 3WD. Who is right?

 

Hmmm, sounds like your both wrong... to me a true 4wd has lockers front and rear

 

I am not sure who is right? I think your wrong, new cars don't need lockers..

 

A stock xterra has the option of a lsd in the rear, but it is weak. Neither of you have true 4wd, you would need lockers front and rear and in your case, center too. If he doesn't have a lsd, then he has 2wd, if he has the lsd he has 2.5wd, and if he has an aftermarket "real" locker, then he has 3wd.

The best VSC in the world can't compete with true lockers (at least with current technology). When you lock your center diff, then mechanically you are the same as he is. With your electronics, I would say you are slightly more capable than him, IMO.

 

I don't know but the 4R 4x4 is certainly more flexible and useful.

It's easier to shift into 4hi & 4lo, you don't have to back up to unlock the hubs and you can lock the diff. for even 50/50 split.

The Xterra has a lever to shift the t-case but I like the dial.

4R has the kick butt Torsen diff. The Xterra's limited slip is kinda lame.

You can actually use the 4r 4x4 fulltime. The Xterra 4x4 is only off-road.

Keep in mind these are new "all purpose" suv's, not built up trail rigs that have different requirements.

 

the xterra has auto hubs? EEEEEW i'd rather settle for chevy's sub-par heat activation system. somebody please tell me warn makes manual hubs for an xterra so those poor guys don't have to suffer?

never liked non-manual t-cases, prone to failure...but then again i HAVE to have manual everything in my truck :p

 

Originally posted by ScottSE:

 

This is the first time i've heard about 03 Runners having a Torsen rear diff. Those do kick butt.

 

Lets keep this on topic guys. He asked how a 4wd system fundamentally works. There was an xterra thread going in off topic if you want to talk about the virtues of each truck.

 

No, they have a torsen center diff, the rear is open.

 

Well, hard to stay on the same subject, his question was answered correctly right away.

The only true 4wd is locked front and rear...awd is the closest to that. IMHO. I've had both

I don't know who is more capable, because driver will most likely decide that.

 

What's your definition of awd? My definition is the rear, front and center diff is open, allowing use of 4wd on road.

 

Well, my AWD a viscous coupling center diff...allowing it to both lock (like a locker) and still slip to allow normal driving. It worked well 1.60 60''s on street tires!

 

You're right, CARS don't need lockers. SUV's and trucks do IF AND ONLY IF you go off road. And yes true 4wd means you have lockers in the front and rear. I have 3wd right now, hopefully 4wd when I do my SAS.

 

Sounds like a lot of us are in agreement about what makes a "true" 4X4. I'd add a requirement for a solid axles. IMHO, this was the last "true" Toyota 4X4 sold in the US when it was equipped with the optional lockers all-around. FJ-80 (we didn't get the TD, though):

 

I have 4wd.

I like to think that I have a true 4x4, but I guess not.

 

That was funny especially when looking at your gonzo avatar! I'm not saying that a "true" 4X4 is any more capable than a similar-sized, properly setup and driven 4X4 with IFS. The other stuff (mechanical lockers vs. electronic aids) and under some conditions, I'd vote for mechanical + human controls vs. computers.

 

The JDM 4th gens 4WD have a rear TORSEN LSD factory option which I have on my truck, in addition to the center diff.

 

I agree... nice post about not needing lockers noob.

BT17R, I would make an argument that a true 4WD does not need solids. as long as you can lock up the front and rear, then it is a true 4WD vehicle, because all 4 tires are spinning at the same rate. Just because you have a SA up front does not mean you will have your tires spinning. IMO

 

Can't disagree with that, but I was considering factory stock equipment only. In Toyota's case, that means that an optional front locker was last offered only with a solid front axle.