Should Toyota add Auto 4wd to the Tundra ?

I drive in 4HI most of the time in my '13 Sequoia. I got 13 in 2wd, I get 13 in 4wd. I'm not driving a giant gas swilling beast for MPGs, I drive it because it does what I need and I love it.

FWIW I voted I don't care.

 

You drive in 4HI or 4Auto most of the time? One of them will break shit, one will not.......

 

How much time do you have driving vehicles with 4A? Over the last 6 years driving my two different work vehicles extensively in winter conditions, this has never been the case. In the scenario you describe, the traction control systems kicks in and controls the slide before delivering power to the front wheels.

Will fully admit that 4A it is not a replacement for actually being in 4x4, but is WILDLY better at accident prevention and traction provided vs. being in RWD.

 

I'm not trying to start a argument here, but I don't think it's fair to say "Toyota was more interested in saving costs on the 3rd Gen vs previous Gens" when no other Gen has it. I do agree it would have been nice to have full time 4WD, especially when the competition offers it.

 

I guess I was speaking more to the perceived cheapness of the Tundras that I looked at. And with ALL their competition offering 4A, it would have been nice to see Toyota include it as well. I do feel it was a cost saving measure when it was deleted from the 5th Gen T4R.

Incidentally, it's one of the features I most look forward to on my Tremor. I really liked having it on my 4th Gen 4Runner.

 

Start an argument. One’s going to break out anyway.

 

My 2013 Limited Sequoia does not have 4 auto, It has been in 4hi for close to a year (95% of the time) nothing is broken, it drives like a champ.

 

but don’t go this far. You’ll just give everyone a heart attack.

 

No, and that should have been corrected with a full redesign. I don't know what the thought process was, but 4A seemed to me a no-brainer. Been there done that in the Toyota family for 25 years but they debut new generations without even availability.

 

I think you are forgetting the Sequoia has a center diff locker. It is off unless needed and the truck runs LIKE AWD.

 

Still have not gotten an adequate answer as to why this Torsen LSD never made it into the Tundras, and why it was removed from the 3G Sequoia / not added to the 3G Tundra. Such a great system.

 

Here’s an overview of systems for those following along and somewhat lost. Reminder. The question was for 4 auto.

https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/awd-vs-4wd-whats-the-difference-and-which-to-choose.html

 

I've never owned a Tundra before, never even ever drove one except for a circle in a parking lot of a repair shop I've ran...until I got my 2022 Tundra. I would not describe it as "cheap" in any way. Could it have been better, sure. Would I personally make changes, yes. I'm still more than satisfied with it though. I also had a 2022 T4R Limited, and it had full time 4WD FYI.

 

Is it really that much of an inconvenience to stop texting or eating while driving to turn a knob. And does society really suck that badly at driving that they can’t drive within the limits of the road conditions. Sometimes you just can’t go 80 in a white out. And just because you can go…doesn’t mean you can stop!

 

when it has a center diff lock they just call it 4hi or 4lo. There is no 4Auto.

you can be in 4hi or 4lo on pavement because it keeps the center diff unlocked until you hit the button. I use 4Lo unlocked for moving my trailer around on pavement all the time. Its awesome because it gives you the gear reduction without the binding.

And even offroad I almost never lock the diff in 4Lo.

 

I voted NO. See my post above. iME, 4Auto is garbage. 4wd with a lockable differential in the transfer case is exceptional. Perhaps one would think that I’m nit picking, but traditional 4WD, 4Auto, AWD, and center diff lock systems are all very different. As is, I have zero issues with my 4wd tundra even though my sequoias 4wd system is superior (IMO) with the center diff.

 

Turning a knob? No. But pushing a little sliding lever down, thats where I draw the line. Cannot be done.

But more seriously, auto 4wd would be pretty nice. I was borrowing my dad's f150 before I got the Tundra, and the auto 4wd kicked in when I was trying to accelerate from stop through an intersection that was icy. Seemed to work pretty well for that. Is it a dealbreaker, no, but it would have been a nice add for sure.

Some of us folks live in areas where it doesn't get too terribly much snow, so the road cleaning crews take a while to get the job done when we do get some. And auto 4wd is nice in those situations so that you don't have to be in constant 4wd while driving on roads that are 80% cleared off.

 

Then why did they remove it from the 23 Sequoia? Those had it in previous generations.

 

Most trucks still require you to turn a knob to put it in 4Auto. Its less about convenience and more about having a better 4wd system.

 

I might be confused but how do you classify 4a as a better system? Curious what the justification for that is?

 

At least in the case of my F150, its a full time awd mode that constantly varies torque to the front axle. Its not an On/Off system. That is going to be more stable and predictable in variable conditions than a fully locked 4x4 since it allows differential speed between the axles.

its not as good as the Torsen system in my GX but better than not having anything in my experience.

 

Compared to traditional part time 4WD systems where you have either RWD or 4x4, having another option IMHO classifies as "better".

In the winter time I drive through varying terrain and surfaces daily. Heck, my driveway alone requires 4x4 to make it up to the road most times, and very much wanted when turning from a stop onto busy road. But once on the highway if its been plowed / sanded, 4x4 is not needed. Then back to 4x4 while on the job sites, and then back to 2wd for pulling into covered parking areas / drive thru's / gas stations / etc. I am not exagerating when I say there are certainly days where I am switching in/out at least a half dozen times. Having a 4A system (or preferably the Torsen LSD system formerly available on Land Cruisers, Sequoias, and 4R's) solves this inconvenience and provides better traction in conditions that dont warrant being in 4x4 continuously.

 

A center diff is the only feature I will upgrade my truck for unless I need heavy duty capability so yes Toyota missed an easy sale. Around here it's a 50/50 mix of ice and dry road for a few months a year because snow gets packed/plowed down, the sun evaporates the thin or wet parts, and I'm switching between 2Hi and 4Hi dozens of times per trip to not overstress the driveline.

I thought about a manual transmission FJ as the 4x4 model had no 2wd mode. Unfortunately that means dealing with that RA60 and its aluminum TOB quill and weak synchros again. Either that or find a 2nd gen and do the sequoia transfer case swap. Either way, no new sale for Toyota.

 

There is always an "I don't need that, so it doesn't need to exist for anybody" guy out there, that much I can confirm.

 

Wow. Big leap here. I wanted to hear opinions as to why.

 

We weren't discussing the Sequoia

 

Not aimed at you specifically. Thats why I left you off of the quote
Objectively, if there is a 2h, 4a, 4h, 4l, and you didn't want to use 4a, then... don't?

 

Well, in all fairness ..... in post #3 you did vote "no" and basically say you don't see a need for it

*just giving you a hard time, I appreciate the discussion

 

I did and stated why. Wanted to hear a reason. Mine is because my reactions are from winters in RWD. Wanted to know.

there’s a lot of stuff on this truck I won’t use.