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4Hi vs. AWD

Discussion in '3rd Gen Tundras (2022+)' started by Doofus, Aug 9, 2021.

  1. Aug 9, 2021 at 12:29 PM
    #1
    Doofus

    Doofus [OP] New Member

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    Would you trade 4Hi for AWD?

    I’m admittedly ignorant of the mechanics involved with this trade off but I have an F150 with AWD and consequently never use 4Hi. 4Lo comes in handy.

    I understand the gear ratio aspect of AWD vs 4Hi but, for my use case, the two are substitutes with AWD being much more functional.
     
  2. Aug 9, 2021 at 12:49 PM
    #2
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I'd like to have 4Auto, 4Hi and 4Lo just in case I need them but maybe I'm greedy. 4Auto is admittedly probably all I need 99% of the time.
     
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  3. Aug 9, 2021 at 12:56 PM
    #3
    Bikeric

    Bikeric New Member

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    The racing Tundra fellas like installing the Sequoia AWD transfer case below 4wd Tundra's. It definitely lets them put the power to the ground.
     
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  4. Aug 9, 2021 at 1:11 PM
    #4
    Sundog

    Sundog Zoom Zoom

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    For me absolutely and 100% no. The vast majority of people I think will be better off with AWD. When it comes to knowing what the vehicle is doing, road condition, predicting how a vehicle is going to react and having the ability to control a vehicle on snow/ice I don't want AWD. One of the best vehicles I ever owned, also for snow and ice, was a '96 4Runner - rear wheel drive unless one engaged the 4WD option.
     
  5. Aug 9, 2021 at 1:28 PM
    #5
    Coal Dragger

    Coal Dragger New Member

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    I wanted a faster vehicle so I also bought a Chevy SS... because 4 door sedans with big V8’s are hilarious.
    Yes. A true full time AWD system with a Torsen center differential with high and low range is superior in every condition I can think of over a selectable 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive transfer case.

    I have driven both in a variety of conditions in a host of different vehicles, and the system we have in our Tundra sucks a bag of dicks compared to a decent permanent AWD case.
     
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  6. Aug 9, 2021 at 1:35 PM
    #6
    Sundog

    Sundog Zoom Zoom

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    That was my assessment of the AWD 2006 4Runner.
     
  7. Aug 9, 2021 at 1:56 PM
    #7
    hagrid

    hagrid The most diverse of Diversity Hires!

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    Indeed not. Part tyme is where it's at, pardon moi for ending a sentence with preposition.
     
  8. Aug 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM
    #8
    Acedude

    Acedude New Member

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    Full-time 4WD was was one of the reasons I bought the Sequoia. That Toyota Torsen has a long history being stout and reliable. That bum Sweers should get it into the Tundra. Goofy it was only in the Sequoia and the 4Runner.
     
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  9. Aug 9, 2021 at 2:01 PM
    #9
    Coal Dragger

    Coal Dragger New Member

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    I wanted a faster vehicle so I also bought a Chevy SS... because 4 door sedans with big V8’s are hilarious.
    Well you’re probably the only driver on planet earth who hasn’t liked an AWD Torsen center differential.

    I mean it’s not like permanent AWD systems dominate motor sports where they’re allowed like rally cars, Paris-Dakar race trucks, Pikes Peak hill climb racers, or other venues where as much traction as possible is a huge advantage. Oh wait, AWD systems do in fact dominate in those environments. Strange that highly skilled pro drivers came to a vastly different conclusion than you did.

    Also a bit strange all these folks who have driven full time AWD in inclement weather, and traditional 4X4’s and also acknowledge the permanent AWD is better.
     
    4genRunner and RavingOx like this.
  10. Aug 9, 2021 at 2:11 PM
    #10
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    I wouldn't turn down having AWD, but besides flipping the switch there's not much difference in usage personally. For the people that get worried about turning at all in 4Hi I can see the merit, for me if the weather is bad I'll leave 4Hi on all day long regardless if I hit dry spots, so at that point AWD isn't much different. Ultimately if I had to have one or the other, 4Hi obviously has more traction than AWD so I'll go with that.
     
  11. Aug 9, 2021 at 2:14 PM
    #11
    Coal Dragger

    Coal Dragger New Member

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    I wanted a faster vehicle so I also bought a Chevy SS... because 4 door sedans with big V8’s are hilarious.
    All you need on AWD is a diff lock, and most good systems have that feature.
     
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  12. Aug 9, 2021 at 2:14 PM
    #12
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    No doubt, but the question didn't state if the AWD had a diff lock :D
     
  13. Aug 9, 2021 at 2:22 PM
    #13
    Sundog

    Sundog Zoom Zoom

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    Man, you always this snarky or did someone pee in your corn flakes this morning?
     
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  14. Aug 9, 2021 at 3:32 PM
    #14
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    I would like an AWD system with a 4hi and 4lo option for sure. But the AWD option is only going to outperform the 4hi option on dirt road if you are blasting them at 50 MPH like a rally driver.
     
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  15. Aug 9, 2021 at 3:51 PM
    #15
    19crewmaxTRD

    19crewmaxTRD Tundra Enthusiast

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    The best 4wd system I have been in is awd with a locking center diff and a low range. Bonus points if it has front and rear lockers. Like Toyota Land Cruiser fj80. Basically the more options the better.

    in my land cruiser I have
    awd high (unlocked center diff)
    4wd high (locked center diff)
    Awd low (unlocked center diff)
    4wd low (locked center diff)

    and if I was cool I’d also front and rear axle lockers to play with.
     
  16. Aug 9, 2021 at 3:54 PM
    #16
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    Is there any use for the AWD low?
     
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  17. Aug 9, 2021 at 4:12 PM
    #17
    19crewmaxTRD

    19crewmaxTRD Tundra Enthusiast

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    Tight uphill turns on loose ground. Keeps your turning radius. (I’ve been known do due some e brake turns in unlocked low)

    Sand dunes when you don’t need 4wd but the extra low gearing helps you get around in a heavy under powered vehicle.

    I’ve even used it to pull vehicles on pavement where the extra gearing makes it easy on my rig but not have to worry about drive train binding.
     
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  18. Aug 9, 2021 at 5:39 PM
    #18
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    Makes sense.
     
  19. Aug 9, 2021 at 5:48 PM
    #19
    ShreveportTSS

    ShreveportTSS Huh?

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    Typically AWD does not split power 50/50 front/Rear, it’s more like 60/40 or 70/30. Most trucks with 4wd auto just leave the center differential open 60/40 split where 4hi/lo lock the center differential splitting the power 50/50.
    My GX460 is full time 4WD not awd like a Subaru. Huge difference.
     
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  20. Aug 9, 2021 at 6:14 PM
    #20
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    Yeah, a lot of the newer AWD’s are just FWD with a certain percentage dedicated to the rear. Not really the same as a true AWD with a differential between the front and the rear.
     
  21. Aug 9, 2021 at 7:16 PM
    #21
    Coal Dragger

    Coal Dragger New Member

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    I wanted a faster vehicle so I also bought a Chevy SS... because 4 door sedans with big V8’s are hilarious.
    I work for a large class 1 RR, so pee in cornflakes is pretty standard from my employer or worse.
     
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  22. Aug 9, 2021 at 7:26 PM
    #22
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    I guess that’s the price to pay for getting to play with big toys.
     
  23. Aug 9, 2021 at 7:58 PM
    #23
    Coal Dragger

    Coal Dragger New Member

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    I wanted a faster vehicle so I also bought a Chevy SS... because 4 door sedans with big V8’s are hilarious.
    It’s all fun and games until you break stuff or someone gets hurt.

    Broken plenty of stuff, thankfully no injuries or fatalities on my watch but the odds are not in my favor.

    Some of the mechanical failures can be pretty spectacular though. I have photos of some of the mechanical carnage but won’t clutter up this thread.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2021
  24. Aug 9, 2021 at 8:07 PM
    #24
    TucsonTundra1794

    TucsonTundra1794 ASCM #6-11 I'll buy if you're willing to ship

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    I love my awd 4runner. All traction all the time and no binding up when turning. I was unpleasantly surprised when I made a u turn in 4wd in the Tundra and felt like my truck was begging me not to.
     
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  25. Aug 10, 2021 at 12:47 AM
    #25
    Coal Dragger

    Coal Dragger New Member

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    I wanted a faster vehicle so I also bought a Chevy SS... because 4 door sedans with big V8’s are hilarious.
    Exactly.

    It’s very easy to confuse AWD systems as all being equal: they’re not. There’s a good reason the Torsen reigns supreme in higher end AWD applications where a vehicle is heavy, powerful, and needs to be capable off road. The Torsen differential is very robust, works very well, and requires no extra maintenance or adjustment. Truck\SUV applications usually have a default 40/60% torque split front/rear, with the ability to send 100% to either axle if needed, and there is a lock feature for 50/50 torque split which will perform like a 4X4 if needed.

    The list of Torsen applications for center differentials, and axle differentials is a long one. One thing you’ll notice is that they’re not cheap cars or trucks that use them.

    Accept no substitutes.
     
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  26. Aug 10, 2021 at 4:24 AM
    #26
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    And Land Cruiser and Lexus GX I think?
    If it was good enough for the Cruiser then it is sure that I would like it again!
     
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  27. Aug 10, 2021 at 10:06 AM
    #27
    Acedude

    Acedude New Member

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    Yep, I think the 4WD BOF SUV's had Torsen Center Diff either standard or optional beginning in 2000 or so??? Tried and true system for many years and miles with various engines, transmissions and axles.
     
  28. Aug 10, 2021 at 10:10 AM
    #28
    nodak67

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    am i wrong, but you people calling the 4runner an AWD is incorrect. its full time 4wd system (well at least for the limited version).

    my 2014 limited only has 4HI unlocked, 4HI Locked, 4Low. if you tell me its awd, guess i am missing something cause from what i remember, awd usually dont bind up turning. whereas my limited will semi bind if i take an off ramp onto a highway with a bend and flooring it, usually the front inside tire of the turn.
     
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  29. Aug 10, 2021 at 10:20 AM
    #29
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    You bring up an excellent point about speed. This is where AWD shines… Most drivers in my area do 50 plus on snow and ice covered roads. It makes me cringe honestly but I would much rather these morons have AWD because it can control their stupidity to an extent.
     
  30. Aug 10, 2021 at 10:30 AM
    #30
    TucsonTundra1794

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    I can turn my wheel full turn in either direction in 4wd and have no binding at all in my 2000 limited. They sold it as selectable "always on 4wd" I believe it was meant to be always in 4wd unless you press button to turn off. At least that's what it said in my manual.
     

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