Add Toyota Locking Torsen Center Differential to TRD Off-Road?

[NordicSkier17]

I really like the design and sporty looks of the 2025 TRD Off-Road Premium. It looks like a terrific vehicle. My one issue with it is not a small one. The lack of full-time 4 wheel drive living in the high mountains of the Western slope of Colorado.

This may be a crazy idea, but would it be possible to add a Toyota Locking Torsen Center Differential (the one in the Limited) to this vehicle? I’m sure someone will say why don’t you just buy a Land Cruiser? The reason is I just don’t like the large boxy look of the Land Cruiser, its hybrid engine or its ground clearance.

 

[Dead Horse]

Not all 4Runners are part time 4x4. I believe it's the Limited trim that has full time 4wd as an option and the Platinum has it as standard. No locking center diff though.

 

[02SE]

Not all 4Runners are part time 4x4. I believe it's the Limited trim that has full time 4wd as an option and the Platinum has it as standard. No locking center diff though.

The full-time 4wd 4Runners (available in Limited and Platinum trims) have 4hi Full-time, 4hi locked, and 4lo locked. So yes, the differential in the Transfer case of those models can be locked in 4hi, and by default it locks in 4lo.

 

[DustyLens]

There is a video on YouTube explaining the transfer cases of 4Runner, Tacoma, and Land Cruiser and it says that the full-time 4WD system can be either locked or unlocked in both 4hi and 4lo.

Edit: Other videos indicate that there is no unlocked 4lo option.

 

[Jetsareus]

I am curious about how many wheels are actually driven when the differential transfer case is locked (in the Limited 4WD trim).

I understood that my previous 1992 Toyota 4x4 pickup would drive one rear and one front wheel in 4 high or low. Is this what the Limited will do?

 

[Jetsareus]

4WTBT responded in another thread about this. I suppose I am curious if it had lockers for the two differentials. Below is his take:


IF the 6G Limited is essentially the 5G Limited but with the new engine and trans....

Yes, in fact it's much more off-road capable than most AWD SUVs. This 4WD system is superior to AWD systems because of the locking center differential, and because many AWD systems are actually FWD with a delayed -- and partial -- activation of the rear wheels only when the fronts slip.

The Limited's full-time 4WD is an absolute tractor in comparison. It has the on-road advantages of AWD in that it responds to slippery conditions automatically, without the driver having to engage it, but it does so more quickly and symmetrically while also allowing for traditional tractor-like 4WD behavior when you lock the diff.

Also, the Limited comes with a low gear, which multiplies torque for scrambling over obstacles, something very unusual in an AWD SUV. And it has ATRAC, which apportions torque between wheels within an axle.

And it has substantially more ground clearance than most AWD SUVs.

These advantages don't matter much on smooth dirt roads and light snow. But if you get into a jam off road, get stuck in a rut or mud pit, or encounter especially bad weather, the 4Runner will prove much more capable.

Again, this is all based on the 5th Gen. I'm sure much of that carriers over to the 6G, but to me the jury is still out on whether Toyota compromised the new gen in some ways.

 

[NordicSkier17]

For Gen6, only the Limited I-Force Max with the hybrid engine has the 4WD high/low transfer case according to Toyota’s website. Do a compare between the two trims and scroll down in the mechanical/performance section. This eliminates the gas engine Limited for me as a potential choice. They castrated an otherwise excellent design.

 

[LLL1990]

For Gen6, only the Limited I-Force Max with the hybrid engine has the 4WD high/low transfer case according to Toyota’s website. Do a compare between the two trims and scroll down in the mechanical/performance section. This eliminates the gas engine Limited for me as a potential choice. They castrated an otherwise excellent design.

The hybrid and non hybrid are available with the full time 4WD, just ordered a gas Limited with 4WD.

 

[NordicSkier17]

The hybrid and non hybrid are available with the full time 4WD, just ordered a gas Limited with 4WD.

Yes, the gas engine 4Runner Limited has full-time 4WD; however, it does not have 4WD Low. You only get 4WD Low with the hybrid engine. This reduces the off-road utility of the gas engine version because you have no torque multiplication to climb a steep hill.

 

[Hobb3s]

Yes, the gas engine 4Runner Limited has full-time 4WD; however, it does not have 4WD Low. You only get 4WD Low with the hybrid engine. This reduces the off-road utility of the gas engine version because you have no torque multiplication to climb a steep hill.

Im pretty sure this is incorrect. the gas version of the limited, has 4L and a center locking diff.... as shown in several videos. of the gas 4runner limited.

 

[Jetsareus]

I selected “build vehicle” in Toyota.com. Selected Limited and I-Force Max. The two models show different mode selector knobs. It supports the castration comment!
I hope the photos don’t tell the correct story.

 

[Hobb3s]

I selected “build vehicle” in Toyota.com. Selected Limited and I-Force Max. The two models show different mode selector knobs. It supports the castration comment!
I hope the photos don’t tell the correct story.

Did you select the full time 4wd for the gas limited?

this was when i selected fulltime 4wd on thegas version.

 

[NordicSkier17]

It is very clear on the website when you do a side-by-side comparison between the gas Limited and the hybrid Limited under Mechanical/Performance. The hybrid has a low gear and the gas engine has nothing. Sad but true. I hope it’s wrong but I doubt it.

 

[LLL1990]

Toyota doesn't offer 2 different types of Full Time systems, I just ordered a gas Limited with full time 4WD and it has H4F, H4L, and L4L just like all Limiteds before this one. I'm pretty sure this is a carryover system from the previous generation (and probably the one before that).

The picture you posted is for the 2WD versions.

 

[Jetsareus]

I did NOT select 4WD when I compared!
That may explain my post and hopefully some other posts as well.