4 Wheel Drive Question - 4 Runner

[Cooch]

I bought a year end 2004 SR5-4WD 4Runner.... I was always accustomed to the standard 4WD system where you can run in 2 wheel drive or engage it into 4 wheel drive and set it to either high or low..... Mine has an All Wheel Drive system..... It is always in 4 wheel drive and runs in either high or low............... I am not sure I like that, but it is mine now so...... Why do they make the All Wheel Drive system?............. I live in Virginia and only want a 4 wheel drive truck on infrequent occasions.............. Now I am stuck with a truck that is in 4 wheel drive all the time............. I assume it takes more gas and more tire wear............ any comments on this situation will be greatly appreciated............... I am dumbfounded that I got in this situation and need help....................... Cooch

[Bakemono]

Are you sure that its all wheel drive? I know that the 4Runner had a sort of "automatic" 4x4 system where if the back tires started to spin it would send power to the fronts, but I didnt think they had AWD.
Basically, its for convenience and for people who dont know when they should and when they should not use 4WD.
Cap'n

[abdiver]

Originally Posted by Cooch

I bought a year end 2004 SR5-4WD 4Runner.... I was always accustomed to the standard 4WD system where you can run in 2 wheel drive or engage it into 4 wheel drive and set it to either high or low..... Mine has an All Wheel Drive system..... It is always in 4 wheel drive and runs in either high or low............... I am not sure I like that, but it is mine now so...... Why do they make the All Wheel Drive system?............. I live in Virginia and only want a 4 wheel drive truck on infrequent occasions.............. Now I am stuck with a truck that is in 4 wheel drive all the time............. I assume it takes more gas and more tire wear............ any comments on this situation will be greatly appreciated............... I am dumbfounded that I got in this situation and need help....................... Cooch

I have the 2004 limited with V8 and it came with full time 4 wheel drive Not AWD, diff is a middle transfer case. I can go into low 4 wheel drive but never had to yet. I have driven in lots of snow and never slip at all.

[80toy]

its not really an all wheel drive. its more i think it is more like the 4x4 when slip is sensed thing. anyway, the gas and tire wear should be minimal compared to 2 wheel drive sinse the system is very efficient.

[Geius Maniacal]

most likely the system will barely use front wheel drive unless the rear tires slip. so when u drive around town u mainly gonna be only using rear wheel drive. that is my understanding of the whole thing. hope i could help. u could also call the dealer and find out exactly what it does.