Pros / Cons between the part-time 4WD and full-time AWD

[Positronic]

Good morning all,

Does anyone have opinion or experience around the part-time 4WD and full-time AWD systems being offered on the new 6th Gen? I'm assuming these have implementations in other Toyota truck or SUV lines and i'm curious as to if this boils down to a preference thing or a drivetrain longevity thing? I have owned a few Chevy/GMC trucks with standard part-time 4WD as well as my 1st Gen 4Runner complete with hublocks so the concept of not making sharp turns and driving in 4WD on dry pavement is not lost on me. But, as my intro thread details, i've been a Subaru STi guy for the better part of the last 2 decades so i'm used to the full-time AWD feel particularly out here in the snow of Colorado so i'm thinking i may lean toward the full-time 4WD. Thanks ahead for any info/opinion/experience anyones had between the two!

 

[jnsplace]

Outback owner here, I do love my AWD. My hubby owns a 1794 Tundra and mainly keeps it in 2WD. We live in E WA where the snow and ice exist for sure. We also travel over the cascade passes, all three of them, which can be treacherous, mostly because I swear people don't know how to drive in snow out here......

He throws his truck into 4WD on an as needed basis and does amazingly well. He tells me he loves my Outback, majority due to the low profile and stability.
I feel as if I need more maintenance than him, including my tires.
Maybe I'm old school, but my plan is to get 4WD on demand, vs all the time if I have a choice that is!

 

[Mrknowitall]

It was very disappointing when the 4R lost the multi-mode case (aside from the Limited) going into the 5th gen. I find it absolutely bewildering that the US specific trucks are denied a full-time o even auto 4wd t-case. Even the cheapskate (Custom) Silverado I currently have offers Auto-4wd.
Drawbacks? Fuel economy, perhaps, but it really isn't much. Wear is mute, since the CV axles are spinning with either system.

 

[Positronic]

Outback owner here, I do love my AWD. My hubby owns a 1794 Tundra and mainly keeps it in 2WD. We live in E WA where the snow and ice exist for sure. We also travel over the cascade passes, all three of them, which can be treacherous, mostly because I swear people don't know how to drive in snow out here......

He throws his truck into 4WD on an as needed basis and does amazingly well. He tells me he loves my Outback, majority due to the low profile and stability.
I feel as if I need more maintenance than him, including my tires.
Maybe I'm old school, but my plan is to get 4WD on demand, vs all the time if I have a choice that is!

Small world, my wife also is an Outback owner (and wants a new wilderness or ascent, but dads 4runner happens first!) and we were just discussing this the other day as i also enjoy driving her Outback around as its stable and handles great in the snow, even the deep stuff we've had this winter 2-3FT+. I'd say the biggest benefit i've seen from full-time AWD systems out here is when we go up to ski country where we have to cruise down I-25 on a large downhill grade that has alot of curves, its just so easy to gear down and never have to touch the brakes while still having the AWD engaged for the snowy/icy curves as needed. I'd also assume that with the newer 4WD on-demand system the turning constraints are probably alot less than the effort needed with my 1st gen 4runner, and i even had hydro assist.

 

[BG1]

Outback owner here, I do love my AWD. My hubby owns a 1794 Tundra and mainly keeps it in 2WD. We live in E WA where the snow and ice exist for sure. We also travel over the cascade passes, all three of them, which can be treacherous, mostly because I swear people don't know how to drive in snow out here......

He throws his truck into 4WD on an as needed basis and does amazingly well. He tells me he loves my Outback, majority due to the low profile and stability.
I feel as if I need more maintenance than him, including my tires.
Maybe I'm old school, but my plan is to get 4WD on demand, vs all the time if I have a choice that is!

Not sure of your Sub 3.6R year, we had one and loved it as well. However, the Subaru AWD (at least the year I had) was mechanical fulltime AWD - they call it Symmetrical All-Wheel that it the same concept as Toyota Full time 4WD. My BMW 330Xi was the same, full time 4WD. Now the 3.6R has CVT transmission that I don't like.

Unless you Off Road, the Toyota 4WD on demand is inferior since the wheels on each axle can't rotate at different speeds and if used on dry /wet /dry pavement will judder when turning. The user manual states don't do it.

The Toyota Full time 4WD (LC or 4R) has a special diff / transmission that allows predictable 4 wheel operation in all road conditions wheels on each axle can rotate at different speeds and front /rear axle bias can vary..

The different way auto makers describe AWD vs 4WD can be confusing. Call it AWD or 4WD, but your Subaru is full-time and that's why it's so good on varying road conditions on freeways or the mountain passes.

 

[LLL1990]

The different way auto makers describe AWD vs 4WD can be confusing. Call it AWD or 4WD, but your Subaru is full-time and that's why it's so good on varying road conditions on freeways or the mountain passes.

There is a difference AWD is all 4 wheel powered all the time and that's it. Full time 4WD means all 4 wheel powered all the time plus there is a 2 speed transfer case for 4 High and 4 Low. FT4WD is much more capable system over AWD.

 

[BG1]

There is a difference AWD is all 4 wheel powered all the time and that's it. Full time 4WD means all 4 wheel powered all the time plus there is a 2 speed transfer case for 4 High and 4 Low. FT4WD is much more capable system over AWD.

 

[BG1]

Yes in Toyota Speak - Mostly Correct. That was kind of my point there is not a common application of 4WD and AWD definitions.

My2017 Rav 4 is AWD, but runs mostly as FWD, going to F/R when slip is detected or when you push the lock button. Unfortunately, that turns off over 35mph, how dum is that!
In other brands (I cited BMW and Subaru before crappy CVT) their branded AWD is in fact FTWWD albeit without a 2 speed transfer case.

Since I'm not an OR driver, I'd be happy with a Sport Premium with FT4WD - don't care if it has 2 speed transfer case.

 

[LLL1990]

Yes in Toyota Speak - Mostly Correct. That was kind of my point there is not a common application of 4WD and AWD definitions.

My2017 Rav 4 is AWD, but runs mostly as FWD, going to F/R when slip is detected or when you push the lock button. Unfortunately, that turns off over 35mph, how dum is that!
In other brands (I cited BMW and Subaru before crappy CVT) their branded AWD is in fact FTWWD albeit without a 2 speed transfer case.

Since I'm not an OR driver, I'd be happy with a Sport Premium with FT4WD - don't care if it has 2 speed transfer case.

Only the Limited and Platinum have FT4WD all the others have part time 4WD, you have to switch from 2WD to 4WD. That system isn't designed for use all the time because it binds on turns and will cause damage when driven on pavement. Part time systems are mainly designed for off road use and temporary use when driven on slippery roads.

All 4Runners with 4WD have a 2 speed transfer case.

 

[Nodak]

the old 3.6R legacy were awesome. i had one and it was a hoot, only downside, the low clearance hindered it in snow, 5.8in i think.

the 3.6R had a torsen center diff and was normally split 40/60 and you could lock the center diff.

afterwards subaru went to a cvt system and completely ruined the awd system they had before, so i got out of them.

most awd systems (there are some oddballs that were actually closer to ft4wd) are mostly 100/0 then simulate awd by braking the slipping wheel and shift power accordingly. i know on our v6 rav4 (that biotch would haul a$$ with major torque steer) you could do a soft lock 50/50 until you hit 30mph (and that 30mph is speedometer read, so you could spin the wheels and register 30mph but not actually be going anywhere) and it would unlock (and i think toyota still does this now).

most awd systems now are great for basic road situations but if you get anything out of the norm, you are SoL.