4Runner Limited VS SR5 - 4WD Differences.

[AK47bp]

4Runner’s in the Limited trim have full time 4wd (AWD) and all other models have part time 4WD with RWD.

Not talking about 2WD 4Runners at all.

I have the SR5 Premium and really like it, it’s slow, handles like garbage and has terrible gas mileage like every 4Runner.

What I don’t like is having pull to the far right lane to drop speed below 50mph to shift to 4WD while on the highway if it starts snowing. I know that driving in shitty weather over 50mph is stupid anyway but my main corridor is I90 and need to keep up with the flow of traffic.

Anyone driven both a Limited and an SR5 and have an opinion?

I hate the 20inch wheels on the Limited but it’s supposed to have a little better suspension and handling from what I’ve read.

Thinking of swapping my SR5 for a Limited and just wondering if anyone has any experience.

Thanks.

[davjr96]

I have a 2006 V8 Limited. It has full time 4wd (effectively AWD) H/L range and no 2wd. However, it also has a center diff lock button which turns it into true 4x4 similar to the SR5. I love it. I don't even think about it most of the time unless it's really snowy in which case I lock the center diff. Most of the time the unlocked center diff suffices. It makes it really easy to think about and avoid annoying situations like a main road being plowed to pavement, side road not plowed, onto pavement again. No 2wd to 4wd shifting needed in that scenario. I really think it is the best of all worlds besides gas consumption... My next car I will really look for another AWD to 4WD option.

[Ted Striker]

All the factory wheels are the same bolt pattern so you could run the 20s as summers and 17s with real snow tires in the winter. You just have to be a little careful with the tires and offsets to avoid rubbing.

[Danno]

I have a Sequoia in the Limited (2006), interesting to read that the 4Runner in that trim is full time AWD, as the Sequoia is not.

FWIW, I have changed in and out of 4wd above 50mph. That said, if I am traveling at 65mph or faster, I do not have 4wd engaged. If I feel the need to have 4wd, I shouldn't be going that fast, IMO.

[AK47bp]

I have a 2006 V8 Limited. It has full time 4wd (effectively AWD) H/L range and no 2wd. However, it also has a center diff lock button which turns it into true 4x4 similar to the SR5. I love it. I don't even think about it most of the time unless it's really snowy in which case I lock the center diff. Most of the time the unlocked center diff suffices. It makes it really easy to think about and avoid annoying situations like a main road being plowed to pavement, side road not plowed, onto pavement again. No 2wd to 4wd shifting needed in that scenario. I really think it is the best of all worlds besides gas consumption... My next car I will really look for another AWD to 4WD option.

Ah. The unicorn model. Jealous.

[AK47bp]

All the factory wheels are the same bolt pattern so you could run the 20s as summers and 17s with real snow tires in the winter. You just have to be a little careful with the tires and offsets to avoid rubbing.

I watched a video on that and there seems to be some wheel well rubbing and modifications needed to accommodate. Seems DIY though.

[Mazderati]

Considerable time in both. Better three-quarters has a GX with an AWD system similar to the 4R Limited. They both work. What's the question again?

[steeznutz]

I watched a video on that and there seems to be some wheel well rubbing and modifications needed to accommodate. Seems DIY though.

It *should* be possible without too much trouble, but you never really know until you do it. I think the other thing to watch out for is brake rotors that fit well with 20" wheels, but may be too large for 17".

[bennymac]

I have nothing to add except I want to complain about my '97 being so old that I now have to almost come to a complete stop before shifting from 2WD into 4WD - not fun when driving on highways with variable snow coverage.

[Dantheman]

20s as summer wheels are great...if you never drive off road.

[AK47bp]

Considerable time in both. Better three-quarters has a GX with an AWD system similar to the 4R Limited. They both work. What's the question again?

Just if it’s worth it to switch from RWD SR5 with part time 4WD to the Limited with full time 4WD and if anyone has experience driving both.

Apparently you shouldn’t be driving the SR5’s in 4WD over 50-60mph and I don’t like that.

[Mazderati]

Is AWD at 50+ on snow-covered, paved roads really providing anything more than a false sense of security? Waning drive traction suggests waning braking and steering traction and bigger problems. AWD is likely safer in general but not sure about the particular situation described.

[oldblue]

I had a 5th gen limited some years ago. Bought the Limited purely for the Torsen AWD system. Immediately removed the 20" wheels and put stock 17" wheels on without issue.

I also had a 4th gen with the Torsen AWD system. Torsen makes a great system as its gear based and it provides continuous power to front and rear axles but without the binding that is present in a locked 4wd system. Ideal for the on-road use you describe.

My current vehicles are: a traditional locked 4wd which is what you have now. It's fine but turns and mixed conditions are a hassle. Also have a clutch based AWD/4WD system and it delivers unpredictable handling in AWD as the clutch modulates power to the front axle. The Toyota/Lexus Torsen system is so much better.

For the driving you are doing I'd make the swap.

[AK47bp]

Is AWD at 50+ on snow-covered, paved roads really providing anything more than a false sense of security? Waning drive traction suggests waning braking and steering traction and bigger problems. AWD is likely safer in general but not sure about the particular situation described.

It’s more of not having to think about it. If I’m cruising up and over the pass at 80mph and it starts snowing or I hit snow covered roads, most drivers aren’t dropping speed to 40-50mph unless it’s really dumping (unfortunately).

With a RWD with part time 4WD you have to make a decision, keep going with traffic flow in RWD or merge far right and reduce speed to under 50mph, switch to 4WD, then continue on. Then once back on clear roads do the same thing, merge right drop to below 50mph, switch back to RWD.

More of an annoyance and I’m lazy.

[AK47bp]

I had a 5th gen limited some years ago. Bought the Limited purely for the Torsen AWD system. Immediately removed the 20" wheels and put stock 17" wheels on without issue.

I also had a 4th gen with the Torsen AWD system. Torsen makes a great system as its gear based and it provides continuous power to front and rear axles but without the binding that is present in a locked 4wd system. Ideal for the on-road use you describe.

My current vehicles are: a traditional locked 4wd which is what you have now. It's fine but turns and mixed conditions are a hassle. Also have a clutch based AWD/4WD system and it delivers unpredictable handling in AWD as the clutch modulates power to the front axle. The Toyota/Lexus Torsen system is so much better.

For the driving you are doing I'd make the swap.

Good info. Thanks!

[Flounder]

I’ve had a 2010 limited since new. One of the reasons I went limited was the full time AWD, easier for the missus. Plus the dual climate control is pretty sweet. Ditched the 20” rims for 17” rims with no issues. The XREAS suspension is good but after 60k I yanked it and threw on a Toytec lift kit. Put it up about 2 3/4”. I’ve taken it up some pretty nasty trails in 4lo so the full time AWD doesn’t hinder off-road capability at all.

I got decent money selling the 20” rims to a guy with a tundra. Not my cup of tea but people do like the 20’s.

[Ted Striker]

The 55/62 mph is just for shifting. You can drive as fast as you dare. But I totally get what you're saying. "Mixed" driving is a PITA. And if you're not doing any actual off-roading, the full-time 4wd is more than adequate for the ski hill - and better in some city situations like patchy ice. If I didn't live up here in hillbilly country, I'd probably gravitate more toward the Limited (or one of the sweet GX460s I see around town).

If you're talking new, I think the considerations are do you want things like adaptive cruise control, LED headlights (jury's still out on that one) + auto high beams, CarPlay and AA, and all the TSS stuff. If all that plus new car smell appeals to you then I don't really see a downside. You should get an excellent trade value on your (09-12?) and the accompanying sales tax reduction. The B'ham dealer just asked me to outright sell them my 19.

Going back to the silly bling wheels, and with the caveat that unless something changed for 2022-23...

On 5th gens it's a straight swap from the Limited 20x7 to any of the oem 17x7 with 15mm offset. 4Runner brakes are tiny. The 17x7.5 oem "off-road" wheels shouldn't rub either unless one goes crazy with tire size. It's the Sema & TRD Pro wheels with 4mm offset where you'd run into problems.

[ColMan]

You should able to get a used GX460 for similar money. V8 FTW

[skivan]

100 series LC w/ AWD/Torsen diff or locked. Love it that my wife (and I) don’t have to think about it when in mixed conditions. Have driven the limited w same system and like it too. Gx460 should be on the list (at least the ‘better looking’ ones till 2013(?))

[AK47bp]

As much as I’d love a LC or GX460 my budget is 40k or less and I want something with under 50k miles if possible.

Not sure if the Iink works but seems to be some decent options around 40k and under 50k miles.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

[davjr96]

Do the 5th gen limiteds also allow locking the center diff? If so it is really hard to beat the versatility.

[AK47bp]

The 55/62 mph is just for shifting. You can drive as fast as you dare. But I totally get what you're saying. "Mixed" driving is a PITA. And if you're not doing any actual off-roading, the full-time 4wd is more than adequate for the ski hill - and better in some city situations like patchy ice. If I didn't live up here in hillbilly country, I'd probably gravitate more toward the Limited (or one of the sweet GX460s I see around town).

If you're talking new, I think the considerations are do you want things like adaptive cruise control, LED headlights (jury's still out on that one) + auto high beams, CarPlay and AA, and all the TSS stuff. If all that plus new car smell appeals to you then I don't really see a downside. You should get an excellent trade value on your (09-12?) and the accompanying sales tax reduction. The B'ham dealer just asked me to outright sell them my 19.

Going back to the silly bling wheels, and with the caveat that unless something changed for 2022-23...

On 5th gens it's a straight swap from the Limited 20x7 to any of the oem 17x7 with 15mm offset. 4Runner brakes are tiny. The 17x7.5 oem "off-road" wheels shouldn't rub either unless one goes crazy with tire size. It's the Sema & TRD Pro wheels with 4mm offset where you'd run into problems.

Thanks. I don’t care about new but seems like you can get a new Limited for around 50k verse a used one for 40k +.

Is buying someone else’s fart filled seats with 50k miles worth saving 10k?

First world decisions.

[Ted Striker]

Do the 5th gen limiteds also allow locking the center diff?

Yes if they have the selector knob with H4F-H4L-L4L (High 4 Free/High 4 Locked/Low 4 Locked)

[Ted Striker]

Ha, yeah. I'd approach it as "what's the net?" vs "how much hassle?"

[klauss]

The torsen AWD is so good for traveling into and out of the snow zone. Love having vs. just a straight 4wd system. Then you have the additional option to lock the center diff. The 2008-2022 sequoia has it as well, but unfortunately they are not doing it in the updated 2023 sequoia.