NTH

Wow, lots of wrong info on this thread alone! There is no 2wd on the GX.
Selector should be on H like 99% of all the driving, even driving in snow/slippery condition. Selector on L only for crawling which a large majority of suv owners will never do. Neutral is almost never used unless you're servicing the truck. Do not put the transfer case in Neutral because car will roll even if the transmission is in Park.

IanB2

I don't really buy that, "4x4" is when the center diff is locked providing 50/50 power delivery to the front and rear axles, that's not what's going on in the GX470 when the center diff is unlocked. With the center diff unlocked, it's AWD. The presence of a low/hi transfer case doesn't mean the truck is in 4x4 all the time. We're arguing semantics at this point though.

cdew002

True, it is just semantics.

:-)But for the record, the GX is 4wd, not awd. 😆

IanB2

What does 4wd mean? Is it another term for 4x4 or AWD? Or something else altogether? It's nothing more than marketing speak IMO.

From Wikipedia:

4WD
Four wheel drive (4WD) refers to vehicles that have a transfer case, not a differential, between the front and rear axles, meaning that the front and rear drive shafts will be locked together when engaged. This provides maximum torque transfer to the axle with the most traction, but can cause binding in high traction turning situations. They are also either full-time or part-time 4WD selectable. 4WD is not intended for high speeds without a limited-slip mechanism.

AWD
All wheel drive (AWD) or "permanent multiple[2]-wheel drive" refers to a drive train system that includes a differential between the front and rear drive shafts.[3] This is normally coupled with some sort of anti-slip technology that will allow differentials to spin at different speeds, but still maintain the ability to transfer torque from one wheel in case of loss of traction at that wheel. Typical AWD systems work well on all surfaces, but are not intended for all consumers.[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-wheel_drive

So if that's to be believed (some people don't like wikipedia), 4wd has a transfer case, not a differential. The GX has both, so it doesn't really fit there, does it? AWD has a differential, and says nothing about not being able to also have a transfer case, seems like a better fit for our GX's to me.

Another link for those that are interested in some more reading:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...-differential/

So again, arguing semantics, made possible by marketers of years past. I'm going to keep calling our GX's full time AWD, as that's what makes the most sense IMO.

IanB2

Thinking about this some more, perhaps we need to differentiate between a drivetrain style and the mode it's operating in? I could get behind calling it a 4wd drivetrain, but in normal conditions it's operating in AWD mode, with selectable 4x4 mode via the CDL button. An acceptable compromise?

ALAN553

Towing the truck on all four wheels

ALAN553

When that center diff is locked, the front wheels turn at the same speed, hence the shudder when making a turn on dry pavement.

YoshiMan

Okay, in it's most basic theory:

4WD: Front and rear axles are driven at the same time. The front and rear drive shafts are locked at the same speed, which provides a 50/50 power split and more traction in more hardcore situations, but will cause the system to bind and lock up if you try to take a sharp corner on dry pavement, since the front and rear axles are traveling different distances when say, performing a u-turn.... for example:

In my 89 4runner, it only has an option to either engage or disengage the front driveshaft through the transfer case. so its either 4WD, or 2WD rear only. IF you lock it into 4WD, and try to make a sharp turn on dry pavement, the system will lock up and literally immobilize the truck.... it basically feels like you are trying to drive with the parking brake stuck on, and its REALLY bad for the gears in the transfercase to do this.

Pressing the
button on our GXs will lock the front and rear driveshafts together, and as a result, will put the truck in 4WD... better for deep snow and off road, but not good to use on dry pavement unless you are pretty much going straight.

AWD: in a nutshell, allows the front and rear driveshafts to rotate at different speeds, (hense, the center DIFFERENTIAL) so in essense providing drive to all four wheels, and allowing the car to make sharp corners and such without any issue. As a result, it will divide power from the front and rear depending on the situation, as opposed to 4WD which sends it 50/50 at all times. This is what our GXs are ALWAYS in under normal circumstances, and it should be fine for 95% of what we will ever be driving through..

alot of the 96+ 4runners, give you the option of 2WD, AWD, 4WD, and then a low range transfer case option for both, so with the addition of the center differential lock button, you technically have 5 drivetrain modes to pick from.


Yes, there are other systems which do other variances to that as well, but that it a rundown of both systems in their most basic form

cdew002

If you have a truck that is normally in 2wd until you shift into 4wd, you would say that is a 4wd truck if someone asked.

Likewise, if you have an awd truck that can shift to 4wd, you would say it is a 4wd.

Agree to disagree.

dundonrl

you can try driving it in the "N" position.. but you won't get very far.. (actually only as far as it will roll, since the transfer case is now in neutral).. you HAVE to be in either 4x4 high or 4x4 low to move.. the GX470 has a Torsen differential built into the transfer case that sends power to which ever set of tires need it most (front or rear) so you are ALWAYS in 4x4.. the only thing you can do is using the push button on the left hand part of the lower dash is lock the transfer case which sends power evenly between front and rear (ONLY do this if you are driving through deep snow, on ice or sand, something that has a low coefficient of friction because you WILL bust drive line components since the only thing that can slip now are the tires)

dundonrl

the first part, a 2wd pickup that you shift the transfer case to engage 4x4 is called a part time 4wd.. the Lexus GX470 is a full time 4wd(4x4) NOT AWD.. AWD does not have a low range transfer case, like the GX has..

http://4x4abc.com/4WD101/definition_full.html




Four wheel drive systems
"Full Time 4WD"





Full Time 4WD
also called permanent 4WD and constant 4WD


Main mode is 4WD. 4WD is used full time.

No 2WD mode available.

All four wheels are powered at all times. Operates well on dry pavement due to a center differential or equivalent device (planetary gears, etc).
Part Time 4WD does not have a center differential.



A center differential is essential for on-road use but can be detrimental for off-pavement use. When leaving pavement the center differential needs to be disabled (locked). It either locks automatically* or it has to be locked (disabled) manually.


Normal setting for on-road use and light duty off-road use is 4WD "high", also called high range.

For more torque 4WD "low", also called low range, is available. Low range provides substantially more torque to the wheels and allows slower speeds than in high range. 4 low does not provide more traction - it only provides more torque.


Full Time 4WD requires:

a transfer case

a center differential

two drive shafts

two axle differentials

two powered axles

Johnny Rad

I thought N was for "normal"
and R was for "race."

cdew002

This is the point I was making.

techrep

If you put the T-case in the "N" position... you go "NOWHERE" lol

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

Oh that... that's just an owner's manual I just keep it in case I sell later.