@TheBat is right. Traditional 4x4 don't have center differentials. That is why they are part time only. If they had one they could be engaged all the time. However, that also comes with limitations as it would mean all power would be sent to a single wheel if it had no traction.As far as I can tell this is the case. The off-road trims don’t get a locking center diff either if I’m reading the press release right. That’s too bad — having driven a Jeep, Subaru, and two FJs with constant power to all four wheels, I won’t buy a vehicle without that. Especially for the TRD Pro that’s supposed to be focused on fast off road driving it makes no sense, full time 4WD is so helpful for that. And I’d rather get a Land Cruiser than one on the “premium” 4Runner trims.
I’m not sure what about Toyota’s full time 4WD system would make it worse off-road?Baiscally, the full time 4wd will be better in everyday driving and bad weather conditions but worse as an off-roader. However, I'm guessing it will at least get a limited slip rear diff. Plus wheel braking power transfer like most vehicles have now a days.
Sorry. What I was thinking about in my head was not having a rear locker where as the TRD trims (or at least the Off-Road trim) will. It probably still has a limited slip diff though. So yes, not that much of a difference. The locking center diff basically makes it the same as any 4wd that doesn't have a rear locker.I’m not sure what about Toyota’s full time 4WD system would make it worse off-road?
This is one thing I haven't sorted out from what's been posted. The full time 4WD LC has both center and read locking diffs. I assumed the full time 4WD 4Runners would too, and I still suspect that's the case, but when I read the press materials released so far it only says they will have a center diff lock, it doesn't mention the rear diff lock.Sorry. What I was thinking about in my head was not having a rear locker where as the TRD trims (or at least the Off-Road trim) will. It probably still has a limited slip diff though. So yes, not that much of a difference. The locking center diff basically makes it the same as any 4wd that doesn't have a rear locker.
The 5th Gen only had a rear locker in the Trail Edition/TRD OR and TRD Pro. The rest of the models including the full time 4wd Limited got an open rear diff with brake based traction control.This is one thing I haven't sorted out from what's been posted. The full time 4WD LC has both center and read locking diffs. I assumed the full time 4WD 4Runners would too, and I still suspect that's the case, but when I read the press materials released so far it only says they will have a center diff lock, it doesn't mention the rear diff lock.
Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case. Here is a zoom in of the center console on the 4Runner limited. It is a crop from the press material. As you can see, there is no rear diff lock control. You can see the settings on the 4wd shifter (L4L, H4L, and H4F) showing that it is a full time 4wd model.This is one thing I haven't sorted out from what's been posted. The full time 4WD LC has both center and read locking diffs. I assumed the full time 4WD 4Runners would too, and I still suspect that's the case, but when I read the press materials released so far it only says they will have a center diff lock, it doesn't mention the rear diff lock.