Part-time 4WD system living in Utah / Colorado winters?

[lardo]

New to 4runner. I’m looking into a 4runner to replace a Grand Cherokee V8 Trailhawk.
I was surprised to discover that 4runner doesn’t provide an off-road trim with full-time 4WD.
I see lots of 4runners TRD trims in Utah & Colorado, so there’s lots of people driving part-time 4WD systems in mixed weather conditions like Utah and Colorado winters.

I guess another option is to get a 4runner Limited, then replace their 20” street wheels & tires and lose the rear locker & MTS modes.

I wasn’t considering a Bronco (since I’ll never remove roof or doors), but looks like they provide an AWD mode in addition to 2WD and 4WD hi & low.

Maybe I’m putting too much emphasis on getting another full-time 4WD system. Any thoughts or recommendations from owners living in areas with mixed winter road conditions?

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[Maximus4R]

I recently (like the last week) ended up in a Limited, one reason was getting the full time 4WD. I'm just so used to having it in recent vehicles and really enjoy the peace of mind. I feel dirty giving up the locker but realistically I won't ever use it. I am new to Toyota this year - so take this accordingly - but I didn't really understand the value in the MTS modes and have never used crawl control off roading outside of the Bronco Off-Rodeo. I also wanted the dual climate, color matched goodies, upgraded headlights, and wanted the hybrid anyway for a few (admittedly dumb) reasons.


I know this is no help because you're looking for real world thoughts. I will say that I have had a few Broncos with their auto 4WD system and they were all amazing. I never took the top off and the trade offs weren't worth the capability boost so I ended up moving on from it though. Warranty issues and interior build quality were the main deal breakers for me.

 

[brumey]

In great summary and certainly not from an expert in either 4WD or Toyota, I recommend AWD for your location and intended use. This is assuming you intend on using the 4R in mixed weather condition on the road. If only on the trail/off-road, the Part-time $WD might be fine.

 

[spelingbeachampeun]

I live in Michigan. I’ve got a 2025 Trailhunter (part-time 4WD). This year so far for us has been pretty mixed winter weather conditions. The tires seem to do really really well in snow on the Trailhunter - I can’t speak for the other trims. But the traction control system is also really quite good. The only time I felt better/more confident in a full-time 4WD or an AWD system than I do in my Trailhunter is accelerating quick on a slippery surface while turning off a side street. Otherwise I’d take my 4Runner in 2-Hi over the others in any situation. My wife even commented on how surprised she was with how confident the vehicle felt while driving in the snow, in 2Hi. She drives a full-time 4WD (2020 Navigator). I had an SH-AWD Acura MDX before this. That did great in the snow. I prefer the 4Runner.

As someone who shared your same concerns of part-time 4WD, don’t let that be a sticking point for you. Just an hour ago I got back from a 2-hour round trip in freezing sleet where a surprising number of others were driving exceptionally slow with their hazards on and I didn’t notice a concern at all with cruise control set to 73.

 

[Gumpus]

New to 4runner. I’m looking into a 4runner to replace a Grand Cherokee V8 Trailhawk.
I was surprised to discover that 4runner doesn’t provide an off-road trim with full-time 4WD.
I see lots of 4runners TRD trims in Utah & Colorado, so there’s lots of people driving part-time 4WD systems in mixed weather conditions like Utah and Colorado winters.

I guess another option is to get a 4runner Limited, then replace their 20” street wheels & tires and lose the rear locker & MTS modes.

I wasn’t considering a Bronco (since I’ll never remove roof or doors), but looks like they provide an AWD mode in addition to 2WD and 4WD hi & low.

Maybe I’m putting too much emphasis on getting another full-time 4WD system. Any thoughts or recommendations from owners living in areas with mixed winter road conditions?

My main thought is that the right answer for you may well be different than for me. I'm near 10 years wirh my 5th Gen and also live in Michigan and I just do not mind shifting in and out of 4WD and if I bought a 6th Gen for myself it wouldn't be a big consideration. But for you a few things to consider...

- it launches much harder from a dead stop in 4WD on snow/ice

- I may have to switch in/out of 4WD a few times just leaving my neighborhood; I don't even notice but you might consider it a hassle to switch in/out a dozen times when running errands

- if you're worried about damaging the driveline using 4WD when you shouldn't, it's easy to develop a feel for it and the vehicle is tough

- if I was sharing the vehicle with my wife then full time 4WD would be a big consideration

- I'm sure the Limited is still a beast. My SR5 is more capable than I am.

 

[Turbo8]

New to 4runner. I’m looking into a 4runner to replace a Grand Cherokee V8 Trailhawk.
I was surprised to discover that 4runner doesn’t provide an off-road trim with full-time 4WD.
I see lots of 4runners TRD trims in Utah & Colorado, so there’s lots of people driving part-time 4WD systems in mixed weather conditions like Utah and Colorado winters.

I guess another option is to get a 4runner Limited, then replace their 20” street wheels & tires and lose the rear locker & MTS modes.

I wasn’t considering a Bronco (since I’ll never remove roof or doors), but looks like they provide an AWD mode in addition to 2WD and 4WD hi & low.

Maybe I’m putting too much emphasis on getting another full-time 4WD system. Any thoughts or recommendations from owners living in areas with mixed winter road conditions?

Did you look at any of the Land Cruiser 250 or GX550 trims?

 

[CO/ZA]

Colorado, especially Denver, is dry more often than not.

Sure we get snow, but it tends to disappear quickly.

Part time 4WD has been suitable thus far me, as I engage it mostly on trails.

 

[DI Transplant]

I still have the 5th gen with part time 4x4 and live and travel in CO quite a bit to ski. I usually get in around 25-30 days driving back and forth on I-70 and need 4x4 about half the time. I would prefer the option of having all time AWD with also having a locked 4hi/lo for off-roading but can manage without it. Sometimes it's hard to tell when there is going to be snow on the road and whether I'll need to shift to 4 Hi or not. I also don't want to slow down below 60mph when traffic is moving along at 70+ to shift into 4 Hi if snow appears on the road. So in general If I think there will be snow on the highway I put it in 4 Hi earlier than I need to. At least at highway speeds with wide turns the driveline doesn't seem to bind up and it isn't an issue. I've driven thousands of miles on dry highways in 4 Hi over the years as a result.

On other roads I just shift 4 Hi on/off if I need it. If the road is snow covered I leave it in 4 Hi. If it's sporadic then I usually leave it in 4 Hi and shift into 2WD if I need to make a tighter turn at a red light/parking lot, etc.

It would be really nice to have the AWD in addition to the 4x4, but personally if I buy a 6th gen I would still choose the trims that have the part time 4x4 to get the offroad fun vs choosing the AWD trims. I guess I'd rather have a rear locker even though the AWD would likely be useful more often.

 

[MartyMcFly]

I drove a part-time 4WD 5th Gen for a decade in Colorado. I now have a 6th Gen. I have been very happy with part time. Most of my driving is rural Elbert County and every other week I head to Denver though I am regularly off road for fishing, camping and hiking all the time. I haven't found shifting and out of 4HI cumbersome at all.

My kids are driving an AWD Highlander which has been great for our family as well.

 

[ColoradoOutdoors]

New to 4runner. I’m looking into a 4runner to replace a Grand Cherokee V8 Trailhawk.
I was surprised to discover that 4runner doesn’t provide an off-road trim with full-time 4WD.
I see lots of 4runners TRD trims in Utah & Colorado, so there’s lots of people driving part-time 4WD systems in mixed weather conditions like Utah and Colorado winters.

I guess another option is to get a 4runner Limited, then replace their 20” street wheels & tires and lose the rear locker & MTS modes.

I wasn’t considering a Bronco (since I’ll never remove roof or doors), but looks like they provide an AWD mode in addition to 2WD and 4WD hi & low.

Maybe I’m putting too much emphasis on getting another full-time 4WD system. Any thoughts or recommendations from owners living in areas with mixed winter road conditions?

I hear you. My driving is constant changing conditions, dry to black ice and snowpack, depending on sun exposure. It is frustrating that there is not even an auto mode in most 4Runner trims. Even our GMC HD diesel and GMC Canyon have that drive mode. One consideration - are you the sole driver? Sounds like to me that you would remember to change modes as needed. I have a teenager that would run it in 4hi all the time. So hence we chose Canyon over Tacoma TRD offroad for that "shared" vehicle.

 

[LLL1990]

If the FT4WD is a priority for you, have you considered a Land Cruiser? It has FT4WD and you can get MTS and rear locker.

 

[oxmodius]

Northern Utah resident here. I have no problems turning the 4wd dial when necessary. You can change to 4wd up to about 60 mph. 2wd does great in wet and mixed conditions with decent tires. Ice, packed / deeper snow, or off roading I turn it to 4wd.
Imo, I wouldn't base your decision on what trim to go with based on the full time 4wd functionality. More of an added bonus. Just my two cents.
The limited looks like an awesome trim! I am sure you wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[lardo]

Thanks for all the responses, mucho appreciated!!

To answer a few questions.
- I did look briefly at Land Cruiser & GX trims. For the Land Cruiser, I’d want to replace the 20” street wheels & tires and it has an even smaller sized gas tank (I currently have a 24 gal tank - so I’ll take a hit on range whatever I do). But I’m still considering the LC.
- I’ll be the solo driver, so I think I’d remember to switch between 4-Hi & 2-Hi on roads as needed; just something I’ve haven’t had to think about lately. I’m probably being too paranoid about touching dry pavement in 4-Hi during changing road conditions.

Northern Utah resident here. I have no problems turning the 4wd dial when necessary. You can change to 4wd up to about 60 mph. 2wd does great in wet and mixed conditions with decent tires. Ice, packed / deeper snow, or off roading I turn it to 4wd.
Imo, I wouldn't base your decision on what trim to go with based on the full time 4wd functionality. More of an added bonus. Just my two cents.
The limited looks like an awesome trim! I am sure you wouldn't be disappointed.

Multiple comments about how well the 4runner does in 2-Hi with good tires in mixed conditions.
I grew up in Utah driving RWDs through lots of crazy winter conditions. Back then, if we had traction control and the ability to easily switch to 4-Hi - that would have been incredible. We have many great options today.

I was initially thinking a non-hybrid ORP, but started also considering a Limited for full-time 4WD. Both would be great. Thanks again for all the comments and thoughts.

 

[Turbo8]

Thanks for all the responses, mucho appreciated!!

To answer a few questions.
- I did look briefly at Land Cruiser & GX trims. For the Land Cruiser, I’d want to replace the 20” street wheels & tires and it has an even smaller sized gas tank (I currently have a 24 gal tank - so I’ll take a hit on range whatever I do). But I’m still considering the LC.
- I’ll be the solo driver, so I think I’d remember to switch between 4-Hi & 2-Hi on roads as needed; just something I’ve haven’t had to think about lately. I’m probably being too paranoid about touching dry pavement in 4-Hi during changing road conditions.



Multiple comments about how well the 4runner does in 2-Hi with good tires in mixed conditions.
I grew up in Utah driving RWDs through lots of crazy winter conditions. Back then, if we had traction control and the ability to easily switch to 4-Hi - that would have been incredible. We have many great options today.

I was initially thinking a non-hybrid ORP, but started also considering a Limited for full-time 4WD. Both would be great. Thanks again for all the comments and thoughts.

You can get the LC with 18s.

The range on the LC isn't a good selling point, not much better on the 4runner. GX has a ~21 gallon tank.

 

[mdmountainman]

New to 4runner. I’m looking into a 4runner to replace a Grand Cherokee V8 Trailhawk.
I was surprised to discover that 4runner doesn’t provide an off-road trim with full-time 4WD.
I see lots of 4runners TRD trims in Utah & Colorado, so there’s lots of people driving part-time 4WD systems in mixed weather conditions like Utah and Colorado winters.

I guess another option is to get a 4runner Limited, then replace their 20” street wheels & tires and lose the rear locker & MTS modes.

I wasn’t considering a Bronco (since I’ll never remove roof or doors), but looks like they provide an AWD mode in addition to 2WD and 4WD hi & low.

Maybe I’m putting too much emphasis on getting another full-time 4WD system. Any thoughts or recommendations from owners living in areas with mixed winter road conditions?

I just bought a Limited for the exact same reasons. I live in MD and winters always provide mixed roads where FT4wd is best. My limited does have a selector for hoth 4wH and 4wL as well. My understanding is that this driveline just changes the ratio of power given front and back and is absolutely great except in situations where you expect wheels to start coming off the ground like rock crawling. I have no plans to ever be in that situation so the FT4wd makes way more sense. There is a 2 speed transfer case with a locking center differential. It is not a sloppy AWD.

I took the air dam off for more offroad (and curb) clearance and have skid plates coming.
Otherwise the additional suspension upgrades like the sway bar disconnect will never be needed unless you think you’re going to need serious wheel travel on rocks.
My .02

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