4wd selection question - help needed pls

[CJ Coolfish]

Finally!

Just found this post, and NOW understand why I couldn't find anything about my gear setup on my surf, I have one of these 'crossover' surfs.

Glad to hear mine is rare, just a shame about the diff lock being left out, however, she hasn't been stuck yet and thankfully I hadn't driven her in 4wd on the road, only mud and tracks.

[TeaMonsta]

If any of you have the little toyota hand book "3rd gen" it shows the two types of 4wd, multi-mode & non multi-mode, so the 3rd gens do have both types of transmission.

I have one of those books. And my 3rd gen is the non multi-mode type; part-time 4wd only. More here: http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=77776

[yoshie]

Just found this post, and NOW understand why I couldn't find anything about my gear setup on my surf, I have one of these 'crossover' surfs.

Glad to hear mine is rare, just a shame about the diff lock being left out, however, she hasn't been stuck yet and thankfully I hadn't driven her in 4wd on the road, only mud and tracks.

Its a center diff not a locking differential the multi mode has no advantage over a non multi mode in the slippy stuff. It just allows AWD on the road should you fancy a little piece of mind when towing or similar.

[TeaMonsta]

Is it possible to convert a normal mode only set-up to the optional multi-mode set-up at a reasonable cost?

[BUSHWHACKER]

It is, but expensive.

You'll need a different transfercase, adapter housing, possibly front and/or rear propshaft and all the associated electronics.

[muddle]

Just out of curiosity, do these crossover surfs have front coil springs or torsion bars?

[yoshie]

Just out of curiosity, do these crossover surfs have front coil springs or torsion bars?

Its a 3rd gen so coils. some have smaller calipers with 15" wheels and no multi mode, other than that they are the same as all other 3rd gens.

[TeaMonsta]

It is, but expensive.

Thought it might be. Any idea of costs (just roughly)?

[Apache]

Does the 3rd gen combine engine and gearbox ECU in one box? I expect the looms are different. The early 3rd gens may have a 2nd gen loom and ECUs.

I expect it will be complex, expensive, and ultimately pointless. As Yoshie pointed out, when traction is poor enough that you *need* 4 wheel drive, both systems are the same, and on the 2nd gen, the transfer box is effectively working like a locked centre diff.

[TeaMonsta]

...when traction is poor enough that you *need* 4 wheel drive, both systems are the same...

You're right there. More of a nice to have than need to have.

[TonyN]

Once again.....

There is no 'crossover' 3rd Gen, the Non-Multi-mode 3rd Gens have completely different t-case and front axle to 2nd Gens, its just a part time 4WD 3rd Gen, available along side multimode 3rd Gens at you're local Toy dealer in Japan.

[CJ Coolfish]

Its a center diff not a locking differential the multi mode has no advantage over a non multi mode in the slippy stuff. It just allows AWD on the road should you fancy a little piece of mind when towing or similar.

So that means I can AWD when on hard surfaces without doing long term damage? (only when needed of course?)

[tashtego]

Awd

That's it. Also even if you are not towing, AWD gives you much more grip in general. If you have ever driven a Subaru or any other awd car you will know what I mean.. Here we get corollas and spacios and such type saloons with awd, originally meant for the Jap market I guess. People buy them online and get them shipped over. There are also some 80s and 100s series LCs and some Prados with permanent awd, you can't switch it off, bit like a defender ...
Cheers

[yoshie]

So that means I can AWD when on hard surfaces without doing long term damage? (only when needed of course?)

No as you don't have AWD you have 4WD options. You need the centre diff to stop axle wind, giving an AWD option on any surface.

A centre diff and what is commonly referred to as diff lock, are totally different things and your truck has neither.

[TonyN]

You'll confuse the hell out of him at this rate.

4H on a Multi-mode 3rd Gen is AWD. Use it anytime you like, it really dosn't matter, but a bit of a waste on normal road when you have 2H.

4HL locks the transfer case diff, this is for 'proper' offroading, and no good on hard surfaces.

4H is perfect for snowy roads and driving across fields/dirt where you have decent traction without digging holes or buggering up the surface like you would in 2H, You only need 4HL when it gets a big tougher going and the center diff starts working against you by taking power from one axle.

Work out how a diff works and what it does, then it becomes easy to understand how 2H and 4H will still only supply 100% power to one wheel, 4HL and 2HL supply 100% to one wheel on each axle.