I have been reading for a few weeks and just recently signed up to post. I have pretty much decided on getting rid of my old truck and picking up the TTSE version of the fj cruiser after test driving one the other day, just depends on how quick I can sell my old truck (It's a thrilling tale of adventure and high intrigue, honest ).
Eventually, say a year or so, I will probably replace a lot of the stock skids/etc with aftermarket but for the moment I don't have time to monkey with it and it would be nice to have it for when I want to take a weekend to do some offroading or exploring, some of the options that come standard with the package are appealing and will save me some work too and I just like the color because its pretty nondescript. Eventually it will probably make its way into the expedition capable category as I become more of a hermit.
Having owned both all time four wheel drive and part time four wheel drive vehicles in the past and having only been able to test drive the automagic version of the FJ, I have a few questions about the different transmissions. I think that the standard is all time four wheel drive (even if the dealers don't ) and the auto is part time four wheel drive.
I would prefer all time four wheel drive because mostly when I realize I need it part time it generally wont engage because im stuck and my experience is that all time four wheel drive is generally a bit beefier than part time simply because it has to deal with always being on instead of only being meant for short durations.(my experience here is with an old jeep cherokee where the truck had to be moving to engage it and a newer g500 where its always on and you can lock all three diffs which was nice but overkill for what I was doing even then the truck still had to be rolling for them to lock) But I also like the convenience of the automatic (I do not tow things often so that is not a concern really). The control afforded by the standard is appealing. I haven't been able to find much information other than marketing on the particulars of the different systems.
Basically what I need are some informed oppinions on the pros/cons of the standard vs the automatic that go beyond the obvious.
IE:
Is the full time prone to breakage more than the part time?
Does it affect gas mileage more than slightly?
Is the full time four wheel drive really just alternating corners and three wheeldrive with the rear axle locked (jeeps are like this)?
Marketing info is not good at the specifics of if the rear is limited slip or a locker, I am pretty sure its limited slip but confirmation is good.
Basically I am looking for informed oppinions on which transmission is better overall and why you think so? I don't have enough information to make a decision. Any help is appreciated since I can't really find the info I need, even the 'read the stickies' would be great provided you point me in the direction of the right sticky<br>
Welcome to the forum! I think the FJ auto is great for offroading. I've yet to get stuck because it didn't engage. You'll find many threads on this subject. Usually it's called "auto vs. manual" or something like that. Here's a thread that I think you might find useful. In general, the MT with full time 4wd will use more gas. Not by much, but it does use more. Itake my FJ off road quite often and have not found the auto lacking.
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I have been reading for a few weeks and just recently signed up to post. I have pretty much decided on getting rid of my old truck and picking up the TTSE version of the fj cruiser after test driving one the other day, just depends on how quick I can sell my old truck (It's a thrilling tale of adventure and high intrigue, honest ).
Eventually, say a year or so, I will probably replace a lot of the stock skids/etc with aftermarket but for the moment I don't have time to monkey with it and it would be nice to have it for when I want to take a weekend to do some offroading or exploring, some of the options that come standard with the package are appealing and will save me some work too and I just like the color because its pretty nondescript. Eventually it will probably make its way into the expedition capable category as I become more of a hermit.
Having owned both all time four wheel drive and part time four wheel drive vehicles in the past and having only been able to test drive the automagic version of the FJ, I have a few questions about the different transmissions. I think that the standard is all time four wheel drive (even if the dealers don't ) and the auto is part time four wheel drive.
I would prefer all time four wheel drive because mostly when I realize I need it part time it generally wont engage because im stuck and my experience is that all time four wheel drive is generally a bit beefier than part time simply because it has to deal with always being on instead of only being meant for short durations.(my experience here is with an old jeep cherokee where the truck had to be moving to engage it and a newer g500 where its always on and you can lock all three diffs which was nice but overkill for what I was doing even then the truck still had to be rolling for them to lock) But I also like the convenience of the automatic (I do not tow things often so that is not a concern really). The control afforded by the standard is appealing. I haven't been able to find much information other than marketing on the particulars of the different systems.
Basically what I need are some informed oppinions on the pros/cons of the standard vs the automatic that go beyond the obvious.
IE:
Welcome to the Forum you will find everything you want to know and more here and we have some great people here as well. You are right that the auto is RWD (rear wheel drive) the Manual is AWD (all wheel drive) with a locking center diff. When you lock the center diff (HL or LL) it splits the power to the front and rear evenly.
Quote:
mjm previously said:
Is the full time prone to breakage more than the part time?
Non that I have seen
Quote:
mjm previously said:
Does it affect gas mileage more than slightly?
there is a difference the MT get a little less. I average for city driving about 12-13mpg (I do not drive slow though).
Quote:
mjm previously said:
Is the full time four wheel drive really just alternating corners and three wheeldrive with the rear axle locked (jeeps are like this)?
It is a 60 40 split. 60% to the rear and 40% to the front. The diffs are open (not locked) so really it is 2 wheel drive (one front and one rear at a time). Also I doubt the jeeps are locked in the rear on the street. If they were the inside rear tire would be make all kinds of noise while you turned.
Quote:
mjm previously said:
Marketing info is not good at the specifics of if the rear is limited slip or a locker, I am pretty sure its limited slip but confirmation is good.
there is a optional Rear E-locker this is a locker not a limited slip. You can only engage this in 4L(auto) or LL(MT) unless you hack. I have hacked mine and can turn it on in H, HL & LL (2 wheel drive/awd, 4 high and 4 low)
Quote:
mjm previously said:
Basically I am looking for informed oppinions on which transmission is better overall and why you think so? I don't have enough information to make a decision. Any help is appreciated since I can't really find the info I need, even the 'read the stickies' would be great provided you point me in the direction of the right sticky<br>
The auto will be easer to drive off road but the MT has a little lower gearing.
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I have the MT with Full Time 4X4. I have to say whole heartedly that it is awesome. I think were it really shines is in situations where you are just getting into terrain where you really need 4X4. You can just blast through like you were on pavement with out having to change anything. It's really good if you have to drive on slick roads fairly often (either muddy or snow/ice). Also, I have tried to spin-out on slick wet streets. It just won't do it. I have not even been able to get the TRAC to activate. Keep in mind I have not gone postal with it. However, in all the places around my home that my other vehicles will easily spin I have given it a pretty good shot. All you do is take off like a bat.
I think in serious 4X4 terrain the AT would be easier to handle. However, in competent hands I believe the MT would still have greater capability. The downside is the gas mileage with the MT is a little lower than the AT.
Also, you can easily change the lube in the MT yourself. Something that's pretty important to do if the truck goes for a swim. I think the AT is sealed for the life (or death) of the unit.
I'll try a search on 'auto vs. manual' I had not had much luck with the other terms i used to search with but I was overcomplicating it I think.
I don't know if they are still like this, the jeep cherokee I used to own had a limited slip rear and when you put it into four wheel drive the front would engage and behaved like it was a solid axle. Mine might have been specially broken to be that way, it was a long time and I vaguely remember it binding up a little when I used it a few times on flooded pavement. That is one of the things I am wondering about with the part time system.
The center diff locks on the manual? thats actually really nice.
It's good to know there is a hack to lock the optional rear locker in 4h, I was almost positive there would be, but confirmation is great.
I've had both an auto & currently a MT FJ (TRD). I like the MT so much more it's not even funny. As far as I'm concerned it's a matter of personal preference. Performance & reliability wise they are both excellent. I like the little extra control they MT gives over the AT. The AT still works great in situations where you want to downshift, but the low is a little lower on the MT.
I have the MT with Full Time 4X4. I have to say whole heartedly that it is awesome. I think were it really shines is in situations where you are just getting into terrain where you really need 4X4. You can just blast through like you were on pavement with out having to change anything. It's really good if you have to drive on slick roads fairly often (either muddy or snow/ice). Also, I have tried to spin-out on slick wet streets. It just won't do it. I have not even been able to get the TRAC to activate. Keep in mind I have not gone postal with it. However, in all the places around my home that my other vehicles will easily spin I have given it a pretty good shot. All you do is take off like a bat.
I think in serious 4X4 terrain the AT would be easier to handle. However, in competent hands I believe the MT would still have greater capability. The downside is the gas mileage with the MT is a little lower than the AT.
Also, you can easily change the lube in the MT yourself. Something that's pretty important to do if the truck goes for a swim. I think the AT is sealed for the life (or death) of the unit.
This is an interesting perspective. I'm sure that not many have had both AT and MT. Thanks for posting.
One correction though, the AT is not really sealed, there are drain and fill plugs much like the diffs, just no dip stick like you'd expect.. There some links here as to how to change or refresh the AT fluid. It's pretty much the same as a diff, with the exception of getting the level correct.
Hope it helps..
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). 
) and the auto is part time four wheel drive. 
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