Hi, I just got a Townace 4wd Year=2000 (nice van) but its got no selectors etc for the 4WD so it's obviously always on, anybody can tell me what type of 4WD it is. Centre diff or viscous or whatever or any kind of lead to the info, Thanks.

- (#14527) Mick.B, 12 Dec 04 10:42

It will have locking/freewheeling front hubs and there should be a 4WD selector button, on the dash, to the left of the steering wheel. No, no centre diff nor is it a viscous drive. The 4WD is via a vacuum operated transfer gear to the front diff. Damage to the transmission will result if it is run on dry tarmac as, with this system, "slippage" is necessary somewhere on the two axles. You should find, hopefully, that the front hubs are already running in the "free" position. They can be left locked but, dependant upon the road surface, ie, dry tarmac,icy, muddy, loose gravel or sand, the dashboard switch must be used accordingly. It's best to keep the hubs free though, as intermittent switching, of the dasboard button, can result in 4WD being overlooked and dry tarmac motoring quickly damaging the transmission.

- (#14527) John Davis (Leics), 12 Dec 04 11:19

Uh, hang on a mo. 2000? It's got a bonnet then, no? If so, it's a Noah, and we know next to damn all about them! I'll guess it's a viscous centre diff tho. Search around, I think the Toyota corporate site in Japan will have info...

- (#14527) david miller, 12 Dec 04 12:21

Sorry Mick, I'm behind the times but, if your Noah is half as good as my 4WD Masterace, you'll be very pleased indeed.

- (#14527) John Davis (Leics), 12 Dec 04 14:05

Hi Dave Miller.

Thanks for the suggestion, yes its got a semi bonnet and it is almost a Noah (which is the super deluxe version), mine is a townace (which is the next level down in trim etc and no seats in the back) but it is 4WD and Autobox, definately always on 4WD and no hub locks etc to see from outside.

I have spent hours on the web trying to find details of the 4WD system but it seems to be a Toyota secret!

Regards
Mick

- (#14527) Mick B, 16 Dec 04 11:04

Hi

Well if anybody is interested I got fed up trying to find the details and did it the hard way by lifting up various wheels and axles and trying to drive it off the blocks.

The 4wd Townace model CR52V(and Noah)is:-
Always on 4WD, direct drive to the rear axle and a viscous coupling drive to the front axle. The front and rear axles have normal differential in them.

Regards
Mick Baker

- (#14527) Mick Baker, 26 Dec 04 09:41