100 VS V8 4Runner Drive Train

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04UZJ100

04UZJ100

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What are the similarities and differences. I know that they share the same 2UZFE engine (my 07 4r has VVT-i) whereas my mom's 04 LC does not. What else do they share.

I assume that the 5 speed trans is the same, the 4r has the Torsion Center Diff whereas the LC does not which is "better"?

Are the axles/diffs/drive shafts the same because I believe they have VERY close wheelbases.

Just wondering...

Thanks!
 
The 03-04 4Runners use the non VVti V8 which is similar to the 03-06 LC100 V8. 05+ V8 4Runner use the VVTi engine, and the LC 100 got it in 06-07. The engine output for the engines are slightly different due to exhaust and soem tuning, but the engine is the same in both.

The 03+ 4Runner came out with the A750 transmission, same as the LC100 that came with the new (at the time) A750 5spd auto. In 04+ the 4Runner started using the A750 with the new WS ATF and took away the dipstick, not sure if and when they did it on the LC100. Pre 03 the 100 used 4 spd auto.

The transfer case is different on the 100, and the 100 uses a gear driven case vs the chain the 4Runner. 4Runner also uses solenoid switching between H and L.

Frotn diff on both are 8", but different setup. 4Runner has pumpkin on driver side ( I believe the 100 has the pumpkin on passenger side). Both are clamshell. Front diff on 100 seems to be weak and an ARB locker will help out a lot, not an issue on the lighter 4Runner/FJC and Taco though.

Rear diff on 4Runner is also 8" diff from mini truck still. Seems ot be a problem iof wheeled hard and a solid pinion spacer and ARB locker seems to help a lot. LC100 has a much beefier off center pumpkin rear axle, that seems to be trouble free (9" or 9.5" IIRC). Both rear axles are semi float and not full float. SO you better not bust the axle shaft. Axle shaft diameter is slightly bigger and more splines on the 100 rear axles vs the 4Runner, according to ARB spec sheet.

Driveshafts seem to be different both front and rear.

So engines and transmissions are the same pending year. Front diff are different, but similar size. Rear axle the 100 is beefier than 4Runner. Transfer case is very different.
 
bulldog-yota said:
So engines and transmissions are the same pending year.
Click to expand...
Just to repeat what was mentioned in the other thread in the 100 section, the 4runner transmission though similar in design has aluminum planetary gears where as the 100 has steel planetary gears, an added 200 lbs. Also, the LC engine was built in Japan where as the 4Runner engine is built in the US.
 
hoser said:
Just to repeat what was mentioned in the other thread in the 100 section, the 4runner transmission though similar in design has aluminum planetary gears where as the 100 has steel planetary gears, an added 200 lbs. Also, the LC engine was built in Japan where as the 4Runner engine is built in the US.
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I don't know anything about the gears but you are saying they export a V8 from the USA and send it to Tahara, Japan to put into the 4Runner?
What about the GX470 on the same assembly line?

I seem to remember they are labeled 95% JPN content and JPN engine & trans manufactured... price check bulldog?
 
hoser said:
Just to repeat what was mentioned in the other thread in the 100 section, the 4runner transmission though similar in design has aluminum planetary gears where as the 100 has steel planetary gears, an added 200 lbs. Also, the LC engine was built in Japan where as the 4Runner engine is built in the US.
Click to expand...

Interesting, can you provide verified references for that info?
 
Here is an excerpt from the 03 introduction of the 4th Gen 4Runner in Toyota literature.

"
IV. TRANSMISSIONS
A. A340E-i (V6 2WD) & A340F (4WD)
1. electronically-controlled 4 spd automatic
2. sim to current 4AT in V6 4Runner, Tundra, Tacoma
B. A750E-i (V8 2WD) & A750F-i (4WD)
1. Toyota’s 1st use of 5 A/T in a truck
a. five ratios from just three planetary gearsets
1) no weight penalty compared to A340
b. four of the five ratios are lower than the A340,
OD 5th is slightly higher
Engine Type 2UZ-FE 4.7L V8 1GR-FE 4.0L V6
Drive Train 2WD*
4WD
full-time
2WD*
4WD
multi-mode
Transmission A750E A750F A340E A340F
I 3.520 Ü 2.804 Ü
II 2.042 Ü 1.531 Ü
III 1.400 Ü 1.000 Ü
IV 1.000 Ü 0.705 Ü
V 0.716 Ü – –
R 3.224 Ü 2.393 Ü
Transfer Case
Reduction Ratio
– 2.566 – 2.566
Final Drive Ratio 3.727 3.909
* (2WD model only for USA)
Gear Ratio
(counter gear
ratio included)
c. good combination of acceleration & economy
d. All-new in the 4Runner (also in LX 470 & LC 100)
e. not related to current Tundra or Sequoia 4ATs

"

I think people might be confusing the old 4spd AT in the pre 03 LC100, as all the literature I have seen states the 5spd AT in the 03+ LC100 is the same as the A750 found in the 4Runner and other applications.

I will see if I can find more info for the 03 LC100 intro material in regards to the tranny vs the old 4spd unit.

I don't see Toyota going to the trouble of making 2 completely different units with the same model number, but stranger things have happened.
 
Here is the description from TIS for the 03 LC100 A750F transmission. Notice the 02 vs 03 transmission differences listed A343F to A750F.

Also note the fact that the front planetary gear is also aluminum, same as the 4Runner.

http://www.ezdries.net/Vidpics/temp/A750F_Automatic_Transmission.pdf

So I'm not sure where the info came from that the transmissions were different between the 4Runner and LC100 as they are the same. Makes no sense to make transmissions with the same model number and change something as fundamental as the planetary gear material.

Nor do I know where the 200lbs weight difference comes from as the trannies weighs less than 200lbs.

The V6 engine in the 4Runner weighs 200lbs less than the V8 engine in the 4Runner and LC 100 though, due to aluminum vs iron block (and 2 extra cylinders).
 
Since I had to look at the spec sheets.

The 100 rear diff is 9.5", I couldn't recall if it was 9 or 9.5 (maybe the 80 is 9.0 which confused me at the time).. The driveshaft diameters are also larger than the 4Runner.


Anyway going to TIS (techinfo.toyota.com) and looking at the NCF (New Car Features) for a model and year can provide you with lots of specific tech info. Much better and more accurate than reading stuff on message boards and soem mag editors.
 
Once again, I'm sorry for giving ya'll bum dope. The person who originally posted the info about the tranny usually has accurate info. I did not question/verify it simply because I don't have an A750F and so I didn't give it much thought. Thank you for the correction. I will pass this info along when it comes up again.
 
hoser said:
Once again, I'm sorry for giving ya'll bum dope. The person who originally posted the info about the tranny usually has accurate info. I did not question/verify it simply because I don't have an A750F and so I didn't give it much thought. Thank you for the correction. I will pass this info along when it comes up again.
Click to expand...

No prob, everyone makes mistakes. That is why it is good to get info listed to avoid assumptions being made on faulty info.

For completeness sake here are the sheets for the 03 4Runner tranny. Interestingly enough the 4RUnner tranny is listed as weighing more than the LC100 one. Might just be the connection for the transfer, and some other casing items.

http://www.ezdries.net/Vidpics/temp/a750ea75.pdf
http://www.ezdries.net/Vidpics/temp/a750e1.pdf
http://www.ezdries.net/Vidpics/temp/a750e.pdf

The 5spd is a very nice tranny though, one of the best auto trannies I have used offroad. Nice low 1st gear compared to older 4spds, and also locks itself in gear when you go downhill in 4Lo. SO far I have not heard of any failures either (apart from folks drowning it in water or using the wrong ATF). So it seems be a good egg.
 
Wow, guys thank you SO much for the constructive un-biased info regarding the differences. I started a thread in the 100 forum that is almost exactly the same and everyone was saying that it doesnt compare and this and that yadda yadda yadda.

Are there any benefits to utilizing a Torsen system?

The 200 series now has it, not the same as the 4R as I recall it was specifically designed for that application.

Lastly, how does the frame differ? I know both a super-strong and the LC's was the strongest in the world when debuted in 98 but the 03+ 4R and 100LC have the exact wheel base (I think 112").

Thanks again guys for this INFORMATIVE stuff!
 
03+ 4R and 100LC have the exact wheel base (I think 112").
Click to expand...

4runner/GX wheelbase is about 3 inches smaller.

Are there any benefits to utilizing a Torsen system?
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I would go with the Torsen over the 100 series any day. The Torsen really benefits with slippery conditions such as ice etc. There is a guy around claiming that he got his 4runner PT Torsen diff 4 runner stuck and he had to lock the centre differential to get out. Well big deal..I once got the Lx470 stuck and needed to lock the centre diff to get out as well. Plus..Truck Trend did a comparo of large full size SUVs in 2005 and the Land Cruiser came dead last...they even mentioned that yes the 4wd system in the 100 series is classic but it is way out of date.

I have had some long term use of both the LX470 and 4runner many times both in 4wd v8 form and the biggest difference I noticed was that that all the electronic nannies worked more frequently when I was driving the LX than when I was driving the Torsen equipped 4runner on the same trails which were usually convered with mud or ice. The LX for felt more like it performing at its extreme limits on the same trail whereas 4runner seemed like it was not bothered at all.

Yes the LX felt more heavy but for some reason the 4runner felt more like a machine doing what it was supposed to do.
 
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eskimochaos said:
Are there any benefits to utilizing a Torsen system?

The 200 series now has it, not the same as the 4R as I recall it was specifically designed for that application.

Lastly, how does the frame differ? I know both a super-strong and the LC's was the strongest in the world when debuted in 98 but the 03+ 4R and 100LC have the exact wheel base (I think 112").

Thanks again guys for this INFORMATIVE stuff!
Click to expand...

No prob.

The torsen diff seems to be handy at speed, for slow going rust and rocks you lock the center diff. However at speed like a desert road, the limited slip (torsen) center diff helps to get power to the front axle instead of just spinning out the rear when pushing it fast and hard through the corners. I think on slippery snow and ice roads it will help in the same way. I believe the LC80 used a viscious coupling to perform the same function, though they were probably never driven as fast as the 4RUnner/FJC (stick) in these conditions. The 100 didn't have a center limited slip diff, which is a pity (but honestly not a huge deal unless you go fast in low traction environments which very few people do). So a limited slip center is not a new thing (80s had them), just the gear based Torsen application is pretty new for these type of trucks.

Problem is VSC spoils the fun in the 4Runner and IIRC the VSC cancel switch only came out in 06 for the 4Runner. Years before that you have to hack the system to get a cancel switch (which few people would do).

The best way I can describe it is the fact that SUbis and Evos use limited slip center diffs which are adjustable to get the proper traction for slippery conditions and going fast. 5000lbs+ trucks are hardly built to really go fast though.

I haven't seen specific data on the frame, so dunno. Nor have I measured the frame at different points. Maybe you can ask a vendor/dealer to measure all the dimensions of the frame rail at a couple of points as well as the gauge thickness of the steel used to get an idea (it wont truly tell you how torsional rigid it is) but at least you will get an idea.

LC 80/100/200 uses 112" wheelbase, which seems like a good one for that size vehicle. The 4Runner is shorter, lighter and smaller and uses 109.6" wheelbase.

BTW: Not sure what the point is re the frame, etc as there are no interchangeable parts or component leverage. It is however good to know that some parts of the driveline might be reused/interchanged if needs be.
 
Not really looking to swap parts. I was just curious as to what components these two vehicles share purely for informative purposes.
 
bulldog-yota said:
Here is the description from TIS for the 03 LC100 A750F transmission. Notice the 02 vs 03 transmission differences listed A343F to A750F.

Also note the fact that the front planetary gear is also aluminum, same as the 4Runner.

http://www.ezdries.net/Vidpics/temp/A750F_Automatic_Transmission.pdf

So I'm not sure where the info came from that the transmissions were different between the 4Runner and LC100 as they are the same. Makes no sense to make transmissions with the same model number and change something as fundamental as the planetary gear material.

Nor do I know where the 200lbs weight difference comes from as the trannies weighs less than 200lbs.

The V6 engine in the 4Runner weighs 200lbs less than the V8 engine in the 4Runner and LC 100 though, due to aluminum vs iron block (and 2 extra cylinders).
Click to expand...

All the information states that the front planetary "carrier" is aluminum not gears. Big difference, and they could have different componets in the LC/4runner transmissions. Doubt it but they could. I don't see it as an issue since transmission problems with either vehicles is not a issue.
 
SWUtah said:
All the information states that the front planetary "carrier" is aluminum not gears. Big difference, and they could have different componets in the LC/4runner transmissions. Doubt it but they could. I don't see it as an issue since transmission problems with either vehicles is not a issue.
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See the pdfs for the 4Runner transmission. Both are described in exactly the same way and weigh pretty much the same. In fact the 4Runner transmission is a few lbs more. They have the same internal components as far as all Toyota literate goes thus far.

And yes you are correct on both it is the front planetary carrier that is aluminum, not the gears. So much for reading skills and internet articles written by ill informed editors.
 
bulldog-yota said:
See the pdfs for the 4Runner transmission. Both are described in exactly the same way and weigh pretty much the same. In fact the 4Runner transmission is a few lbs more. They have the same internal components as far as all Toyota literate goes thus far.

And yes you are correct on both it is the front planetary carrier that is aluminum, not the gears. So much for reading skills and internet articles written by ill informed editors.
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I'm not worried about my transmission, now the exhuast manifolds and starter are another story :) I think based on another thread that some of the posters wanted more information so they could prove that their 4runner was superior to the LC/LX
 
SWUtah said:
I'm not worried about my transmission, now the exhuast manifolds and starter are another story :) I think based on another thread that some of the posters wanted more information so they could prove that their 4runner was superior to the LC/LX
Click to expand...

That is not the point of this thread nor was it of the other one I created. I hope that I have not made it appear that way.
 
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