Benefits of push button 4WD??

MontyJoe · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 06:40 PM

Was having an oil change on my 04 sequoia yesterday, and decided to check out the 05 sequoia.

I noticed that they all use push buttons only, and they got rid of the 4 low / 4 high shift lever. Just voicing my opinion, but I think this sucks! Maybe Im old fashioned but I hope it comes back someday. Supposedly it was causing transmission problems or something?

I did notice that the landcrusier still has the 4WD shift lever though? I guess if you have enough money to buy the landcruiser they give you a "how not to destroy your transmission" class??

So I guess my questions are: what are the benefits of push button 4WD? Did they really take the shift lever away due to inexperienced drivers? Or did they take it away because people are getting lazier and lazier?

Call me a hillbilly but Id rather have a manual tranny, and manual 4WD in a Sequoia than VVTI and GPS / Navigation... Im just hitting my 30's and Im feeling old fashioned.

It seems like if Toyota gives you something thats supposedly better on one hand, they are damn sure to take something away on another. There are a few things they took away from the 04 model that I was dissapointed to see go.

Thanks for listening..

Monty Joe

bruin · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 08:27 PM

Hmmm.....I'm well used to manual low range/awd/4wd systems, so whats Toyota up to by doing this?
My guess, the US market is full of many lazy people, who want the ability to go off road, while being insulated from (sacasm please) the mechanical goings on under the hood. Having Toyota dealers ever few miles to fix things helps too.
As for the Land Cruiser, thats sold with diesels/vinyl seats stick shifts in most of the rest of the world. Simplicity in the african/australian bush is the only way to survive.

Johnnny Rock · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2005, 03:31 AM

I think it's all about convenience and a nice look. I think of it like power windows, it's nice to have but it is just something else to break. But that's all it is, it's just a little electric motor switching your transfer case just like the manual stick did. I know what you mean though I thought the same way as you did but after a few weeks of having it I think I like to much better. You said you looked at the 2005 Sequoia but you didn't say anything about taking one for a ride. What you need to do is go back and take one for a ride and you will feel differently about having the VVT motor. Believe it or not that VVT motor with the 5 speed transmission makes the truck ten times better and I honestly would not have bought the truck if it was not for that combo upgrade because I honestly thought that the Sequoia before was nothing but a slow dog for a truck. I also have a Tundra without the VVT motor and it's not all that bad because it's much lighter then the Sequoia and I never had a problem winning a race against my friend with a 2002 Sequoia. But then the same friend went and traded his 2002 Sequoia for a 2004 4 runner and he started wiping my *** in my Tundra and I was not happy, I'm sore looser. But just think his 04 Four Runner only had the then new 5 speed automatic transmission but both my Tundra and his 4 runner had the same exact engine (with no VVT) and that 5 speed Auto Trany and he beet me bad. Well, this year I got my 2005 Sequoia with the VVT and 5 Speed transmission and now I am out accelerate his 2004 four runner! That little bit of Horse power the VVT motor gives you with that 5 speed transmission makes a HUGE difference and you got to take it for a ride!

Johnnny

CRSII · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2005, 10:27 AM

I would have to agree. If not for the HP upgrade and 5 speed tranny for '05 (the 1.9% financing didn't hurt) I probably would have gotten a Tahoe/Yukon.

After 3 months, I am nothing but pleased with the Sequoia. I traded a Dodge "Hemi" 4x4 truck and I have not felt one time that the Seq was underpowered. It does not sound as-good-as the hemi (could probably be fixed with an aftermarket exhaust), but I doubt the Seq will eat it's transmission at 12K miles like the Dodge.

I have owned nothing but trucks for the last 15 years, but I have had zero regrets in buying the Sequoia. I think it's that good.

m0000 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontyJoe

I noticed that they all use push buttons only, and they got rid of the 4 low / 4 high shift lever. Just voicing my opinion, but I think this sucks!
Monty Joe

Ditto. I'd rather there were zero automated 4wd or hi/lo shifts. It is no easier to have to wait for the automatic servo to shift it depending on your steering and acceleration than to move the lever (IMO).

MontyJoe · #6 (**permalink**) 05-19-2005, 10:12 AM

Thanks for the replys. I will have to drive the 05 someday, but I am completely satisfied with the power of the 04. I have taken it to Fort bragg, reno, tahoe, and some pretty high sierra butte elevations, and have never wished I had more power. I tow an occasional ski boat, or fishing boat and sometimes forget they are behind me.

I know this was a topic of push button 4wd but Im also not very happy with the 05 tail lights, or instrument cluster either. My wife and I have discussed the few things that changed for 05, and we feel we like too many features of the 04 to change for the added horsies in the 05

Thanks again for the replies! This forum seems to be getting busier..