I have a 98 Limited 4WD. I just had a factory overhaul. They installed a new front differential. My question is what’s the best way to maintain it? How often should I engage the 4WD?

What all was included in the factory overhaul, out of curiosity?

Also, I think the general rule of thumb is once a month go out and cycle the 4WD actuator.

Keep up with fluid changes (conventional or synthetic) and cycle the 4WD system every month as previously mentioned. Also, on a side note, make sure not to forget about greasing the driveshafts.

My 2000 owners manual say 10 miles once a month.

I am wondering about exercising the rear diff lock?

Make it a habit to use anything that's electronic or vacuum actuated often so they don't have issues from sitting stagnant. That includes the front differential, electronic transfer cases and rear e lockers. Cycle em in and out every once in a while a few times and they'll stay in working order.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

I might be using the term “overhaul” loosely here.

-New battery
-All new brakes include front disk brake and rear break pads. Performed break fluid flush
-replaced front axle assembly
-replaced cracked radiator and radiator hoses
-flush cooling system
-replaced timing belt
-3 part fuel induction service
-replaced valve cover gaskets
-tune up, including new sparks
-power steering fluid flush
-replaced air filter

Add trans, center and rear diff flushes if not already done....Very nice otherwise.

Luck and enjoy the Runner.

as stated above, use them occasionally every month, turn them on, shift them in , drive for a bit..shift them out, shift them in , shift them out.

For me this time of year its kind of the opposite. Since I have to be in 4wd every day. At least one time every 2 weeks I will take it out of 4wd and drive it shortly, shift in , shift out, shift back in and leave it in.

With my elocker, if I have not used it in a week or two, I will shift it on go a few yards, shift off, shift back on and run for a few miles, up the hill to home, then off in time to make sure it disengages before parking.

mind you , in both cases, im in the snow and ice all day and rarely see black pavement.

summer, when bare roads...all are in 2wd, but I will run the 4wd every few weeks, or use the 4wd when pulling a boat out of the water ( rare only if taco or ford are not avail) or climbing steep or rough gravel roads ( which is every few weeks at least)

and of course, stay on top of fresh fluids, greasing ujoints and constant inspections

Besides just cycling the 4WD actuator, is there any value in actually driving in 4WD long enough to heat up the front diff? Something like 50 miles or more on dirt? I'm thinking that, especially in a humid climate, allowing the front diff to fully warm up might minimize the accumulation of condensation water inside.

hmmm, not sure about that...50 miles seems like an awful lot to do that often.

If it gets hot enough to boil the water out of there, you have other problems... Keeping it as close to a constant temp would probably be more likely to keep condensation out of there (so, minimal usage). The actuators still need to get used though...

-Charlie