Where to exercise your 4wd in the off season. - Page 3 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

RockyM · 02-13-2020, 08:59 AM

Actually a good topic since this is my first 4WD, and I've heard both sides of the coin (i.e. go for it.... not a problem, or your wheels will fly off into the weeds). There is a local park nearby with a good sized gravel parking lot in the back. I drive around that in 4LO every 2-3 months. It gets muddy but.....4Runner. Also throw it in 4WD occasionally on pavement if it's a straight line.

kenwilliams0803 · 02-13-2020, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointman

Thanks for the help. I honestly believed it wasn't supposed to be used on dry pavement. I was told that here actually. Thanks for the confirmation that it is ok. Appreciate the help.

It's not. But the reasoning behind that only kicks in if you are, say, making a 90 degree turn from a stop sign or into a parking space. Straight roads and/or gentle curves are fine.

Mantilgh · 02-13-2020, 12:46 PM

You can simply do it in a parking lot. All you are “exercising” is the actuators and the parts connected to them.

Also, I assume it’s the V6. You can put in 4h and drive around forever, you’re in awd mode. It’s only with the center diff locked that you have to worry about being on dry pavement

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Mudhorn · 02-13-2020, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argyle Edison

I’ve owned damn near 20-25 4x4 vehicles in my old age. I’ve never “exercised” them, and have never had an issue.

Bleh

Haha, this man in ND told me the exact same thing.

Blue 4ever Runner · 02-13-2020, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantilgh

You can simply do it in a parking lot. All you are “exercising” is the actuators and the parts connected to them.

Also, I assume it’s the V6. You can put in 4h and drive around forever, you’re in awd mode. It’s only with the center diff locked that you have to worry about being on dry pavement

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4H is not AWD. An AWD system has slip built into it, on our trucks 4H is a different animal.

Space King · 02-13-2020, 02:09 PM

So from what I gather using 4WD on dry pavement is like masturbating in public.. sure you can do it, but you're not supposed to.

tjnptel1 · 02-13-2020, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyM

Actually a good topic since this is my first 4WD, and I've heard both sides of the coin (i.e. go for it.... not a problem, or your wheels will fly off into the weeds). There is a local park nearby with a good sized gravel parking lot in the back. I drive around that in 4LO every 2-3 months. It gets muddy but.....4Runner. Also throw it in 4WD occasionally on pavement if it's a straight line.

I should meet you there next time lol

RockyM · 02-13-2020, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjnptel1

I should meet you there next time lol

Elon Park. It's quite boring. No hills, no nothing. Just a gravel lot with some muddy puddles. We can conquer this thing easy.

pointman · 02-13-2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyG

You can check your smaller local parks for dirt parking lots.

Do a drive through at a time when few people are there. After a rain is great.

Thanks for the tips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by delloro

It should not be used on dry pavement.

Why needlessly bind and stress components?

Wait for rain, snow, gravel, or dirt.

I guess other people should have had the question too. Thanks for chiming in with good information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argyle Edison

I don’t.

If I need 4wd, I use it. Other than that, it’s not used. I’m @ 198k miles and it’s fine.

I’ve owned damn near 20-25 4x4 vehicles in my old age. I’ve never “exercised” them, and have never had an issue.

Bleh

Thats actually really good to read. Thanks for your sharing your experiences. I hope that is still the case with our 4Runners.

pointman · 02-13-2020, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyM

Actually a good topic since this is my first 4WD, and I've heard both sides of the coin (i.e. go for it.... not a problem, or your wheels will fly off into the weeds). There is a local park nearby with a good sized gravel parking lot in the back. I drive around that in 4LO every 2-3 months. It gets muddy but.....4Runner. Also throw it in 4WD occasionally on pavement if it's a straight line.

As long as no turns are involved its ok on pavement to be in 4H? Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenwilliams0803

It's not. But the reasoning behind that only kicks in if you are, say, making a 90 degree turn from a stop sign or into a parking space. Straight roads and/or gentle curves are fine.

Hey, thanks for your input. Are you sure about the 'straight ok, turns are the bad part' reasoning? I hope that is the case.

delloro · 02-13-2020, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointman

As long as no turns are involved its ok on pavement to be in 4H? Thanks!

Hey, thanks for your input. Are you sure about the 'straight ok, turns are the bad part' reasoning? I hope that is the case.

When driving through a turn, the front wheels take a slightly different path than the rear wheels. So, they end up covering different distances. That difference causes the drivetrain to bind if the wheels can't slip.

That is not a problem when going straight.

Gentle curves don't cause a problem, sharp turns do.

Salvo Jimmy · 02-13-2020, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointman

Paved too? Thanks. I was under the impression it had to be where losing traction was possible at the very least. Gravel, wet, etc.

Yes parking lot is paved and the straight roads I use are paved.

FYI I have been driving 4WDs since I was about 10 and am now 81. You ain’t gonna hurt it on pavement as long as you don’t make any sharp turns. I try to stay within about 15-20 degrees on a pavement turn.

pointman · 02-13-2020, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delloro

When driving through a turn, the front wheels take a slightly different path than the rear wheels. So, they end up covering different distances. That difference causes the drivetrain to bind if the wheels can't slip.

That is not a problem when going straight.

Gentle curves don't cause a problem, sharp turns do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salvo Jimmy

Yes parking lot is paved and the straight roads I use are paved.

FYI I have been driving 4WDs since I was about 10 and am now 81. You ain’t gonna hurt it on pavement as long as you don’t make any sharp turns. I try to stay within about 15-20 degrees on a pavement turn.

Thank you both greatly. I appreciate the insight.

JLTD · 02-13-2020, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patkelly4370

I can just drive around my property. Or for hundreds of miles in my town.

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So where's home? Sounds a little like Northern Montana where I used to live.

Mantilgh · 02-15-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue 4ever Runner

4H is not AWD. An AWD system has slip built into it, on our trucks 4H is a different animal.

Yes it is. It’s a Torson center diff. Not locked it’s open like frigen awd. Same diff as in the awd V8. Edit: should be lsd, not open center

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