[Jaden_C]

Hey all, so I off-road a few times a year and go to the snow a few times a year as well but it's not a regular once a month thing. So my question is how do I exercise the 4wd? I don't want t damage it by driving on pavement but I don't want it to bind up from not using it for a 6 months or so either. So what's a good way to keep it moving if I can't go off-road or to the snow regularly?

[renau001]

4X4 PSA: Use It Or Lose It 5th Gen Style
Using part-time 4WD on dry pavement (TE - SR5)

I have a 2.5 mile stretch of straight dry pavement I use on the way to work every once in a while, no issues so far.

[03_4x4Runner]

Originally Posted by renau001

4X4 PSA: Use It Or Lose It 5th Gen Style
Using part-time 4WD on dry pavement (TE - SR5)

I have a 2.5 mile stretch of straight dry pavement I use on the way to work every once in a while, no issues so far.

Are you putting it in low range? You need to exercise that also.

[renau001]

Originally Posted by 03_4x4Runner

Are you putting it in low range? You need to exercise that also.

Wasn't planning on exercising low range except when actually off-road.

[Blitzkrieg]

Yeah, find yourself a nice quiet (on the weekend) industrial park area that has long straights and just run it through its paces. You can work the transfer case and front axles out and just take your time. Added bonus is industrial parks frequently have long sweeping turns to accommodate 18 wheelers so a perfect setting.

If there is a good truckstop near the industrial park (there often is) you can get your self a man sized chicken fried steak, mashed tators, corn and a large iced tea with lemon afterwards so it's a win-win. :-)

[littlezavasaurus]

Originally Posted by 03_4x4Runner

Are you putting it in low range? You need to exercise that also.

is that true? Owners manual doesn't specify 4H or 4L . I'm pretty sure it just says switch to 4 wheel drive. (Although I may be wrong)

[Antman]

Originally Posted by 03_4x4Runner

Are you putting it in low range? You need to exercise that also.

Originally Posted by littlezavasaurus

is that true? Owners manual doesn't specify 4H or 4L . I'm pretty sure it just says switch to 4 wheel drive. (Although I may be wrong)

Not true. No need to put it in 4lo. Everything will be lubed properly in 4hi.

[Jaden_C]

Originally Posted by Antman

Not true. No need to put it in 4lo. Everything will be lubed properly in 4hi.

Thanks guys for the responses, I do have a few straight highways here I could use. Is there a recommended speed to keep it under if on the highway and using 4h? The manual didn't specify.

[The Waco Kid]

Originally Posted by Jaden_C

Thanks guys for the responses, I do have a few straight highways here I could use. Is there a recommended speed to keep it under if on the highway and using 4h? The manual didn't specify.

Pretty sure it says don't engage over 55 mph. Or did I read it wrong?

[Cymon]

Originally Posted by The Waco Kid

Pretty sure it says don't engage over 55 mph. Or did I read it wrong?

Don't engage, but you can drive over 55 once it is engaged. Although I wouldn't make a habit of going 80 in 4wd on dry pavement.

Edit: see @Blitzkrieg post below - 50mph for Trail, 62mph for SR5

[renau001]

50 mph is the max engagement speed, at least in the most recent owners manual.

[Blitzkrieg]

Originally Posted by Jaden_C

Thanks guys for the responses, I do have a few straight highways here I could use. Is there a recommended speed to keep it under if on the highway and using 4h? The manual didn't specify.

C'mon now. It's right there on page 233. ;-)

233
4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B18U)
■
Shifting from H2 to H4

Type A
Reduce vehicle speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h).
Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.

Type B
Reduce vehicle speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h).
Push the “UNLOCK” button and turn the front-wheel drive control
switch to H4.
The four-wheel drive indicator will turn on

[GatorGreg]

Originally Posted by Blitzkrieg

C'mon now. It's right there on page 233. ;-)

233
4-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
4RUNNER (U)_(OM35B18U)
■
Shifting from H2 to H4

Type A
Reduce vehicle speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h).
Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.

Type B
Reduce vehicle speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h).
Push the “UNLOCK” button and turn the front-wheel drive control
switch to H4.
The four-wheel drive indicator will turn on

Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the 5th gen Type A v. Type B all about? Is it the Ltd version v. The non-Ltd version?

Does this mean the 5th gen Ltd 4WD system is similar to the 4th gen V6 4WD system where running in 2Hi is a choice or is it like the 4th gen V8 4WD system where you don't have that choice?

[renau001]

Originally Posted by GatorGreg

Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the 5th gen Type A v. Type B all about? Is it the Ltd version v. The non-Ltd version?

Does this mean the 5th gen Ltd 4WD system is similar to the 4th gen V6 4WD system where running in 2Hi is a choice or is it like the 4th gen V8 4WD system where you don't have that choice?

These are both talking about part-time 4WD. Type 'A' is the Trail (lever). Type 'B' is the SR5 (knob).

[03_4x4Runner]

Originally Posted by Antman

Not true. No need to put it in 4lo. Everything will be lubed properly in 4hi.

My only concern about not putting it in 4 low now and then is that there are a lot of 4th gens on the 4th gen forum that can not engage low range now because the actuators locked up from none use over the years. My 4th gen transfer case looked a whole lot like my 5th gen limited transfer case.

Here is one of the threads. 4Lo won't engage - Beeping coming from actuator itself??