2016 TRD Pro Trouble Using 4WD

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ritmatt

New member
With 4WD engaged on my '16 TRD Pro, I'm having some trouble switching between H4 and L4. I've read the manual several times and I don't know whether I've got a problem or, perhaps, things are working as designed.

Shifting from H4 to L4 (Type A)
  1. Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake pedal.
  2. Shift the shift lever to N.
  3. Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to L4.

I'm at a complete stop, shift lever is in Neutral, and my foot is firmly on the brake. I attempt to shift into L4 and I almost always get a heavy grinding noise and vibration in the front-wheel drive control lever. The noise can be heard inside and outside the vehicle. Not wanting to cause any damage, I'm not forcing anything and I will immediately drop the control lever back into N, wait a few seconds, then try again. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts before I can successfully complete the shift to L4.

Shifting from L4 to H4 (Type A)
  1. Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake pedal.
  2. Shift the shift lever to N.
  3. Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.

I'm at a complete stop, shift lever is in Neutral, and my foot is firmly on the brake. I attempt to shift from L4 to H4 and I get the same grinding sound as before. One time, I simply could not move the lever from L4 to H4 at all (no grinding noise - H4 just seemed to be locked out). Same as before, I'm not forcing anything and I'm trying not to cause any damage, but the shift between L4 and H4 is rough.

Is this normal behavior? Do you get a bit of grinding noise, but you just shift anyway? Or is this an unusual problem that I should have checked out?

I searched the forums and found some old examples on older trucks, but nothing in the 5th gen section and nothing recent.

The truck has about 1600 miles on it and, while I've only tried the 4WD function a few times, it has exhibited the behavior in all cases.

Thanks..
 
Last edited:
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As long as you are at a complete stop, foot firmly on the brake, and transmission in neutral it should just shift into gear.

Is it possible you're moving the lever too slowly shifting into 4lo? Or possibly pushing the lever to the right or left while trying to shift up into 4lo?

Here's a video of the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bL8n5-CqQQ
 
ritmatt said:
With 4WD engaged on my '16 TRD Pro, I'm having some trouble switching between H4 and L4. I've read the manual several times and I don't know whether I've got a problem or, perhaps, things are working as designed.

Shifting from H4 to L4 (Type A)
  1. Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake pedal.
  2. Shift the shift lever to N.
  3. Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to L4.

I'm at a complete stop, shift lever is in Neutral, and my foot is firmly on the brake. I attempt to shift into L4 and I almost always get a heavy grinding noise and vibration in the front-wheel drive control lever. The noise can be heard inside and outside the vehicle. Not wanting to cause any damage, I'm not forcing anything and I will immediately drop the control lever back into N, wait a few seconds, then try again. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts before I can successfully complete the shift to L4.

Shifting from L4 to H4 (Type A)
  1. Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake pedal.
  2. Shift the shift lever to N.
  3. Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.

I'm at a complete stop, shift lever is in Neutral, and my foot is firmly on the brake. I attempt to shift from L4 to H4 and I get the same grinding sound as before. One time, I simply could not move the lever from L4 to H4 at all (no grinding noise - H4 just seemed to be locked out). Same as before, I'm not forcing anything and I'm trying not to cause any damage, but the shift between L4 and H4 is rough.

Is this normal behavior? Do you get a bit of grinding noise, but you just shift anyway? Or is this an unusual problem that I should have checked out?

I searched the forums and found some old examples on older trucks, but nothing in the 5th gen section and nothing recent.

The truck has about 1600 miles on it and, while I've only tried the 4WD function a few times, it has exhibited the behavior in all cases.

Thanks..
Click to expand...

I`d say it`s warranty issue, my 2012 shifts like butter, not once grinding noise unless I switch from H2 to H4 too slowly. If I firmly yank it below 40MPH no noise and it engages instantly. H4 to L4 only at complete stop and never a problem.
 
You are doing it too slow. Just smoothly shift from one to the other in a brisk fashion. Don't stop the shift process once you start either.
 
ritmatt said:
Is this normal behavior? Do you get a bit of grinding noise, but you just shift anyway? Or is this an unusual problem that I should have checked out?

I searched the forums and found some old examples on older trucks, but nothing in the 5th gen section and nothing recent.

The truck has about 1600 miles on it and, while I've only tried the 4WD function a few times, it has exhibited the behavior in all cases.

Thanks..
Click to expand...

I had similar issues while I was off-roading. I heard the loud grinding noises and even got stuck in 4L. I had to go to flat level ground and inch along, then throw it into neutral and shift the transfer case to N.
 
ritmatt said:
With 4WD engaged on my '16 TRD Pro, I'm having some trouble switching between H4 and L4. I've read the manual several times and I don't know whether I've got a problem or, perhaps, things are working as designed.

Shifting from H4 to L4 (Type A)
  1. Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake pedal.
  2. Shift the shift lever to N.
  3. Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to L4.


Shifting from L4 to H4 (Type A)
  1. Stop the vehicle completely and continue to depress the brake pedal.
  2. Shift the shift lever to N.
  3. Shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4.
Click to expand...

Just as others have stated. You have a transmission and a transfer case. Shift the transmission into N when going from H to L and back. Move the transfer case lever from H to L / back in one continuous, smooth and fast motion (less than a quarter second). If you lollygag the transfer case in N then you will grind.
 
Just keep using it, two things will happen, 1st- you will get better at it and use to the motion, 2nd- the transfer case and shifter will loosen up some. It may help some to inch along while shifting. I'm talking like less than a crawl but not stopped.
 
Mine grinds occasionally. As stated above speed and power are the key. When I use a quick and forceful motion there are no issues. If I go slowly it immediately starts grinding, and will occasionally lock up between 4Hi and 4Lo. Also, the more you use it, the smoother it will become.
 
FrontRange4Runner said:
Mine grinds occasionally. As stated above speed and power are the key. When I use a quick and forceful motion there are no issues. If I go slowly it immediately starts grinding, and will occasionally lock up between 4Hi and 4Lo. Also, the more you use it, the smoother it will become.
Click to expand...

Sounds like... never mind.
 
So what you're saying is...

So ... reading between the lines here ... it seems like most of you think I might be shifting too slowly... ;)

Turns out you are right! Moving quickly from H4 to L4 and back again works fine - no grinding or scary noises. I was just afraid to try that for fear of dropping broken truck parts all over the road.

Thanks, y'all!
 
ritmatt said:
So ... reading between the lines here ... it seems like most of you think I might be shifting too slowly... ;)

Turns out you are right! Moving quickly from H4 to L4 and back again works fine - no grinding or scary noises. I was just afraid to try that for fear of dropping broken truck parts all over the road.

Thanks, y'all!
Click to expand...


THE 4WD KNOB !!! an interesting Toyota engineering design. push buttons is what it should have been.
 
I like that the trail edition has an old school transfer case shift lever. Maybe someday someone will come up with a twin stick option for independent shifts of each axle. Have that on my old bronco. Love it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
ritmatt said:
So ... reading between the lines here ... it seems like most of you think I might be shifting too slowly... ;)

Turns out you are right! Moving quickly from H4 to L4 and back again works fine - no grinding or scary noises. I was just afraid to try that for fear of dropping broken truck parts all over the road.

Thanks, y'all!
Click to expand...
I don't lie nor answer questions of which I have no knowledge.
 
Muskrat14 said:
I like that the trail edition has an old school transfer case shift lever. Maybe someday someone will come up with a twin stick option for independent shifts of each axle. Have that on my old bronco. Love it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Why were your twin sticks in parallel (front/rear axle double work) and not in series (tranny output for more gearing)? Sounds like a massive headache! The work that would have taken I could get KDSS and 44s with 1.5" of lift!:lol::lol:
 
It is nice for when you have a non selectable locker in the front. You can pop it out and still have transfer case in low for rear wheel drive. This makes tight turns easier. Also, it gives you rear wheel low. Break a rear drive shaft, limp in in front wheel drive. Plus, twin sticks look cool!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
H4 to H2, linkage stretch?

I have read the majority of threads on the topic of 4WD manipulation and I haven't seen this specifically mentioned.

Has anyone had the experience of shifting the lever from H4 completely into H2 with a stretching kind of resistance because it's really not shifting out of H4? When I release the lever, it pops directly back into H4 position. I cringe every time because it feels like I am just stretching the linkage. I'm also puzzled because from what little diagrams I've seen, the linkage seems very robust and I can't understand what component would be allowing this stretch.

Any thoughts? As mentioned, this freaks me out...
 
I think mine sort of feels like that. I had nasty grinding the first few times but with moving quickly on the shifter it seems to help.

For yours, maybe the gears just barely aren't lining back up, so maybe try while in N and then letting off the brake a hair so the drivetrain can rotate a tad. Worked for me
 
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