3 differentials and 4L/4H clarification

[ubergeek]

I've read everything but there are a few questions that have not been clarified and I am hoping someone who actually knows answers the questions below.

1. Is there anyway to lock all 3 differentials? ( I know how to lock the center one)

2. I know 4L is for low speed 4x4 and 4H is for high speed. If so, would driving in 4H/1st gear same as 4L/1st gear? If not, what are the differences?

Thanks.

 

[Doozi]

I've read everything but there are a few questions that have not been clarified and I am hoping someone who actually knows answers the questions below.

1. Is there anyway to lock all 3 differentials? ( I know how to lock the center one)

2. I know 4L is for low speed 4x4 and 4H is for high speed. If so, would driving in 4H/1st gear same as 4L/1st gear? If not, what are the differences?

Thanks.

1. Not unless you install front and rear diff lockers... something like ARB air lockers. The 4th Gen 4Runner uses "ATRAC" to simulate a limited slip front and rear diff by using the brakes to grab the spinning wheel and transfer power across the differential to the wheel with more traction.

2. No... 4H in 1st gear is nothing like 4L. 4L uses a gear reduction to provide more torque to the wheels. And just so you know... 4H and 4L with the center diff UNlocked is like AWD while with the center Locked is like a traditional part-time 4WD system with a fixed 50/50 split between the front and rear driveshafts.

I hope that answers your questions!

 

[NJshadow93]

I've read everything but there are a few questions that have not been clarified and I am hoping someone who actually knows answers the questions below.

1. Is there anyway to lock all 3 differentials? ( I know how to lock the center one)

2. I know 4L is for low speed 4x4 and 4H is for high speed. If so, would driving in 4H/1st gear same as 4L/1st gear? If not, what are the differences?

Thanks.

You can't lock the front and rear diff without adding lockers to them, such as ARB air lockers. 4 low isn't necessarily for low speed. It is not the same thing as 4 high 1st gear. All that does is tell the transmission not to shift past first gear. 4 low is meant for high torque output and is useful when you are rock crawling, climbing a steep hill, or even pulling a tree stump. There is a lot of useful information on this forum. You can search here and Google to look up the purpose of 4 low and when to use different 4 wheel drive functions and in what situations.

EDIT: [MENTION=57276]Doozi[/MENTION] beat me to it!

 

[Doozi]

EDIT: [MENTION=57276]Doozi[/MENTION] beat me to it!

You added some good descriptions though!

 

[ubergeek]

Very clear explanation. Thanks Doozi!
I knew when to use but wondered how it functions. You clarified it very well.

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[JB.]

would driving in 4H/1st gear same as 4L/1st gear? If not, what are the differences?

Thanks.

No, it would be the same as driving in 4L/3rd gear.

The transmission only has 5 gears and that's it. In low range, every gear is geared lower by about 2 1/2 times via the transfer case (except 5th gear is unavailable in low range).

Things just happen to line up to make 1st-hi and 3rd-low equivalent.

 

[ubergeek]

Thanks JB for the details!

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