4Runner failed me today

Dan0280

New member
Background, my 2014 4runner has 22k miles on it. Bilsteins, 18" FN BFDs with GY Adventures with about 18k road miles on them. I regularly use 4H during winter months, and thanks to contributors here I learned to activate it for at least 15 minutes every month just to keep it lubed. To date it has always been dealer serviced.

So I took the runner to survey some land my buddy owns to judge its suitability for future dirt biking shenanigans. I met him at the base of a dirt road and he jumped in my truck to head up into the property on an ESTABLISHED logging road. It's been really warm lately in NJ (63 yesterday) and subsequently the ground is muddy and wet from the melt. The trail was uphill at a modest 30 degrees or so. Truck was already properly shifted into 4H and got stuck trying to go up the hill. I put the truck in neutral and tried to switch into 4L but the nob wouldn't turn. I backed down the hill to level ground and while rolling forward switched into 2H and waited for the clunk and the green light to go out. Then I switched back into 4H while rolling forward. Then I stopped and went to neutral and same deal, couldn't turn the nob to 4L. We wound up dismounting and walking the property. All the while he made fun of my "rice burner".

Sadly, this was second time I had ever attempted to use 4L. This would have been the most offroad the truck has ever been. Obviously something is tweaked (not just my ego) with the system. Now when I start the truck the dealer service screen appears. What do you guys think is the culprit and what kind of repair/cost should I be expecting? Thank you for your thoughts.
 
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Uh dealer cost should be ZERO if you have a 2014 with less than 36k miles on it? That should be under warranty.
 
Sounds like the transfer case. Sometimes the freak out and forget where the shift arm is at. Luckily it still works. I have had a couple Lexus gx's get so messed up you can't drive them. The solution is replacing the t-case. Shit happens. Should be under warranty if not contact Toyota customer service. They will help you. Just be respectful.
 
Well this is a good start, I thought my warranty was two years. Any thoughts on the failure of the 4 wheel drive system?


Unfortunately not qualified to say what is causing issue but thank you for tip on running my 4H once a month!
 
Background, my 2014 4runner has 22k miles on it. Bilsteins, 18" FN BFDs with GY Adventures with about 18k road miles on them. I regularly use 4H during winter months, and thanks to contributors here I learned to activate it for at least 15 minutes every month just to keep it lubed. To date it has always been dealer serviced.

So I took the runner to survey some land my buddy owns to judge its suitability for future dirt biking shenanigans. I met him at the base of a dirt road and he jumped in my truck to head up into the property on an ESTABLISHED logging road. It's been really warm lately in NJ (63 yesterday) and subsequently the ground is muddy and wet from the melt. The trail was uphill at a modest 30 degrees or so. Truck was already properly shifted into 4H and got stuck trying to go up the hill. I put the truck in neutral and tried to switch into 4L but the nob wouldn't turn. I backed down the hill to level ground and while rolling forward switched into 2H and waited for the clunk and the green light to go out. Then I switched back into 4H while rolling forward. Then I stopped and went to neutral and same deal, couldn't turn the nob to 4L. We wound up dismounting and walking the property. All the while he made fun of my "rice burner".

Sadly, this was second time I had ever attempted to use 4L. This would have been the most offroad the truck has ever been. Obviously something is tweaked (not just my ego) with the system. Now when I start the truck the dealer service screen appears. What do you guys think is the culprit and what kind of repair/cost should I be expecting? Thank you for your thoughts.

[MENTION=99373]Dan0280[/MENTION],

Ok, don't take offence at this question. Sometimes it is the simple things that confound us.

Did you have the grey button depressed and push the knob down when in neutral and trying to go from H4 to L4?

If so, bring it in.....
 

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[MENTION=99373]Dan0280[/MENTION],

Ok, don't take offence at this question. Sometimes it is the simple things that confound us.

Did you have the grey button depressed and push the knob down when in neutral and trying to go from H4 to L4?

If so, bring it in.....

No offense taken. I think you are right, I wasn't pressing down. I wonder if the service message is just coincidental to MY failure. I'll check it out tomorrow.
 
As an aside, running 4WD once a month is not based on time. According to the 500+ page manual (of which I read 300 pages today), you're actually supposed to drive it for 10 miles each month. Given that some of the 4L settings in the TE limit the speed to 7mph, this could take an hour or more.
 
As an aside, running 4WD once a month is not based on time. According to the 500+ page manual (of which I read 300 pages today), you're actually supposed to drive it for 10 miles each month. Given that some of the 4L settings in the TE limit the speed to 7mph, this could take an hour or more.

You don't need to be in 4L. 4H will lube everything up just fine.
 
if it failed you dude....I'm just wondering like the 2nd Gen and 3rd Gens, can your Gen be converted?
it's a simple and honest question
 
As an aside, running 4WD once a month is not based on time. According to the 500+ page manual (of which I read 300 pages today), you're actually supposed to drive it for 10 miles each month. Given that some of the 4L settings in the TE limit the speed to 7mph, this could take an hour or more.

I am learning something new, limited to 7 MPH in low on a TE? I have been over 7 MPH in mine.

I bought the trail version for one reason and only one reason, the manual 4WD lever.
 
if it failed you dude....I'm just wondering like the 2nd Gen and 3rd Gens, can your Gen be converted?
it's a simple and honest question

It never failed the dude. These 4WD systems are very robust and reliable. Some of the owners, not so much.:amen:
 
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