4wd binding in rain...

[druuu88]

Ok, so i have a 98 4runner with 4wd (no locking rear diff.) . I like to use the 4wd hi in the rain for added traction and improved handling in case of an emergency situation. When i take turns tho, especially like in the parking lot the wheels seem to bind alot. I dont think this is very good, and i want your opinion...is the rain enough to let the wheels slip and prevent any damage to the system?? I usually turn it off in the parking lot or what not to help, but soemtimes i need to make a turn and turning the 4wd on/off gets annoying. So...is the binding really bad or not in the rain?? THANKS a lot....
ps- posting here because i want people who are familar with the 98 4wd system...

 

[4RUNN!N]

Ok, so i have a 98 4runner with 4wd (no locking rear diff.) . I like to use the 4wd hi in the rain for added traction and improved handling in case of an emergency situation. When i take turns tho, especially like in the parking lot the wheels seem to bind alot. I dont think this is very good, and i want your opinion...is the rain enough to let the wheels slip and prevent any damage to the system?? I usually turn it off in the parking lot or what not to help, but soemtimes i need to make a turn and turning the 4wd on/off gets annoying. So...is the binding really bad or not in the rain?? THANKS a lot....
ps- posting here because i want people who are familar with the 98 4wd system...

I was also using my 4WD in the rain just so I went get wheelspin and spinout trying to catch up with traffic going uphill. I made a U-turn with the 4WD and it was a very large turn.

Well binding is binding, but it wouldn't be all bad in the rain, because the wet ground gives the 4WD some slip, much better than a dry surfacae, where binding would be very stressful on the engine.

 

[KyleT]

no center diff causes the binding, i dont think occasional use will hurt it. i ran 3 days straight here whith it in 4wd hi when it iced and have had no problems after so far. i was 90% on dry pavement the rest on patchy ice.

 

[srpage]

If you truly like to be in 4 wheel drive while driving in the rain, you need to get a vehicle with full time 4 wheel drive.

 

[broncosi]

wait so how fast can i run my 98' in 4-hi?

 

[02SE]

wait so how fast can i run my 98' in 4-hi?

You can drive it as fast as the truck will go.

That doesn't mean you should, however.

If you shift into 4wd, it's usually because the conditions are slippery enough to warrant the added driving traction. Going fast, is pretty much the last thing you want to do, under those circumstances.

Just because a vehicle has 4wd, doesn't mean it can stop any better than a vehicle that doesn't.


To the original poster of this thread, you are getting binding, because your 4wd system is part-time. It's designed to only be used in slippery conditions.

It is possible to break parts, driving on surfaces that don't allow enough slip at the tires, to prevent binding in the driveline.

 

[broncosi]

You can drive it as fast as the truck will go.

That doesn't mean you should, however.

If you shift into 4wd, it's usually because the conditions are slippery enough to warrant the added driving traction. Going fast, is pretty much the last thing you want to do, under those circumstances.

Just because a vehicle has 4wd, doesn't mean it can stop any better than a vehicle that doesn't.

thanks but that has 0% relevance to my question, there are some speed ratings to how fast and what 4-hi and 4-lo were meant to be driven, thats all i was looking for. Didnt know if you were driving 45 or 60 or what.

 

[02SE]

thanks but that has 0% relevance to my question, there are some speed ratings to how fast and what 4-hi and 4-lo were meant to be driven, thats all i was looking for. Didnt know if you were driving 45 or 60 or what.

Uhhh, well, you asked, and I quote:

wait so how fast can i run my 98' in 4-hi?

I answered your question, with my first sentence.

You can drive it as fast as the truck will go.

Now, if your question had been "How fast can I go, before shifting into 4wd".

I would've replied that Toyota recommends you not shift into 4wd, above 50 mph.

But, once in 4wd, you can drive the truck as fast as it will go.

Of course you'd likely lose control, due to the slippery conditions that would be present, thus requring the 4wd.

 

[broncosi]

ok yea that was my question, i didnt know if you were being sarcastic or not when you said that but yea that makes since now

 

[bmanning]

Gears binding is never a good thing...

Part-time 4x4 is just what the name implies: part time. There's no center diff to allow the front & rear driveshafts to turn at different speeds...hence the grabbing (binding) you're feeling when turning.

I never use mine unless there will be wheelspin (nature's center diff). In rain, I drive slower!!

BManning

 

[4x4Runner09]

Thank god for my 2000 4wd.

I have full-time and part-time 4wd.


I always use the full-time 4wd in the rain. It really helps while accelerating and completely safe and stress free to use!

 

[druuu88]

.,......jealous.....

 

[FRunner]

Running 4WD Hi in the rain is IMHO not a good idea - there is not enough slippage to allow it to make that much of a difference, it will not prevent "spin outs" as once the tires loose contact with the road surface during hydroplaning - there is little tan can be done excpet ride out the spin and turn your wheels into the direction of the skid, until you regain control. The binding you feel is from torque build up in a system that has not been able to "relieve itself" via some wheelspin...

I would never drive fastrer tan conditions allow in 4WD on the highway. 4WD does not mean you can maintain the posted speed limit. It only provides and advantage in slippery conditions, it will not prevent slides and or increase braking ability - you have to use common sense...