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?
4wd exercising
- Thread starter Jaden_C
- Start date
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http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/171705-4x4-psa-use-lose-5th-gen-style.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html
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.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html
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
Senior Member
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
New member
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.
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
New member
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
Elite Member
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
New member
Pretty sure it says don't engage over 55 mph. Or did I read it wrong?
Cymon
New member
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 [MENTION=29011]Blitzkrieg[/MENTION] post below - 50mph for Trail, 62mph for SR5
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Blitzkrieg
New member
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?
These are both talking about part-time 4WD. Type 'A' is the Trail (lever). Type 'B' is the SR5 (knob).
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
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. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...nt-engage-beeping-coming-actuator-itself.html
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Haha I got that part but once you have engaged into 4h what is the max speed your allowed to safely go with 4h engaged? Am I gonna be making everyone mad on the highway cuz I'm only going 45 mph haha?
FrontRange4Runner
New member
Agreed, however the more I use 4low, the easier it seems to engage/disengage. If you have the time, going in and out of 4lo repeatedly (not every 2 seconds, more like every 2 minutes) can help the transition for when you actually need it. My lever used to bind consistently when coming out of 4lo. Repeated use has made it (more) smooth and reliable. Honestly I engage all of the components that use moving parts when ever I can. If it snows 3 inches, I will put her in 4 low, engage the rear locker and drive out of my neighborhood. Keep all of those little parts that are rarely utilized moving, and they will likely work when you actually need them. I guess this would mostly apply to those of us with an actual lever and a locker, but the concept remains the same. Utilize the parts rarely used so that they actually work when needed.
FrontRange4Runner
New member
Under no circumstances should you have 4lo engaged on the highway unless you are going 10 mph, and there is a 2 feet of snow. Use it when you are in a neighborhood, with no one behind you and your speed is very low. Exercise the engagement, because once it is engaged, the speed makes no difference.
