4WD Low. Why is it there?

[sandp500index]

So....I bought a 4Runner after some woman destroyed my Pathfinder.:roadkill:

Insurance gave me retail book ($8500 for a 2001 with 130k miles on it) This is about 3 times what it was really worth. You got to love insurance.arty:

So.....lucky me...I had $$$$ in hand to go buy an 04 Limited 4R. :bluejump:

My Pathfinder had 4WD low as does my 4R. I used 4WD Low in my Pathfinder less than 10 times in 5 years.

Being that I only have 1 car and it is my main transportation to work, I never take my vehicles into crazy dirt/mud. So the the only time I used it was in deep snow.

When I used it in deep snow I didn't really see an advantage over 4WD high. In fact, any place I could go in 4WD Low with the differential locked, I could go in 4WD High with the differential locked. There were places where the snow was so deep it was dragging on the bottom of the vehicle. I could hardly move the vehicle - I was afraid I was getting stuck. There was no difference between 4WD High and 4WD Low in extremely deep snow.

So....when and how should I use 4WD Low? Is it only for extreme off-road stuff?

 

[rockwall]

If you have the right tires 4WD low can get you out of mud and deep snow.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you have to ask then you would probably be better of in a Highlander. Use it for climbing step mountains, going very slow over rocks or desending steep grades, pulling very heavy loads etc.

 

[berettashot117]

pulling heavy loads in 4low? sounds like a loser to me

 

[sandp500index]

If you have to ask then you would probably be better of in a Highlander. Use it for climbing step mountains, going very slow over rocks or desending steep grades, pulling very heavy loads etc.

Ahhhhhhhh....how I love people like you. :bash:

So....because I don't need 4WD Low I am not worthy to own the same car as you. Give me an effing break.

 

[K.C.]

4Lo =Low Speed High Torque

 

[03_4x4Runner]

pulling heavy loads in 4low? sounds like a loser to me

Think about pulling a heavy boat up a steep wet boat ramp. Pulling a stuck pickup truck out of a deep ditch etc.

 

[JB.]

When I used it in deep snow I didn't really see an advantage over 4WD high. In fact, any place I could go in 4WD Low with the differential locked, I could go in 4WD High with the differential locked. There were places where the snow was so deep it was dragging on the bottom of the vehicle. I could hardly move the vehicle - I was afraid I was getting stuck. There was no difference between 4WD High and 4WD Low in extremely deep snow.

So....when and how should I use 4WD Low? Is it only for extreme off-road stuff?

I often prefer high range for deep snow, too, but there are times when low range is preferable. For one thing, the wheels will break loose easier in high range so if you're, say, trying to get unstuck but breaking the wheels loose and spinning, it's possible you might be able to gently walk it out with the control you get from low range.

Also, if you were going to be pushing slowly through deep snow for quite a while, say, up a long dirt road, then letting the vehicle lock up the torque converter in 4th gear low is easier on the transmission than being in high range with the TC unlocked.

 

[Casper421]

:rtfm: Most vehicles that have 4lo have never used it. I've only engaged 4Lo once accompanied by the center locker to get up my driveway in 16" of "Sierra cement".

 

[03_4x4Runner]

:rtfm: Most vehicles that have 4lo have never used it. I've only engaged 4Lo once accompanied by the center locker to get up my driveway in 16" of "Sierra cement".

Just remember to engage it every couple months to keep it working. There are post on this forum that found it would not shift if it is not used now and then. As they say use it or loose it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/83557-how-long-does-take-4x4-engage.html

 

[Casper421]

Just remember to engage it every couple months to keep it working. There are post on this forum that found it would not shift if it is not used now and then. As they say use it or loose it.

Copy! Now that I think about it, I actually end up using it every winter with no problems yet. I'm sure I'll be using it this summer gettin up the ramp since my summer job just bought a 25' crownline and I'll need to tow it around town. Gotta love the V8! :cheers:

 

[berettashot117]

isn't putting it in 4 low how you lock the center differential in the v8? and as for my above comment about towing, I stand corrected.

 

[JB.]

isn't putting it in 4 low how you lock the center differential in the v8? and as for my above comment about towing, I stand corrected.

Dude, you're killin' me. You've never wondered about the button next to your left knee that has this picture on it? Anyway, that's the diff lock button. Can use it high or low.

/--/
.x
l--l

 

[berettashot117]

Dude, you're killin' me. You've never wondered about the button next to your left knee that has this picture on it? Anyway, that's the diff lock button.

/--/
x
l--l

well holy crap I must be a newb, b/c I thought that button turned off traction control.

 

[Jerrydog]

I had a 97 nissan pathfinder, best vehicle I ever owned minus the crappy mileage. The 4runner is a very different vehicle and will take some getting used to. Personally they can keep the locking center diff, I prefer 4wd thats on or off and its just one more expensive thing I don't need to break on me. That aside, Ive used 4low for many things over the years. trail and rock climbing, pulling other motorists out of ditches and snow, pulling my boat up a very slippery boat ramp, hauling 12' oak logs out of the woods to cut up for firewood, pulling out shrub stumps, pulling my floating dock out of the lake and other things. So its useful and its there is you need it. Good luck with your new 4runner.

 

[M1911]

isn't putting it in 4 low how you lock the center differential in the v8? and as for my above comment about towing, I stand corrected.

No. You lock the center diff on the V8 just the same way you lock the center diff on the V6 -- with the button below and to the left of the steering wheel.

 

[zstampe]

well holy crap I must be a newb, b/c I thought that button turned off traction control.

Lol really??? You have that nice ass lift and tires an you didn't know that? Now you have to go experiment with the diff locked off road!

 

[berettashot117]

Lol really??? You have that nice ass lift and tires an you didn't know that? Now you have to go experiment with the diff locked off road!

haha seriously, I never knew! and I always push it when I go offroad, I just always thought I wad turning off my traction control haha. so, can I even turn off my traction control on my v8?

 

[4Runner8]

i beleive when you lock the center diff by pushing that button it does turn off the traction control automatically, also the vsc i think. thats why if you in the awd mode and your tryin to do donuts it wont be as good as if the center diff was locked.

 

[sandp500index]

well holy crap I must be a newb, b/c I thought that button turned off traction control.

Count me a newb as well. The first time I drove my 4R I thought the same way you did. I hit that button because I thought I was making the mistake of driving with the 4WD differential locked. Then in a couple miles when I made a turn I noticed the difficulty in making a hard turn. I then realized my mistake.

I was very concerned the first few days of owning my 4R. I didn't like not having the 2WD switch. I was worried that I wasn't turning off something while driving in AWD and would pay for it later.