4wd shift knob vibration (SR5/Trail)

[westwind77]

So, has anyone noticed a vibration in their 4wd shift knob. Honestly, visually looking at the knob it is hard to see it move, BUT, if you actually hold it, there is significant vibrations coming through it! The vibrations are higher when I put my foot down and accelerate. My old 4wd system (same on the floor) never had this vibration. This happens in normal 2wd, test it out, just put your hand lightly on the knob and drive, let me know what you feel!

 

[westwind77]

I just took it to lunch and also noted then when you accelerate the knob actually moves forward and to the right, falling back to the original position when coasting. I pushed the knob lightly to the right, so the shaft felt like it was not resting agaist anything and the vibrations essentially went away. I doubt that any of this is really a 'problem' but wanted to make sure others felt the same thing. If I was the only one, well, then I might be a little concerned.

 

[bigbwb]

I just took it to lunch and also noted then when you accelerate the knob actually moves forward and to the right, falling back to the original position when coasting. I pushed the knob lightly to the right, so the shaft felt like it was not resting agaist anything and the vibrations essentially went away. I doubt that any of this is really a 'problem' but wanted to make sure others felt the same thing. If I was the only one, well, then I might be a little concerned.

My lever in my 2010 TE also vibrates, I would not be worried. If I recall, my older Toyotas (2000 4R & later 90's Tacoma) also did the same.

 

[semperfly]

yea i get the same thing, i think my old 94 toyota pickup did it as well. Kinda makes sense though b/c theres a lot of vibrations going on under there with no real dampening system in place

 

[Ryan_S]

It's connected directly to the transfer case, there are all kinds of vibrations going on down there. Any 4wd lever that is actually doing something (not electronic) will have some vibrations to it. Same goes for manual transmission shift levers.

 

[jkinder]

Same here, I noticed it the first time the cord from my phone charger rested against it. Figured the reason was the transfer case as the other guys note.

 

[Tiresidedown]

normal

Every 4WD truck/suv Ive ever had (including my 2005 Lexus GX) had mild to moderate vibration through the 2H/4H/4L shifter. I wouldn't give it another thought.

 

[jca21]

noticed the same thing in the FJ. i dont think its a big issue though.

 

[02SE]

As stated, your transfer case shifter is connected directly to the transfer case. The engine, transmission and transfer case are all bolted together and have rubber mounts between themsleves and the frame and crossmembers. They all move/ vibrate a bit as the driveline is subjected to varying loads.

It's completely normal.

 

[westwind77]

As stated, your transfer case shifter is connected directly to the transfer case. The engine, transmission and transfer case are all bolted together and have rubber mounts between themsleves and the frame and crossmembers. They all move/ vibrate a bit as the driveline is subjected to varying loads.

It's completely normal.

Only reason I brought it up was that my 99' Durango, (floor 4wd shifter like this one) never vibrated a bit or moved upon acceleration. Just was double checking, guess it is normal for these

 

[richcrest]

My 2012 4Runner SR5 TC lever vibrates too. My old 2001 Jeep Cherokee with Command-Trac didn't vibrate much at all, so there is an adjustment curve. I'll try nudging the lever to the right, though.

 

[ScoMey]

Only reason I brought it up was that my 99' Durango, (floor 4wd shifter like this one) never vibrated a bit or moved upon acceleration. Just was double checking, guess it is normal for these

Your Durango very likely had cable connection between the lever and the transfer case. In that set up, you would not have felt any vibration or seen any movement of the lever during vehicle operation, because the lever was not a direct mechanical connection to the t-case. With your 4Runner, the t-case lever is directly connected mechanically (no in-between cable), so as others have indicated you'll see and feel the lever vibrate. Totally and perfectly normal.

 

[BlacknTan]

Had this with every 4WD I've owned. I consider it normal operating procedure.

 

[skimr]

My 2012 does it. Just normal. Same thing on my previous rig an 82 Bronco. But then again everything on it vibrated, lol

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Had a 2000 durango (biggest pile of shit I ever owned, EVER!!!!), it vibrated a bit, but nothing like the 4 runner.

I have an '87 xtra cab, it vibrates exactly the same way my '11 4 runner does. I think the durango is the abnormal one here, but that's just me!!!

Don't worry about the vibration from the transfer case, its perfectly normal for Toyotas (and many others, like Nissan, their hardbodies did the same thing), and has been since at least the 80's!

 

[Hellamatic]

Alrighty, only took 5 years to resolve this thread!

 

[77Bronc]

My 2012 does it. Just normal. Same thing on my previous rig an 82 Bronco. But then again everything on it vibrated, lol

Oh boy my first 4WD was an 82 Bronco. BW 4 speed with the granny gear. 300 inline 6 cylinder, lever TC on the floor. Had enough power to speed up the sunrise.

AC, PS and PB that was it, no radio. Limited slip front and read. Was ordered by a railroad company, they did not take delivery. Brand new off, the lot, $8900.

Now my prized possession is my 1977 Bronco, hence my name, uncut, 66K miles

77

 

[BlacknTan]

Oh boy my first 4WD was an 82 Bronco. BW 4 speed with the granny gear. 300 inline 6 cylinder, lever TC on the floor. Had enough power to speed up the sunrise.

AC, PS and PB that was it, no radio. Limited slip front and read. Was ordered by a railroad company, they did not take delivery. Brand new off, the lot, $8900.

Now my prized possession is my 1977 Bronco, hence my name, uncut, 66K miles

77

Great little truck!

Awesome engine with 7 main bearings!

 

[richcrest]

OK. Nudging the TC lever to the right makes no diference. It springs right back. However, I drove 20 miles on a gravel road in 4H yesterday, and the lever seemed to vibrate less in 2H when I was through. Maybe the previous owner never used the system.