4x4 beginner question

[OmarT4R]

hello team,
Can someone please tell me how the 4x4 system works in the 4 runner?
i have a 04 sport Ed. I only been driving it on the x2 setting. but since snow season is comming I would like to know how to use the 4LO and 4Hi. Today i drove in a wet pavement at about 10 mph and turned the knob to 4hi. i didnt really feel any difference. or hear anythin moving. but saw a green light in the dash with the figure of the 4 tires. NOw there is a button on the left of the console that when i pushed it if made a amber light come up on the dashboard above the green one but it had an X on it. What does that mean? and lastly when i put the setting to 4LO, the truck started to beep continueosly and flashin a green 4LO light in the dash. PLease help.... I must rely on you guys to find out how to use it since I dotn have my manual. =(
Thankss...

 

[sharp4runr]

Ok, driving in 2HI is fine. You should only switch to 4HI when driving under 62MPH. If you want to switch to 4LO, you pretty much want to stop completely and switch to it. In my opinion, if you are thinking of going into 4LO, you'll probably be stopping anyways. The top speed when in 4LO is 35MPH I believe because of the gearing.

The button on the left side locks the center differential. It splits power 50/50 between the front and rear wheels.

If while switching between modes and it doesn't switch, put the truck into neutral and wait a few seconds. It should then switch to the modes.

 

[OmarT4R]

thanks for the reply, so when i switch from 2H to 4H the differential its already locked? and when i press that button it unlocks it? how to and when to use the lock/ unlock?

 

[sharp4runr]

When you switch from 2HI to 4HI, the center differential is NOT locked. Pressing the switch on the left of the steering wheel locks the differential and that's when the little yellow icon with the X is displayed. Only lock the center differential on a slippery surface like mud, gravel or snow. Do not lock it on pavement as it'll add a lot of stress on the drive train as well as wear the tires.

 

[chiefiji]

when i switch in and out of 4hi, theres a distinct clicking sound underneath the truck. i figure that to be the 4wd engaging. theres also a sound whirring noise when the center diff locks. under normal driving circumstances, i dont see how youll ever need to lock the center diffs.

 

[Thai]

See this thread for more info:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=12

Hope this helps.

 

[OmarT4R]

thanks Thai,
helped me understand the system

 

[bulldog-yota]

when you drive on pavement, even in snow dont lock the center diff!! it turns of your skid control.

only lock the center diff when you get stuck or you need wheelspin.

 

[GRIMACE]

when you drive on pavement, even in snow dont lock the center diff!! it turns of your skid control.

only lock the center diff when you get stuck or you need wheelspin.

This mght sound stupid. If the button is unlocked and you're switched in 4Hi, is anything going to the front wheels? .

 

[Thai]

This mght sound stupid. If the button is unlocked and you're switched in 4Hi, is anything going to the front wheels? .

Yes, power goes to the front axle. The ratio of power flow is variable (70:30, 50:50, or 30:70), depending on traction. This is good on the road. This is not always desirable in off-roading where you want constant power flow to both front and rear axles. Thus, you would want to lock the center diff when off-roading. As an additional benefit, locking the center diff will turn off VSC...thus, the computer will NOT cut engine power when there's slippage.

 

[GRIMACE]

Thanks Thai,

Another question. Am I correct to assume that the all-wheel drive system in the V8 model works in the same principle as the V6 in 4Hi and unlocked.

 

[Thai]

Thanks Thai,

Another question. Am I correct to assume that the all-wheel drive system in the V8 model works in the same principle as the V6 in 4Hi and unlocked.

Yup...you got it.