4x4 PSA: Use it or lose it monthly reminder

With the warmer temps well above freezing, which greatly enhances the exercise, I've been going into and out of 4Hi, both while stationary with the transmission in N, and on the fly. I love hearing the clicking sound coming from the console, although I have no idea what that is!

We'll see whether 4Lo cooperates when we get into the hotter temps, 70 deg F, and above.
 
Great thread!

H2 to H4 is fast but I need to start working L4 and CDL into the rotation.

Do I need to engage the CDL in both H4 and L4 or is one fine? Not sure if there are separate actuators for CDL in H4/L4.
 
theoutbackdream said:
Good to know. So essentially, all we really need to care about is the movement of the actuator then? Nothing else? That's my understanding of it.



Thanks for the link!
Click to expand...



Essentially. It's usually the actuator that gets stuck and keeps things from engaging. The secondary benefit would be keeping the transfer case components and gears lubricated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
When I purchased my 2003 V8 with 80,000 miles, the center diff lock didn't work. The sales man said it was owned by an old lady previously. I thought that was the typical sales pitch until I saw the wiring for an old person scooter lift at the receiver. My guess is she never once locked the diff. It took a couple months of working the diff lock button, but something finally bribe loose and it started working flawlessly.

On a similar note, I don't think she ever shifted into a position lower than D. The shifter was very stiff going to lower gears until something broke. Now the shifter moves too smoothly... it won't hold any lateral position. So when I'm towing our travel trailer, and want to stay in 4th, I have quite literally hold it in position the whole time...
 
MRpink said:
Found an empty parking lot to work L4/CDL for the first time and happy to report no issues whatsoever!
Click to expand...

Since you say "first time" I'm going to assume you don't know this --

Make sure you're on a surface that will let the tires slip a bit (like gravel or mud) when you lock the center differential. There has to be a little "give" or the drivetrain will bind up.
 
Montego Murph said:
Since you say "first time" I'm going to assume you don't know this --

Make sure you're on a surface that will let the tires slip a bit (like gravel or mud) when you lock the center differential. There has to be a little "give" or the drivetrain will bind up.
Click to expand...

Didn't have that so I just kept it straight and extra slow. :thumb:
 
Just want to share a personal experience re: the CDL...

For the center differential lock, it certainly helps to have all 4 tires of the same (or very similar) diameters. My center diff would lock within about 3 seconds of pushing the button. 3 weeks ago, I replaced my rear tires - new ones have 13/32" tread depth. Front tires had 5/32" tread depth. In this configuration, I waited 20+ seconds for it to lock, but it didn't. I replaced the front tires last week, so now all 4 are at 13/32", and it locks within 1-3 seconds. Having the front and rear axles spinning at the same speed lets the CDL engage much more quickly.
 
jambone said:
Just want to share a personal experience re: the CDL...

For the center differential lock, it certainly helps to have all 4 tires of the same (or very similar) diameters. My center diff would lock within about 3 seconds of pushing the button. 3 weeks ago, I replaced my rear tires - new ones have 13/32" tread depth. Front tires had 5/32" tread depth. In this configuration, I waited 20+ seconds for it to lock, but it didn't. I replaced the front tires last week, so now all 4 are at 13/32", and it locks within 1-3 seconds. Having the front and rear axles spinning at the same speed lets the CDL engage much more quickly.
Click to expand...
It sounds like you engage the CDL on the fly...? I have been doing this while stationary and in N.
 
new to 4wd system

Hi everybody, recently brought at 2016 TE with 4wd. This is my first 4wd car and just happen to stumble upon this thread. Got a few questions hoping someone can help me out!

1. The engagement of the 4wd system is a shift knob not a turn knob I saw in a couple of pictures in the forum. Can I shift to 4HI anytime I want? going 70 on the freeway or 10 in a parking lot? Or should I always engage 4HI or back to 2HI in park?

2. I can only engage into 4Lo when I am in neutral and was told only to use 4Lo in neutral.

3. There's also a "neutral" position on the shift knob of the 4wd system, what is this for?

Does anyone know of a 2016 4wd tutorial?

Thanks for the help in advance!
 
Jingbobby said:
Hi everybody, recently brought at 2016 TE with 4wd. This is my first 4wd car and just happen to stumble upon this thread. Got a few questions hoping someone can help me out!

1. The engagement of the 4wd system is a shift knob not a turn knob I saw in a couple of pictures in the forum. Can I shift to 4HI anytime I want? going 70 on the freeway or 10 in a parking lot? Or should I always engage 4HI or back to 2HI in park?

2. I can only engage into 4Lo when I am in neutral and was told only to use 4Lo in neutral.

3. There's also a "neutral" position on the shift knob of the 4wd system, what is this for?

Does anyone know of a 2016 4wd tutorial?

Thanks for the help in advance!
Click to expand...

Jingbobby, this thread is for the 4th Gen 4Runners, you have a 5th Gen. The 4th Gen's use electric actuators for their transfer case. If they don't get regularly exercised they stop working.

Your 5th Gen Trail Edition has a manual transfer case, hence the shift lever. Your owner's manual should tell you everything you need to know about when you can shift into 4Hi and 4Lo. If you don't have an owners manual, you really should go to your nearest dealer and get one.

Hope that helps.
 
Just saw this thread today and only have had my 07 sport V8 for a couple of weeks. So I tested out the CDL first. It just flashed for a while. Turned it off, turned it back on, felt engagement and the light stayed solid. So I guess that works.

Now onto the 4wd low. I tired it the first time and it just flashed and beeped. I tried it again and it stayed on solid. I drove about 20 feet with it on, and it was a lot of thuds and bucking. Now, I know 4wd low isn't designed for pavement but is this normal for just doing a quick test? I also don't feel or hear anything engage until I pull it back into D. I'm new to 4wd vehicles.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Haven't used 4Lo or CDL in over 5 years, tried them today and they engaged flawlessly. LOL

Running Amsoil Severe Gear 75W90 in front/rear/tc for the last 160,000 km
 
Just out of curiosity...

Are your t4r's engaging 4hi, 4lo, and CDL roughly the same amount of flashes every time you switch it?

I've noticed that going from 2wd to 4hi can take anywhere from 4 blinks, to 15 blinks. 4lo and CDL, is 4 blinks to 10 blinks.
 
was away for a couple of months and the truck was parked, got back and tried shifting into 4wd...and it blinked and blinked..no dice.. it finally engaged with a rough thunk after a while, same thing happened when switching into 2wd.
tried switching back n forth on the fly for about 10x and a slight improvement was observed, though the rough thunking sound is still there.

should i be worried?. is that sign of an impending failure?..is there anything i can do apart from continous exercise?.
didnt even bother try 4hi and 4lo..was afraid it may get stuck and keep me stranded on the road
 
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