4x4 PSA: Use it or lose it monthly reminder
- Thread starter Kmvreter
- Start date
Since my wife and I recently bought a vacation home near Sylva NC I don't have to depend on these reminders any more. Our driveway is gravel and steep enough that it "requires" 4wd/AWD to get up. Not really that bad but I usually use 4wd just to avoid any spinning and keep from moving any of the gravel. But I've tried it in 2wd a few times and the 4runner has no problem. Not sure if it would start moving again if I were to stop though. And since we are up there at least once a month, I have my own reminder, lol.
patkelly4370
New member
I do this monthly reminder on our local Facebook page.
I also add a reminder to run that generator if you have one.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
I also add a reminder to run that generator if you have one.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
NICE! that makes it easy. just remember to engage 4L and lock the center differential once a month as well. it's not so much 4H that people have issues with...it's getting into/out of 4L along with the center diff you really need to make sure to use and not lose!
I tried synthetic and my actuator started leaking.
Good point! I'll have to do that. Last time we were there I ended up using the center diff lock and 4 low out of necessity. Someone else who lives on our entrance road plowed the road while it was raining in preparation for some new gravel being put down. It turned the road into a 6 inch deep clay quagmire. I really got to see how well the runner does in bad conditions. I still haven't gotten all the orange clay out of the fender wells. For about a day I was starting to regret buying the house; it was so bad. But as soon as it dried out they laid the new gravel and all is great now. But you're right, and I will exercise those functions at least once a month. With this new house if my 4wd fails I won't be able to just ignore it. It'll have to be fixed pronto, cost be damned. As a side note; I was very pleased with how well the runner got through that mud at it's worst. I tell my wife it's a mountain goat, lol.
pcphenom
New member
Thank to this thread for helping me get my 4low unstuck.
I doubted if just engaging and disengaging the 4low switch would work but I was wrong.
I left my new to me 06 4runner in the garage overnight with a heater in hopes to get the grease in the gears warmed up.
Tried it several times while going in and out of neutral. Then it went! At first I could hear the gears t-case gears kinda grinding a bit as if the actuator was moving slowly. After 4 or 5 more times it's engaging instantly now.
I went up a local trail in the slush and snow for a couple hours, working the 4low switch at least 2 dozen times.
Working perfectly!
Thanks again to this tread
I doubted if just engaging and disengaging the 4low switch would work but I was wrong.
I left my new to me 06 4runner in the garage overnight with a heater in hopes to get the grease in the gears warmed up.
Tried it several times while going in and out of neutral. Then it went! At first I could hear the gears t-case gears kinda grinding a bit as if the actuator was moving slowly. After 4 or 5 more times it's engaging instantly now.
I went up a local trail in the slush and snow for a couple hours, working the 4low switch at least 2 dozen times.
Working perfectly!
Thanks again to this tread
ieatfish
Member
It is the transition from 4HI to 4LO that give people the most problems, then the center diff lock second.
So, to answer your question, yes it would be prudent even in a V8.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
You apparently didn't read the very first post in this topic nor what it says in your owner's manual, it says to exercise the actuator once "every month" not every 6 months!
But it's your T4R do what you want to do.
WMU53
New member
Additionally ensure the vent lines are connected to your front and center actuators. Moisture seeping in the vent will ruin your actuator and day.
The front actuator quit on my off road 4R after repeated on/off cycles during a one day session, of in and out of a river valley, due to electrical continuity failure. Fortunately it failed in 4WD mode or the tow bill would have been outrageous. I purchased a NEW actuator from Toyota. The unit was defective. That issue was a royal pain in the A$$ with trouble shooting, returning the part to Toyota and dealing with a dis coordinated service manager who stuck his nose into the issue.
It is winter in my area. 4WD mode is on permanently until the ice and snow wear off the highways and is activated in the cities to navigate the ice on the roadways.
Use it or loose it OR Use it and loose it.
The front actuator quit on my off road 4R after repeated on/off cycles during a one day session, of in and out of a river valley, due to electrical continuity failure. Fortunately it failed in 4WD mode or the tow bill would have been outrageous. I purchased a NEW actuator from Toyota. The unit was defective. That issue was a royal pain in the A$$ with trouble shooting, returning the part to Toyota and dealing with a dis coordinated service manager who stuck his nose into the issue.
It is winter in my area. 4WD mode is on permanently until the ice and snow wear off the highways and is activated in the cities to navigate the ice on the roadways.
Use it or loose it OR Use it and loose it.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Moist
Member
I'm gonna be honest I don't think mine's ever been in 4LO. Uh oh.
Kmvreter
New member
Hi everyone! New to the 4Runner world. I picked up a 4wd v6 and reading all the posts on this forum I’m slowly thinking my issue might be a major problem lol. I got a 05 4Runner but when I put it in 4hi or 4lo none of the lights come on, I also don’t think it’s engaging at all (no clunk or jerk or anything, just feels like normal). However if I press the differential locker button, that light will turn on and it seem as if the diffs are locked.
Any suggestion on where to start? Could it be electrical? Mechanical? All of the above probably? Lol! Any help would be greatly appreciated
Any suggestion on where to start? Could it be electrical? Mechanical? All of the above probably? Lol! Any help would be greatly appreciated
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Aloha!
No response to operating the 4WD rotational switch? I'd start with electrical, and the simplest explanation would be someone disassembled the dash and neglected to put the plug back into the back of the switch. It's easy to forget one of the plugs, especially if you're in a hurry.
