Accidentaly engaging 4wd

[Coldnapalm]

Okay so heres my problem

im 6'4 so my knee sticks out a pretty good ways [yes my seat is all the way back] when i bought my 4runner i knew i was going to hate the 4wd switch as i really love a stick something mechanically connected. What i did not know was that i was going to be accidentally bumping it into 4wd with my knee ive done this 3 times in the 2 weeks ive owned the t4r [one time i even drove about 3 miles before i realized it because i only kneed it halfway and it click after some bumps into 4wd]. So my question is has anyone else run into this and what did you do to fix it. hopefully someone has because installing some dinky cover over it looks lame... Thanks!

 

[SMEE]

You can switch from H2 to H4 with no problems if youre going under 62 mph (the manual says). I would just be extra careful when youre up in that speed range not to bump the switch.
I haven't tried this, but maybe get a gatorade bottle top or a small cup (and cut the top off) to make yourself a cover. You could paint it black or silver to match the trim.
Also, you could possibly pull the 4wd fuse (I don't know where its located) but your dash may light up like a xmas tree.
Just a couple of thoughts.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

H4 won't damage anything so its okay if it shifts into it, they run a similar set-up on the V8 4Runners. But as the previous poster mentioned, should be below 62mph. As for a fix? A cover is going to be the best bet.

One more thing, the system will not engage unless it sees criteria it needs. IE if you try to shift into L4 while on the freeway the system will beep at you and no **** will happen.

 

[toyotatech84]

When i was in school our teacher told us that at some dealer in texas a tall ass dude made a custom bracket that covered the 4wd switch. like a simple bent piece of thick metal. Thats the only thing ive heard of.

 

[Coldnapalm]

Thanks for the info guys i do understand that driving with the 4 wheel engaged will not harm it in a straight line but when im turning sharp and slowly this causes my drive train to bind, hop, skid and puts tons of stress on the drive train . So i guess im going to fab up a metal bracket ill post it up when im done also living in Florida my average hi way speed is 70-85 any slower and ill be rear ended

toyotatech84 any way to reach him?

 

[ClockWork]

Thanks for the info guys i do understand that driving with the 4 wheel engaged will not harm it in a straight line but when im turning sharp and slowly this causes my drive train to bind, hop, skid and puts tons of stress on the drive train . So i guess im going to fab up a metal bracket ill post it up when im done also living in Florida my average hi way speed is 70-85 any slower and ill be rear ended

toyotatech84 any way to reach him?

No it doesnt do that so you don't understand it. It only behaves as described when the center diff is locked.

 

[Coldnapalm]

No it doesnt do that so you don't understand it. It only behaves as described when the center diff is locked.

ahh i wasnt even aware i just heard some drive train noise and assumed im coming from an fj cruiser which locked automatically when it was in 4

 

[MistrWebmastr]

Yea, I thought the same thing at first. The 4th gens have a wonderful MultiMode 4WD - Full-time 4WD, and lock the center diff to engage part-time 4WD and turn off VSC. It's pretty neat stuff.