did I destroy it?

[MHartley]

I just bought a 93 4Runner. It has a lot of miles, but I got a smokin' deal on it. I love the beautiful beast.

That being said I obviously don't know too much about it. I pretty much did the worst thing possible on my test drive. I put the truck in 4wd on dry pavement and took it in a tight circle in a parking lot (I know now that that was extremely dumb, so please not too much beef). There was binding, but the truck did make the turn all the way around fine. It seems to drive fine now and I haven't put it in 4x4 since.

How do I know if I did any damage? Also, how important is the 10 miles a month in 4wd? I live in California, most of the year it is dry and dirt roads are hard to come by. Is it worth being careful to drive completely straight for a mile or so every once in a while, or should I just forget about it?

 

[shuly]

I just bought a 93 4Runner. It has a lot of miles, but I got a smokin' deal on it. I love the beautiful beast.

That being said I obviously don't know too much about it. I pretty much did the worst thing possible on my test drive. I put the truck in 4wd on dry pavement and took it in a tight circle in a parking lot (I know now that that was extremely dumb, so please not too much beef). There was binding, but the truck did make the turn all the way around fine. It seems to drive fine now and I haven't put it in 4x4 since.

How do I know if I did any damage? Also, how important is the 10 miles a month in 4wd? I live in California, most of the year it is dry and dirt roads are hard to come by. Is it worth being careful to drive completely straight for a mile or so every once in a while, or should I just forget about it?

The vehicle should be fine...if you did something really bad it usually makes a very loud bang and then things don't go anymore

The only beef I have with what you have said is dirt roads are hard to come by in CA....umm....very much untrue!!! Do a little searching...you should find yourself very surprised at how many places there are to wheel in CA. Big Bear, the Sierras, the Mojave, Death Valley, Mt Shasta ... it is endless!!! Don't worry about this 10mi/mo stuff. Just use the 4x once in a while. Especially since its a 93, it should be well broken in (assuming the past owner wheeled it).

 

[Ulfr]

Hehe, congrats with the 'runner. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.

And 'bout the transfer case, it's not the strongest doze on the market, but it sure as hell didn't broke when I took a tight corner on a dry pavement in the 4wd... Even on the 44s... =)
(don't ask... I forgot it was still in 4wd...)

 

[darkness]

as for the 10 miles a month in 4X4 you dont need to be in 4X4 just lock the hubs this engages the diff to keep it nice and lubed etc but it will have no drive unless you go from H2 to H4 etc..

so once a month engage the hubs (and thats all) drive to work (and back as the case maybe) and then disengage the hubs..

as for no 4X4ing ing CA.. you WHAAAA? i live in AUS and i know thats where Baja'ing started in the 60's

 

[n8buddy]

as for the 10 miles a month in 4X4 you dont need to be in 4X4 just lock the hubs this engages the diff to keep it nice and lubed etc but it will have no drive unless you go from H2 to H4 etc..

so once a month engage the hubs (and thats all) drive to work (and back as the case maybe) and then disengage the hubs..

as for no 4X4ing ing CA.. you WHAAAA? i live in AUS and i know thats where Baja'ing started in the 60's

well he has a 93 runner so its safe to assume it has ADD, so it doesnt have locking hubs ie the hubs are locked all the time. The only thing thats not spinning when you drive in 2H is the front drive shaft, which is why they say to have it in 4wd once a month.

 

[MHartley]

it does have ADD, so I can't just lock in the hubs...

I have another random question. What does the Clutch Start Cancel do? When should it be used?

Thanks for all of your help so far

 

[n8buddy]

the clutch start cancel button allows you to start the truck with the clutch engaged. its useful off road if you stall on a hill, b/c instead of starting the truck normally and trying to get going on the hill (and risk rolling backwards or smoking the clutch), you can just leave it in gear (1st gear low range is easiest on the starter), press the button and turn the key. the truck will immediately start crawling up the hill.

it also comes in handy when the bracket holding you clutch in place breaks and the clutch wont disengage (which is apparently a fairly common problem). Use the button to get started in gear and float the gears to get home/to the repair shop.

 

[MHartley]

thanks again, you guys have been super helpful. is it bad to use the clutch start cancel to start it all the time?

any opinion on K&N air filters, I had one on my old Ford. It gave me 1 or 2 mpg better, but is there a risk it's letting too much in the air intake?

 

[Ulfr]

Err, the 4runner actually has that as an option? ....
Very weird, I've never heard of this before!
(and I thought *I* were a toyotiac!)

 

[nvexplorer]

thanks again, you guys have been super helpful. is it bad to use the clutch start cancel to start it all the time?

any opinion on K&N air filters, I had one on my old Ford. It gave me 1 or 2 mpg better, but is there a risk it's letting too much in the air intake?

I have the cluch start cancel switch and a clutch switch bypass toggle. Installed a remote starter and wanted to start it any time. Not just when I can push the button. It is fine to use it whenever, but if you leave it in gear it will wear out the starter and possibly the ring gear.

I also have the K&N FIPK. Got it real cheap. Not really any mileage gains, but then again my O2 sensor is toast, so we'll see what happens when I get that replaced. Just make sure to clean it every now and then. I also have a drycharger on it as I live in dusty country. Also keeps off the bugs, sticks, hair, and whatever else would get caught in the pleats. We don't really have to worry about over oiling as the MAF is a vane type. No wire to get coated in oil, but don't over do it on the oil.