Salvo Jimmy
Member
Agree, I do gentle turns and lane changes all the time when exercising mine in 4H, only do 4LO in a parking lot
Did You Break 4WD?
- Thread starter 1engineer
- Start date
Agree, I do gentle turns and lane changes all the time when exercising mine in 4H, only do 4LO in a parking lot
I really dislike the part-time system in my 4Runner. I should have bought a full-time one but they were only available on the very expensive models.
Part-time is nearly useless when it snows here, which doesn't happen very often. I have to constantly engage and disengage 4 wheel drive because the roads are not 100% covered with snow. It's nearly impossible to make turns with 4x4 engaged.
I simply take my 1998 Grand Cherokee when I need to go somewhere where 4x4 is needed. It's equipped with a user selectable full-time or part-time transfer case (NP-212, same TC as in a military Humvee). I can set it to full-time and forget it unless the differential in the transfer case needs to be disingaged for extra traction). The Jeep is a much better 4WD vehicle anyway.
Part-time is nearly useless when it snows here, which doesn't happen very often. I have to constantly engage and disengage 4 wheel drive because the roads are not 100% covered with snow. It's nearly impossible to make turns with 4x4 engaged.
I simply take my 1998 Grand Cherokee when I need to go somewhere where 4x4 is needed. It's equipped with a user selectable full-time or part-time transfer case (NP-212, same TC as in a military Humvee). I can set it to full-time and forget it unless the differential in the transfer case needs to be disingaged for extra traction). The Jeep is a much better 4WD vehicle anyway.
LandCruiser
New member
If that's your definition of a "better 4WD vehicle" than any modern crossover is better than your Jeep or 4Runner.
It's very important to keep tire pressure exactly the same in all 4 tires. All 4 tires must be of the same brand and model with about the same amount of wear. A 5 PSI difference in tire pressures may cause hard shifting to and from 4x4, especially on try pavement. If this is a problem and you can't correct the tire issue, try to engage/disengage 4x4 on a gravel road or on grassy shoulder.
Also, don't forget to drive with 4x4 engaged for at least 10 miles, once in a while, to keep the front differential lubricated. Front diff. and the front driveshaft do not rotate when in 2WD.
I really don't understand why Toyota equips most 4Runners with a part-time system only. It should be a user selectable - full-time or part time, possibly with a Neutral position for towing the vehicle without damaging the transmission.
It handles better off-road than my 4Runner. I feel a lot more confident when off-roading in the Jeep. It's been very capable, tough and reliable vehicle. I hope my 2016 4Runner keeps running this good for over 20 years.
Salvo Jimmy
Member
I did like my gen 4 SR5 better because it had full time 4WD in 4H with a locking center diff that could be used off road with VSC off. With full time best on partially snow covered or rain slick pavement and VSC on.
kenwilliams0803
New member
242, not 212.
Horsethief
New member
I had a 97 ZJ with the 242 case. Yup, it was a beast in the snow. That's a great case, very versatile.
Toyota offered something similar (multi-mode) in certain years/models of the 3rd gen 4Runner.
In typical Toyota fashion, they give us a vehicle now that's 20 years behind even their own vehicle, lol.
Horsethief
New member
I had a ZJ with the 242 as well. That's a great t-case, much more versatile than what we get in the 5th gen (non-Ltd). Actually, you could get this in the 80's in the XJ, so a 30y/o XJ has a better case than what we get, lol.
Also, the ZJ's are SFA. Mine had 31's, a 3" lift, and rear locker. That thing would OWN my 5th gen Trail offroad. The 4R is just much better on the road, though I think the Jeep may have rode better when it was 100% stock.
kenwilliams0803
New member
My last one had the 249 full time AWD case. Also a better option than what we get when it gets slippery out. More like what you would find in a T4R Limited. Here is a pic. Good old 360 5.9L too. It would also own my T4R on any trail with a Detroit in the rear and an OX in front. Thread hijack complete.
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Horsethief
New member
My last one had the 249 full time AWD case. Also a better option than what we get when it gets slippery out. More like what you would find in a T4R Limited. Here is a pic. Good old 360 5.9L too. It would also own my T4R on any trail with a Detroit in the rear and an OX in front. Thread hijack complete.
So sick! I always loved the Niners, I even cruise marketplace for them every once in a while. Yours looks like no joke!
Mine originally had a 249, but I swapped in a 242 out of an XJ when the VC got really bad. It was actually better offroad and in the snow in 4Hi with the bad VC, but once I put the locker in the rear it suckkkkked on pavement. It felt like driving a part time in 4hi on pavement.
Mine was a 4.0, so with the 249 I had the worst of both worlds, haha. I didn't know any better when I originally bought it.
mteolus
New member
:lol:
Dude, the 4.0 was one of the best engines ever made, regardless of a vehicle brand. They last forever and do provide excellent torque and performance for the Jeep. I haven't touched anything in mine except regular maintenance items. It runs as good as it did when I bought it in 1998. I never lifted it or did any major mods except installing decent tires. It's very capable off road in it's factory configuration and the height has never been a problem. The suspension articulation is excellent compared to a 4Runner.
I would not hesitate to drive it to Alaska and back, right now.
Yeah, the 249 TC was not the best one. This is why I chose a model with a 242. I once had a chance to look at a military Humvee on a lift. To my surprise, it was also equipped with an identical transfer case as my Jeep.
My last one had the 249 full time AWD case. Also a better option than what we get when it gets slippery out. More like what you would find in a T4R Limited. Here is a pic. Good old 360 5.9L too. It would also own my T4R on any trail with a Detroit in the rear and an OX in front. Thread hijack complete.
We all gonna get banned. :lol:
kenwilliams0803
New member
Haha thanks. It was no joke. It would chirp all 4 tires going into second and third with the L10 trans I put in it, but I also used to follow my friends around in their buggy contraptions on the trails.
I am actually supposed to be getting this one back in a few months. I sold it around 2004 or so but it found me again!Horsethief
New member
Haha thanks. It was no joke. It would chirp all 4 tires going into second and third with the L10 trans I put in it, but I also used to follow my friends around in their buggy contraptions on the trails.
That's awesome, congrats!
And funny enough, I actually saw one today. All stock, same color as yours. Shoulda stopped and checked it out, haha.
Horsethief
New member
Yeah, you're not wrong about the 4.0.
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't trashing the 4.0. I like the Jeep 4.0, actually a heck of a lot better than the Toyota one (I trash talk the Yota ALL the time!). It's just that it was a less than ideal combination with the 249 case. It was much better once I swapped in the 242. I think the Humvees actually do use HD version of that case, just without the 2wd option
I always thought mine was fairly quick until I went with 31" tires. Even with the 3.73 gears of the tow package, the extra tire weight definitely made itself known. My buddy had a similar ZJ, but with the 5.2, and his didn't even notice the 31's.
All this ZJ talk, now I want another!
I'll have to dig out my old ZJ pics, I have some flex ones where the FRONT end is flexing like the rear of a 4Runner.
jcarchitect
New member
Shifting to 4 Low in Park
I'm new to the forum as well as owning a 4Runner with 4WD capabilities. I found this thread trying to find an answer online. I misread the manual and shifted into 4 Low while in Park trying to learn how this worked. I didn't force it. However, now I know it needs to be in neutral before shifting into 4 Low. Just wondering if I may have damaged anything. I'm a rookie here and any advice is appreciated.
I'm new to the forum as well as owning a 4Runner with 4WD capabilities. I found this thread trying to find an answer online. I misread the manual and shifted into 4 Low while in Park trying to learn how this worked. I didn't force it. However, now I know it needs to be in neutral before shifting into 4 Low. Just wondering if I may have damaged anything. I'm a rookie here and any advice is appreciated.
Gamma Ray
Banned
Probably not. Especially since you weren't moving.
Do you have an SR5? Then definitely not. It'll just beep at you.
chrisridebike8
Member
Which model do you have? if you have one that shifts electronically (not a TRD OR or TRD Pro), the truck probably kept you from doing any harm. If you have a shift level for 4WD and you didn't force it, you are probably also fine. They tell you to stop and shift to neutral for a couple reasons: 1) so you don't overrev the engine because the gearing is so much lower. 2) because the low range stuff in the transfer case needs to engage. If you were in park, it probably just didn't engage. best way to find out is to go shift it into 4Lo and see if it feels fine.
