Engaging 4wd on the fly

[cooper30]

Just to reiterate...

Part time 4x4 system you can shift from 2wd to 4 high "on the fly"

Full time 4x4 system you can lock the center differential "on the fly"

BOTH systems need to be stopped in neutral to shift in or out of 4 low.

My real world experience as I have one of each:

In my full time truck I let off the throttle a bit when I push the center diff button. Doing this takes the load off the drive line.

In my part time truck I let off the throttle when shifting between 2wd and 4 high....again, I like to take the load off the drive line.

My first Toyota was a little 1987 4x4 pick up I bought in 1988. I could shift between 2wd and 4 high on the fly in that....provided the hubs were locked...but now I'm dating myself.

 

[eleven14]

In my full time truck I let off the throttle a bit when I push the center diff button. Doing this takes the load off the drive line.

In my part time truck I let off the throttle when shifting between 2wd and 4 high....again, I like to take the load off the drive line.

Same. V6/part time and works for me by alternating letting off the gas (unloading the driveline) and slight braking. Someone mentioned it a few posts back, but turning the wheel side-to-side could also help.

 

[eleven14]

Hey, man! Thanks for replying.

yeah, it was -12 this morning when I got up. I thought maybe that had something to do with it. It never got above 6 yesterday when I was trying to engage/disengage on the fly.

I am not sure when the fluid was last changed. I had planned to do that this weekend, actually. I am able to engage and disengage 4WD just fine if I am stopped. What I do is put the car in park, turn knob, then put to N, then R, then D and it kicks right in (or out).

Hah, been a nasty few weeks in the midwest for sure. I'd recommend new fluids and inspecting CVs/etc. when the weather permits as a next step unless anyone else has additional wisdom to share.

 

[Seymore Butts]

OP - a thud is normal, but grinding isn't supposed to happen.