Engaging the 4WD system

[Salvo Jimmy]

jasoncz;thanks for your response to my question re: trans in P vs. in N when shifting in/out 4wd gears. so today i tried shifting h2-h4 with trans in N and did not hear/feel any grinding noises. i guess there is a break-in period that it shifts smoother over time with use. as for the comments about not using 4wd on dry pavement, it is probably ok for short-term, short distance use as when FM recommends monthly maintenance of 10miles engaged in 4wd to keep parts lubed!

I exercise my 4H on long straight stretches in my neighborhood. Then go to a large empty industrial parking lot and do 4LO. In both avoiding any turns, because that is where damage from binding can occur.

BTW my 2016 manual has the caveat on 4H and dry pavement.

OBTW I did the same with my 2004 for 4LO and never a problem in 12 years. 4Hi was ok on dry pavement as the diff on it could be unlocked.

 

[WhiskeyMikeTango]

I have a SR5 4x4, and this is my first vehicle with part time 4WD. How does one engage the 4WD system into H4 or H2? I started the engine and transmission was in P position, the 4WD system was in N. I cannot shift the 4WD system to H4 (or H2). I moved the transmission to D or R and obviously the vehicle did not move as the 4WD is in N. Then I move park to P, and heard a grinding noise .

When I move the transmission to N, I was able to engage the 4WD system to H4 and then H2.

The user manual on page 223 did not mention anything about the position of the transmission before engaging the 4WD system. Any insights? Thanks!

My 16 is difficult to engage 4WD when moving. When it does engage the 4wd the light will blink forever until it finally engages. What I do to make it easier. At approx 5mph i shift the trans to neutral while still rolling and then shift the 4HI. The shift is easy and smooth and engages immediately. I do the same for 4HI TO 2HI. Only time i come to a complete stop is for 4LO. Stop, trans Neutral then shift to 4LO then shift trans to D. works great.

 

[1engineer]

Just an FYI... this thread is six years old and most who posted aren't here anymore.

 

[calcrc]

4WD is similar to Rocket Surgery !

 

[blues]

Here Be Dragons!

Just an FYI... this thread is six years old and most who posted aren't here anymore.

Probably because nobody bothered to explain to them that if they hit the wrong button or engaged 4WD in the wrong sequence...

...uh oh!!! :wow2:

 

[racepauly]

My 16 is difficult to engage 4WD when moving. When it does engage the 4wd the light will blink forever until it finally engages. What I do to make it easier. At approx 5mph i shift the trans to neutral while still rolling and then shift the 4HI. The shift is easy and smooth and engages immediately. I do the same for 4HI TO 2HI. Only time i come to a complete stop is for 4LO. Stop, trans Neutral then shift to 4LO then shift trans to D. works great.

Well written. I've learned that the gears take some getting used to for going in and out of 4wd. Almost like a break in period. When I street drive I just pop it into 4wd just to lube it up. (Small distance in slower speeds)
This way when I need it the gears are easier.

 

[4Executor]

Got it. I was confused between "Shift Level" and "front wheel drive control level". My bad...thanks.

Same with me on the 2017 4Runner I just took delivery of. The confusing aspect is that there's an "N" (neutral) position for both levers.

Is damage possible when engaging 4WD low (L4) while in Park instead of Neutral? This is what I did accidentally. It seemed to work, or at least I didn't hear any funny sounds or the shriek of metal grinding and tearing.

Anyhow, I hope I didn't destroy some crucial parts on a brand-new vehicle that I've had for all of one day. Should I get it checked out, or am I worrying too much? Thanks for any suggestions.

ETA: From carefully re-reading some of the posts above, I get the impression that it might be preferable to be in Park instead of Neutral when engaging L4. That certainly would be nice.

 

[(none)]

Same with me on the 2017 4Runner I just took delivery of. The confusing aspect is that there's an "N" (neutral) position for both levers.

Is damage possible when engaging 4WD low (L4) while in Park instead of Neutral? This is what I did accidentally. It seemed to work, or at least I didn't hear any funny sounds or the shriek of metal grinding and tearing.

Anyhow, I hope I didn't destroy some crucial parts on a brand-new vehicle that I've had for all of one day. Should I get it checked out, or am I worrying too much? Thanks for any suggestions.

ETA: From carefully re-reading some of the posts above, I get the impression that it might be preferable to be in Park instead of Neutral when engaging L4. That certainly would be nice.

It'll be fine. Some manufacturers systems only let you do one or the other. Neutral is sometimes easier, as the vehicle can roll a few feet as you engage low to help everything mesh. All at less than a walking pace, of course. Either way, don't be too gentle with it, be firm to get it fully in gear. At least with a manual transfercase that is, in the electronically actuated ones, it won't matter.

 

[Marcusb808]

2004 4runner

I just bought a 2004 4runner limited V8 and I went to go turn the 4wd on and notice there’s only H4 and L4 and it’s already on H4. Is it always in H4? I can’t seem to find a H2 on the knob you turn

 

[Stol3n]

I just bought a 2004 4runner limited V8 and I went to go turn the 4wd on and notice there’s only H4 and L4 and it’s already on H4. Is it always in H4? I can’t seem to find a H2 on the knob you turn

Since you have a 4th gen v8 you only have h4 or l4, v6 4th gens had h2.

 

[markie671]

I just bought a 2004 4runner limited V8 and I went to go turn the 4wd on and notice there’s only H4 and L4 and it’s already on H4. Is it always in H4? I can’t seem to find a H2 on the knob you turn

Limited V8 are full time 4H versus V6 part time. Full time = always on like an AWD But not.

 

[kcp1158]

You didn't state if this was a new or used vehicle. If used make sure your tires are all the same size, dealers often replace either the front or the back sets not understanding you should change all 4. I've seen issues with the 4Runner not engaging with different brands and sizes of tires. Just make sure they are the same brand and size all the way around. Also make sure the driveline has been greased, many times this is overlooked during servicing. Switching from H2 to H4 can be done anytime, as long as your under 50mph but H4 to L4 you must be stopped in neutral.

 

[MossJenks]

What about issues getting out of 4lo? Mine has gotten so it will not go up to 4hi from 4lo with the truck running. Neutral, park, complete stop, slow roll - nothing seems to make a difference. I have to shut the motor off or it just grinds. It's not a big deal because I usually need to air up at the same time, but just wondering if I could have some underlying issue sneaking up on me. Otherwise the TC acts normal. This is my first vehicle with an AT so that part is still a bit of a mystery....

 

[AZ_Trails]

What about issues getting out of 4lo? Mine has gotten so it will not go up to 4hi from 4lo with the truck running. Neutral, park, complete stop, slow roll - nothing seems to make a difference. I have to shut the motor off or it just grinds. It's not a big deal because I usually need to air up at the same time, but just wondering if I could have some underlying issue sneaking up on me. Otherwise the TC acts normal. This is my first vehicle with an AT so that part is still a bit of a mystery....

There shouldn’t be any grinding shifting L4 to H4 (or the other way around) when the vehicle is stopped, foot on the brakes, transmission in neutral. I’m assuming this is how you’ve been trying it?

 

[MossJenks]

Yeah exactly. I don't quite understand where the movement in the system is coming from if the wheels are stopped and the transmission is in neutral - but as I said I don't completely understand how an auto transmission works. In my head I try to equate neutral in a manual with neutral in an automatic but obviously they're not the same thing.

 

[Yinzer]

DISengaging 4WD, soft lever?

Question for the experience in the room: is a soft lever when shifting out of 4WD normal?

I have a 2017 TRD ORP and I haven’t actually used 4WD that much but I exercise it twice a month or so on a gravel road, up to and including e-locker. However, over noticed that if I’m not on really loose ground and/or above 10-mph, when I put the lever back into 2wd, the lever goes, but it feels like to stretches there and doesn’t actually disengage the front wheels, then I eventually hear the click as it actually pops out.

My concern with this is stretching the linkage. Thoughts? It almost seems like it is designed with a spring in that direction so that it’s not a direct stuff linkage.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LandCruiser]

Question for the experience in the room: is a soft lever when shifting out of 4WD normal?

I have a 2017 TRD ORP and I haven’t actually used 4WD that much but I exercise it twice a month or so on a gravel road, up to and including e-locker. However, over noticed that if I’m not on really loose ground and/or above 10-mph, when I put the lever back into 2wd, the lever goes, but it feels like to stretches there and doesn’t actually disengage the front wheels, then I eventually hear the click as it actually pops out.

My concern with this is stretching the linkage. Thoughts? It almost seems like it is designed with a spring in that direction so that it’s not a direct stuff linkage.

Thanks in advance.

The lever really isn't connected to anything.

 

[Engineer]

The lever really isn't connected to anything.

Isn't it connected to the shift rail/fork in the transfer case?

My guess is his "pop" is the ADD disconnecting but not sure as mine always comes out smooth

 

[LandCruiser]

Isn't it connected to the shift rail/fork in the transfer case?

My guess is his "pop" is the ADD disconnecting but not sure as mine always comes out smooth

I thought that it was an electronic switch for the ADD for the 2-4 high range?

 

[STX4Runner]

I thought that it was an electronic switch for the ADD for the 2-4 high range?

It's an actual physical link to the transfer case. It vibrates and moves while driving and you can feel resistance when shifting. I don't know what pop he's describing, though.