Engagng 4WD
- Thread starter Berry
- Start date
daugherty83
New member
The 98 has no center differential. Only a 2speed transfer case that splitspower evenly between front and rear axles.
Hey did you get a hold of a owners manual yet? Heres a link to a .pdf file of it.
Should work I got my manual from here as well.
Heres a link to download the 1998 T4R Manual:
http://www.manuals.ws/files/get/id/17762/TOYOTA+4Runner+1998+Owners+manual.html
Should work I got my manual from here as well.
Heres a link to download the 1998 T4R Manual:
http://www.manuals.ws/files/get/id/17762/TOYOTA+4Runner+1998+Owners+manual.html
96743runner
New member
When you get used to the 4wd system, it's actually pretty easy to use.
Like others said before, to drive in 2wd, the button shouldn't be pushed in and the light on the dash should be off. To shift into 4H, just press the button in at any speed below 60 mph on a non paved surface. To shift into 4Low have the truck stopped and the transmission in neutral then push the lever forward into 4L. Sometimes mines grinds a little, but that's normal (I think). I've never put my transfer case in neutral.
This is just what I do with my 98 limited.
Like others said before, to drive in 2wd, the button shouldn't be pushed in and the light on the dash should be off. To shift into 4H, just press the button in at any speed below 60 mph on a non paved surface. To shift into 4Low have the truck stopped and the transmission in neutral then push the lever forward into 4L. Sometimes mines grinds a little, but that's normal (I think). I've never put my transfer case in neutral.
This is just what I do with my 98 limited.
Hey Shoke,
Thanks for the info for getting the owners manual in pdf format from the link! For what it's worth I contacted Toyota and told them I recently purchased a 4Runner and they emailed me back and told me they were sending out the manual free of charge. So if you ever need the original you might be able to get one from Toyota directly.
Thanks again!:hatsoff:
yeap, 100% correct. button is for AWD, no center connect. no binding.
absolutely nothing wrong with shifting to 4wd on the fly. the transfer case actually meshes when turning.
daugherty83
New member
Anyone know the distribution of power when in AWD mode on our 4Runners? I have heard it is somewhere around 60/40 with 60 to the rear wheels? I can def. feel when I am in AWD, and wondering about the power distribution. On my previous 99 Expedition, it's AWD was always on but sent power to the front wheels only on slippage of the rear wheels.
sure about that? this guy has a limited. why would they put a button on the shifter? just for lazy people?
i think we have some misconceptions here. this should be correct for all 96-00 4wd limited models.
Button on shifter=AWD, no center connection/lock between the front and rear driveshafts. safe to use on mixed/dry surfaces with no binding. i.e melting snow/slush with dry spots on road. ok to shift on fly.
Shift into 4HI= center connection. locks the font and rear driveshafts together. use only on loose surface where binding will not occur due to tires scrubbing off rotation differences. i.e. snow covered road. ok to shift on fly.
Shift to 4LO= Same as 4HI with a gear reduction. Use in off-road crawling situations where more power and less wheel speed is needed. Never shift to or from if not completely stopped.
Rear Locker = locks rear wheels together. without modding it can only be used in 4LOW. Never ever use on high traction surface, something will give and it may not be the tires. This is the best possibility for traction in a stock limited 4runner. It is actually 3 wheel drive, both rear wheels and 1 wheel with the least resistance in the front due to being an open differencial.
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daugherty83
New member
I thought on my 2001 that my center diff isn't locked until I press the button on the left side of the dash. I can therefore be in 4hi and 4lo without having the diff lock. Of course I have an 01 though
you're right. your 01 has the center lock on the dash in place of the RR locker in previous limited models. i should've gone through all of the configurations i guess.
Martinjmpr
New member
My understanding is that the center differential did not appear until the 99 model (where it appeared on the Limited first) and that 96-98 models have a conventional 2wd/4wd (i.e. part time 4wd) system, regardless of whether it's selected by a button or by moving the lever. :shrug:
Starting in 2001 the center diff was on all 4runners, SR5 and Limited alike, but that was also the year they dropped the locking rear diff option. That's why for many people the "holy grail" 3rd gen is the 99 - 00 Limited, because that was the only model on which you could get both the center diff and the rear locker.
I'll stand corrected if someone chimes in but I've never seen or heard of a 96-98 4runner with a center diff.
240m3srt
New member
Anyone got a pic of a center differential in a 3rd gen...is it near the transfer case?
J.A.
Senior Member
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240m3srt
New member
Its inside the VF3AM transfer case.
So it is INSIDE the transfer case. My 96' has that actuator thing attached to the outside, does that mean i have the center diff?
J.A.
Senior Member
jmorabito25
New member
2005 4runner 4wd engaging issue (light goes blinking to solid)
I recently noticed that my 4wd won't engage. The light goes from blinking to solid green within 3 seconds (use to take about 10), but 4wd isn't engaged.
Please help me with solutions!
I recently noticed that my 4wd won't engage. The light goes from blinking to solid green within 3 seconds (use to take about 10), but 4wd isn't engaged.
Please help me with solutions!
I know this is an old thread but the information on here has helped clear some questions. I'm also knew to 4wd and recently purchased a 2001 4runner sr5 4wd. When I bought it my uncle was trying to test out the 4wd to see if it worked. I didn't know much but I knew the granny had to be on N before shifting 4wd. And while moving the 4wd I kept hearing grinding noises. I was wondering if that could have damaged the transmission? Lately when I start the car and shift from P to D and I press on the pedal, the car starts to Rev but won't move until several second later. Could what my uncle did be the cause of this? Again I'm new to all this and any information would be appreciated. Thank you
Have you checked the transmission fluid level?
You don't say what 4wd system you have but as a rule you only have to have it in neutral to engage 4lo if you have the J shifter.
