For V6 4WD: THE ULTIMATE way to shift in and out of 4Hi/4Lo

[MICA4R]

After lots of frustration of the actuator taking forever (10-20seconds) to get me into 4WD, I did some experiments & a touch of common sense and the result is I discovered the ULTIMATE way to get in/out of 4WD/Hi/Lo/Difflock on the V6's and I am guessing because my actuator can get in on the first attempt I'm preserving the life of the system.

:cowboy:My system: Get the 4R rolling 1-2 MPH & Steering @ 0degrees (like barely barely rolling) shift into Neutral then turn knob to 4WD of choice. (all while in neutral)

I can get fron 2WD -> 4Hi -> 4Lo -> Diff lock in <5 seconds. Unbelieveable!

Now, for the hard part try doing this when you are in actual need of the 4WD. haha, good system. I would have preferred manual 4WD shift lever with a TORSEN. (Its not available)

 

[NJshadow93]

Today I put it in 4LO just for the hell of it and it took a second to switch. I was stopped in neutral. It was the first time in a little less than a month or so I exercised it. The last time it took maybe 10 seconds or so, but I hadn't exercised it in about 2 months before that. So now I'm probably going to exercise it once a month or so to make sure everything is working properly.

 

[mrpanic7]

After lots of frustration of the actuator taking forever (10-20seconds) to get me into 4WD, I did some experiments & a touch of common sense and the result is I discovered the ULTIMATE way to get in/out of 4WD/Hi/Lo/Difflock on the V6's and I am guessing because my actuator can get in on the first attempt I'm preserving the life of the system.

:cowboy:My system: Get the 4R rolling 1-2 MPH & Steering @ 0degrees (like barely barely rolling) shift into Neutral then turn knob to 4WD of choice. (all while in neutral)

I can get fron 2WD -> 4Hi -> 4Lo -> Diff lock in <5 seconds. Unbelieveable!

Now, for the hard part try doing this when you are in actual need of the 4WD. haha, good system. I would have preferred manual 4WD shift lever with a TORSEN. (Its not available)

Have you also swapped all your diff fluids for synthetic?

 

[GMZ]

After I put in syn diff fluid it goes into 4LO in <2sec.

I thought you were supposed to be stopped with the trans in N with the brake pressed to go into 4LO?

 

[deedst4r]

Okay, get ready for an extreme n00b question.

What are the benefits/reasons for getting synthetic fluid?

Once again, I'm sorry for my n00bness!

 

[michaelreed]

Okay, get ready for an extreme n00b question.

What are the benefits/reasons for getting synthetic fluid?

Once again, I'm sorry for my n00bness!

Quick google search:

Look on the shelf of your local auto parts house and you'll see more oils than breakfast cereal choices at the supermarket. It wasn't so long ago that you had about a half dozen to pick from, and since they were all made from the same gunk, it didn't matter much anyway. Then in the early 1970s popped up a new batch of lubricants -- synthetic oils. Made popular by brands like Amsoil and Mobil 1, die-hard gear heads, racers and enthusiasts started using synthetic oil exclusively. Unfortunately, it wasn't until almost two decades later that the major oil companies started offering synthetics to the masses. Despite the number of benefits over mined oil (the stuff they pump out of the ground), Americans still haven't fully embraced this advanced technology.

So what's the difference? Synthetic oil is produced in a lab, which means the only stuff in it is what they put in it. Despite the high-tech refining of crude oil, there are still contaminants in the oil that can build up and eventually damage an engine. Changing your oil and filter removes any loose particles that form, but often the build-up occurs in an isolated area of your engine, usually where it gets really, really hot. This build up can clog oil passages and valves, which can eventually lead to reduced engine life.

There are also ecological benefits to using synthetic oil. Its viscosity (ability to lubricate) stays higher than mined oil at high temperatures, enough to even affect your gas mileage. Since it breaks down much more slowly than petroleum-based oil, you can greatly extend the time between oil changes. One truck driver drove his semi 409,000 miles on synthetic without changing the oil! Think of how much less oil would have to be collected and recycled if we used half as much every year.

The bottom line is synthetic motor oils are an easy choice. The extra couple of bucks you spend for an oil change will be returned in no time at all. Better is better, whether its engine life, gas mileage or environmental impact.

-----------------------------------------------

Granted it's a little different for diff fluid etc, but it basically lubricates better than conventional oil. Someone feel free to add to this.

 

[MikeInNH]

The bottom line is synthetic motor oils are an easy choice. The extra couple of bucks you spend for an oil change will be returned in no time at all. Better is better, whether its engine life, gas mileage or environmental impact.

Unless you drive in extreme cold weather...or do a lot of towing....there is ZERO benefit to synthetic.

Will synthetic oil increase engine life...This I do agree with...but by how much. I can show you HUNDREDS of people who have engines with HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of miles on them using nothing but regular dyno oil.

Gas Mileage increase - There have been many different independent tests on this...and gas mileage increase is pretty much insignificant if there actually is any.

Environmental impact - This only falls in the field of people who "Think" they can lengthen their oil change intervals by using synthetic oil. Well the mechanical engineers who designed the engines don't think so. Plus for many of us who live in towns like mine that have waste oil heaters to heat their DPW garages..it's a moot point.

 

[crackiswack]

Unless you drive in extreme cold weather...or do a lot of towing....there is ZERO benefit to synthetic.

Will synthetic oil increase engine life...This I do agree with...but by how much. I can show you HUNDREDS of people who have engines with HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of miles on them using nothing but regular dyno oil.

Gas Mileage increase - There have been many different independent tests on this...and gas mileage increase is pretty much insignificant if there actually is any.

Environmental impact - This only falls in the field of people who "Think" they can lengthen their oil change intervals by using synthetic oil. Well the mechanical engineers who designed the engines don't think so. Plus for many of us who live in towns like mine that have waste oil heaters to heat their DPW garages..it's a moot point.

What makes you say that? UOA of synthetics that are formulated with extended drain characteristics almost always come back better than conventional oils.

 

[MICA4R]

Have you also swapped all your diff fluids for synthetic?

only the REAR but that doesn't have an actuator...

Does anyone know what the heck the actuator looks like or actually does mechanically. (I get that it engages the front diff... but how? like is there a pin or something it jams in there?)

 

[Bluesky 07]

Old thread resurrection to say the OP's method works. Disclaimer: I used it for 4HI only as I haven't had a problem with 4LO. I ran across this while searching b/c my 4WD was acting wonky, taking a loooooong time to engage 4HI. In a couple of instances, it never did engage and the lights went off as if it stopped trying. This was puzzling and frustrating in that I "exercise" all 4WD modes monthly per the "use it or lose it" reminder, take care to shift properly into each mode, and that the dealer replaced the actuator when I bought the truck in 2014 since it wasn't working. I started engaging it each time I drove the 4R and just like my cranky knee, the more the better in terms of proper operation but it still took 15-30 seconds to engage. Yesterday I tried the OP's method and it shifted to 4HI within a few seconds as he said. This is all FWIW and as with everything, YMMV.

 

[Toyojay]

Hmm. Going to try this with my stubborn 4LO. Hasn't worked all year.