Help me please 4x4 1986 runner issues

[ma70star]

Hey all

Got my hands on a (new to me) 1986 four runner five speed with manual locking hubs and 4 wheel drive. Here is the issue, when i put her in four wheel drive I can back up about 5-10 feet then I feel the front end bind. I drive forward about 5-10 feet and I feel pop almost like a jump and then hear the front tire drag. Sounds like something is locking up in the front. I don't know if I have the proceedur right but I put her in into 4H get out lock the hubs then go. Seems to work a little better in 4L but still causes me some issues. The guy I bought it from says the four wheel worked fine for him back in July and he is a pretty straight shooter so i don't suspect foul play. Just want to know If I am doing the order wrong when I lock the hubs, are my hubs bad or am I just going to have to bite the bullet and get a new transfer case. Any advise helps!

Thanks All

 

[fourwd1]

You're not doing this on a hard paved surface are you? Because that's exactly what will happen if you do.
Part-time 4WD systems aren't meant to be used on a paved type surface, the drive train will bind up.

 

[ma70star]

Gotcha Test it on dirt then? im an idiot forgot bout that been a long time sense I had a four wheel drive. I only tried it for a few feet hopefully didn't damage anything. Thank you

 

[the_dingman]

I don't think it should bind up that bad going straight, even on dry pavement. I use my 4WD when the snow is on the road, but there are plenty of dry spots on the pavement that don't give me trouble.

 

[zombie]

You might want to check that all the tires are the same size and if the diffs have the same gearing, wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

 

[fourwd1]

You might want to check that all the tires are the same size and if the diffs have the same gearing, wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

Very good points, especially the tire size.

 

[Charlie_Hustle]

How do you get the hubs to unlock to go back to 2h?

 

[fourwd1]

How do you get the hubs to unlock to go back to 2h?

Turn them CCW until the arrow points to FREE, the opposite of what you did to lock them.

 

[ma70star]

The tire sizes are all the same HOWEVER it does have a detroit locker in the rear I don't know if that would affect anything

 

[Awz]

Turn them CCW until the arrow points to FREE, the opposite of what you did to lock them.

Also go backwards a couple feet. Mine may be weird, but they won't disengage if I don't reverse just a little.

 

[KidVermicious]

Hey all

Got my hands on a (new to me) 1986 four runner five speed with manual locking hubs and 4 wheel drive. Here is the issue, when i put her in four wheel drive I can back up about 5-10 feet then I feel the front end bind. I drive forward about 5-10 feet and I feel pop almost like a jump and then hear the front tire drag. Sounds like something is locking up in the front. I don't know if I have the proceedur right but I put her in into 4H get out lock the hubs then go. Seems to work a little better in 4L but still causes me some issues. The guy I bought it from says the four wheel worked fine for him back in July and he is a pretty straight shooter so i don't suspect foul play. Just want to know If I am doing the order wrong when I lock the hubs, are my hubs bad or am I just going to have to bite the bullet and get a new transfer case. Any advise helps!

Thanks All

First check your diff fluid. Then find some gravel and a buddy and make sure you really are locking up. If so, trouble might be the transfer case. It might also be in your front diff, and it could be the propeller shaft between them.

FWIW, I generally lock my hubs before shifting into 4wd, but I don't think it matters.

 

[the_dingman]

HOWEVER it does have a detroit locker in the rear I don't know if that would affect anything

If the rear diff is not original, it is VERY possible that the gearing was changed. Probably the issue.

Try this. Park the truck, and put a chalk mark on each tire pointing at the ground. Move forward or backwards a few feet and see if the lines all point at the same angle. If they don't the gearing doesn't match.

 

[ma70star]

Tested the four wheel on dirt finally LOL so its official the four wheel drive on this thing is nothing like my jeeps works perfect when you use it on the right surface. Thanks to everyone for your input it was greatly appriciated.