High 4WD All the time

[irwinSR5]

This is an add-on to gavin's post but I was wondering if you all could tell me if you usually drive around all the time with 4WD on high or not, I know some companies state that it will do damage on your transmission to drive around in 4WD when the conditions do not suit it.

mike

 

[alpha]

From my understanding, with the technology in the 4th gen 4Runners, you could drive in 4Hi all the time. You sacrifice some gas mileage, but no matter the condition, you could drive in 4Hi. I do. I switched mine over about a couple months ago for winter, and just left it there.

 

[TranceKrayz]

i leave mine in 4Hi all the time also. i only switch to 2wd in the summer when there's rarely rain.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yup driving in 4HI is no big deal. If you have a 4WD V6, you are suppose to drive at least 10 Miles a month in 4WD to keep all the 4WD Components lubricated.

 

[krosno3]

I turned it on few days ago for the first time (we finally got some snow ) Earlier there was no need for 4WD. Besides lower gas mileage I’ve noticed that steering wheel works a little harder but only a little. However I don't use it in my everyday driving. I think sharp4runr is right with that driving 10 miles each month to lubricate 4WD. It makes sense and I have to start doing that.

 

[Gryphon]

How about us older 'Runner owners? If I am understanding my system correctly, I should NOT be running my '90 in 4hi on dry roads? (full time hubs, chain drive t'case).

I usually just drive in 2wd untill I get to where I need 4hi, but it gets to be a pain in the winter, shifting in and out of 4hi all the time. (they don't plow the roads here, so the main roads are worn dry, but the back roads are still a mess of snow and later, slush.)

 

[bulldog-yota]

any 4wd system with a center diff (mostly in the transfer case) can drive in 4wd all the time. the 4th gen is the first 4runners that actually have a center diff, the previous ones do not and therefore will "bind" the driveline if driven in 4wd on solid/high traction surfaces. The land cruisers had this for some time now, that's why they had the full time 4wd badges.

V8 4Rs are always in 4wd, the V6 has a similar center diff and can be driven fulltime 4wd if you want to.

 

[Thai]

any 4wd system with a center diff (mostly in the transfer case) can drive in 4wd all the time. the 4th gen is the first 4runners that actually have a center diff, the previous ones do not and therefore will "bind" the driveline if driven in 4wd on solid/high traction surfaces. The land cruisers had this for some time now, that's why they had the full time 4wd badges.

Not exactly true. Since 1999, 4runners have had mechanical center differential that allow for full-time 4wd mode (just like the 4th gen's V6 system). The 4th gen is the first time that 4runners have the Torsen mechanical center differential, which is similar to old system except that it can vary the power distribution instead of just 50/50.

Before 1999, 4runners had the basic part-time 4wd system, which you cannot drive in 4wd on dry land. You must be on a terrain that allow for slippage when you go into 4HI or 4LO (aka mud, sand, gravel, snow, etc).

 

[Neech]

Is there a speed limitation in 4HI?

 

[TranceKrayz]

nope......but the general rule of thumb is that if you need 4wd, then you shouldn't be going fast. (for example in snow, rain, mud, etc.)

 

[Neech]

That being said ^^ we're talking about driving in ALL conditions but yes, you should watch out for me because I do 90 MPH in blizzard conditions! cmon' now!

 

[sharp4runr]

I think sharp4runr is right with that driving 10 miles each month to lubricate 4WD. It makes sense and I have to start doing that.

Its in the manual so it can't hurt to do it as preventive maintenance and only takes a few seconds to switch back and forth

 

[bulldog-yota]

Not exactly true. Since 1999, 4runners have had mechanical center differential that allow for full-time 4wd mode (just like the 4th gen's V6 system). The 4th gen is the first time that 4runners have the Torsen mechanical center differential, which is similar to old system except that it can vary the power distribution instead of just 50/50.

Before 1999, 4runners had the basic part-time 4wd system, which you cannot drive in 4wd on dry land. You must be on a terrain that allow for slippage when you go into 4HI or 4LO (aka mud, sand, gravel, snow, etc).

Thx for the correction. Didn't realize the 99+ 4R had center diff.

 

[pat161]

99 and 00 only had the center diff as an option, most like mine are just traditional 4wd systems. 01 and 02 were all equipped w/ center diff and thus full time 4wd ability. As for trucks like mine and the 90 that posted, it is not adviseable to be in 4wd on dry pavement. What you need is slippage between the front and rear so that the tires can spin at different speeds, our trucks have open diffs and only send power to one side of each diff, in 4wd that is opposite sides front and back thus they turn at different speeds around corners, on dry pavement they cannot slip easily and you get binding. If it is snowy the main roads are probably not completely dry, maybe some wet or sand and such and you may be ok to stay in 4wd, I know many people who use 4wd in the rain w/ no problems. Personally I plow through the back roads in 2wd if the main roads are clear as I also hate shifting back and forth constantly, but I love my part time system and would never trade, unless I could trade to manual hubs like all my tacomas had.

 

[Thai]

Pat, are you sure?? In 1999-up, according to Toyota, all 4wd 4runners have center differential with full-time 4wd mode (over any terrain). In 2001-up, Toyota added 4-channel ABS for the VSC (stability control) and ATRAC.

 

[pat161]

Yeah definitely, I've got a 2k with the part time system and a friend has a 99 with the part time as well. Both of ours are 5 speeds, though he has the V6 and mine is the 4. They have no atrac or vsc at all, just standard 4wd with no electrical doodads, but both trucks have abs. In 01 they did away with the I4, 5 speed and rear e-locker, and made them all full time 4wd capable.

 

[Thai]

Oh, i guess the 5-speed manual 4runners did not get the "Multi-mode 4wd system" in the automatic-equipped 4runners.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Sandman]

The 4hi mode is good if your teaveling where theres a chance you may need the 4wd at all. If you get your self into a jam while in 2hi, the system does not always let you switch into 4h after the fact. About 1/2 the time, my runner needs shifting and sometimes alittle rolling forward and backward to engage. Has anyone else encountered this?
Wesley