How does 4wd work on a 4 cyl 5 spd?

[Pyral]

So I read that this model lacks a center differential. The transfer case is supposedly a VF2A transfer case that was only used on the 4 cylinder. Is the fluid requirements different for my setup vs the V6 4wd models?

The more I research this the more confused I get. I've read that all wheel drive vehicles use a center differential to split power, and a 4wd uses a transfer case to send power directly to front and rear wheels (meaning that 4runners were both 4wd or AWD depending on options?).

Anyway with my setup with no center differential means I can't use it on dry pavement because of binding. Does this setup also mean I can get stuck with 1 spinning wheel?

 

[JZiggy]

Yes it’s true 4WD. You need to lose traction on one front and one rear wheel to be truly stuck. Can’t use 4WD on pavement. It’s a basic J-shift transfer case.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

So I read that this model lacks a center differential. The transfer case is supposedly a VF2A transfer case that was only used on the 4 cylinder. Is the fluid requirements different for my setup vs the V6 4wd models?

The more I research this the more confused I get. I've read that all wheel drive vehicles use a center differential to split power, and a 4wd uses a transfer case to send power directly to front and rear wheels (meaning that 4runners were both 4wd or AWD depending on options?).

Anyway with my setup with no center differential means I can't use it on dry pavement because of binding. Does this setup also mean I can get stuck with 1 spinning wheel?

Only Limiteds from 96-02 and 01-02 4WD’s came with a center diff lock as an option, which is what made them AWD and safe to use on dry pavement. Those are all V6. They can be ran without the center diff locked, which would mean they’re just 4WD until that button is selected on the shifter which then makes it AWD and safe for dry pavement.

I’m not even sure if they offered a rear locker in the 4 cyl 4WD’s, but if you had a selectable rear locker you were really only 3WD, meaning most of the rest of us are really only 2WD while in 4hi or 4low (1 front and 1 rear wheel under power).

So to answer your question, yes, you could get stuck with 1 wheel spinning out in the trails or in snow or mud, and your 4WD is not safe to use on the road unless it’s covered in snow or ice so that the wheels came slip to avoid binding and breakage of the front diff internals.

 

[Bad Luck]

So I read that this model lacks a center differential. The transfer case is supposedly a VF2A transfer case that was only used on the 4 cylinder. Is the fluid requirements different for my setup vs the V6 4wd models?

The more I research this the more confused I get. I've read that all wheel drive vehicles use a center differential to split power, and a 4wd uses a transfer case to send power directly to front and rear wheels (meaning that 4runners were both 4wd or AWD depending on options?).

Anyway with my setup with no center differential means I can't use it on dry pavement because of binding. Does this setup also mean I can get stuck with 1 spinning wheel?

This should answer all your questions T-case Differences (all years of 3rd gens).. transfer case, AWD, multi-mode

FYI you have a j shift transfer case. It's the same j shift transfer case that v6 3rd gen j shift 4Runner's use.

 

[vegask]

Only Limiteds from 96-02 and 01-02 4WD’s came with a center diff lock as an option, which is what made them AWD and safe to use on dry pavement. Those are all V6. They can be ran without the center diff locked, which would mean they’re just 4WD until that button is selected on the shifter which then makes it AWD and safe for dry pavement.

I believe center diff lock was not a thing till after 1999. My 97 limited is a 4wd case.

When center diff is locked you are 4WD, when its un-locked you are AWD.

 

[Pyral]

Why does it say you should not exceed 50 mph in 4 hi with the standard J-shift?

So there is no difference between the 4wd system on manual transmissions with the 4 cylinder or V6 engines?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I believe center diff lock was not a thing till after 1999. My 97 limited is a 4wd case.

When center diff is locked you are 4WD, when its un-locked you are AWD.

Oops, you’re right only 99-00 Limiteds and all 01-02.

 

[Bad Luck]

Why does it say you should not exceed 50 mph in 4 hi with the standard J-shift?

So there is no difference between the 4wd system on manual transmissions with the 4 cylinder or V6 engines?

There is no difference between any of the standard j shift transfer cases whether it is manual/automatic or 4 cylinder/6 cylinder. The only 4wd systems that are different are the ones with VF3AM transfer case found in 96-98 Limiteds (no awd), 99-00 Limiteds (AWD), and 01-02 all 4wd's.

As for the speed limit I believe that applies to shifting into 4HI from 2HI. It won't let you shift if you are going too fast.

 

[phattyduck]

Why does it say you should not exceed 50 mph in 4 hi with the standard J-shift?

So there is no difference between the 4wd system on manual transmissions with the 4 cylinder or V6 engines?

It never says that. It says you cannot shift *into* 4WD above 55mph on the j-shift trucks. You can actually be in 4WD at any speed. Best to shift into 4WD at low-ish speeds though. You can shift out of 4WD at any speed. You generally shouldn't be going high speeds in 4WD though, so that shouldn't be an issue.

For the 4hi to 4lo shift (either direction), you must be stopped and in neutral. Make the Hi-Lo or Lo-Hi shift in one confident motion and it won't grind. Anything else and you'll likely grind the gears.

-Charlie

 

[Pyral]

It never says that. It says you cannot shift *into* 4WD above 55mph on the j-shift trucks.

I got that from this thread on 3rd gen 4wd systems.
"On models with the standard t-case (J-shifter), shifting into 4HI can be done on-the-fly safely up to 30 mph on some 3rd gen models and up to 50 mph on other models (refer to the card in your sun visor for your particular speed recommandations). You should not exceed 50 mph while driving in 4HI in any model with the standard t-case (J-shifter)."

This isn't the first I've heard of being told to avoid exceeding 50 mph on a part time 4wd system. My 2005 Acura MDX also said in the owners manual that you couldn't exceed 50mph with the 4wd on, if you did the computer would automatically change you out of 4wd. I've never saw this in the Toyota owners manual though.

I always come to a stop to use the transfer case whether its shifting from 2HI to 4HI or 4HI to 4LO. Some 4wd systems are okay with shift on the fly like my 4runner, others are not. I just want to avoid getting in the habit of not coming to a complete stop.

 

[phattyduck]

Directly from the 1999 owners manual, specifically for the manual transmission with ADD (your 4Runner):

To shift from "H2" to "H4", reduce your
speed to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) and
move the front drive control lever. You
need not depress the clutch pedal.
If you have trouble shifting in cold weather, 
reduce your speed or stop the vehicle and reshift.

CAUTION
Never move the front drive control
lever if wheels are slipping. Stop the
slipping or spinning before shifting.

To shift from "H4" to "H2", simply move
the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.
You need not depress the clutch pedal.
If the indicator light does not go off when
you shift the transfer into "H2", drive
straight ahead while accelerating or 
decelerating, or drive in reverse.

SHIFTING BETWEEN "H4" AND "L4"
To shift from "H4" to "L4, stop the vehicle 
or reduce your speed to less than
8 km/h (5 mph). With your foot off the
accelerator pedal, depress the clutch pedal 
and move the front drive control lever.
To shift from "L4" to "H4", depress the
clutch pedal and move the front drive control lever.
This can be done at any vehicle speed.

So, I mis-remembered - it is 50mph for shifting into 4WD, but otherwise correct. There is no top speed limit in 4WD.

-Charlie