How to properly engage 4WD

[rhd316]

Hello all!!

I dont know if there is already a thread that exists regarding how to properly engage the 4WD on a 1999 4Runner.

I am a new owner and my previous car was a honda accord sedan. I have never owned or used a vehicle that had 4WD capabilities.

My question is fairly easy (and probably just common sense) but I want to make sure I know how to properly engage the 4WD in my 4runner.

If anyone knows of a good video that shows this, please provide the link.

I live in WI and the weather changes by the hour! This morning everything was an ice rink and currently its all melted.

Thank you for the help!

 

[Chuckles89]

The instructions are in the owner's manual

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yeah, there only 2 types of shifters in these things, so you will either press a button, or pull the j-shifter down into 4WD position. The only thing is that you shouldn't shift into 4WD at more than 50mph.

But that's all in the manual.

 

[AZ4Running]

I find that moving while shifting into 4 wheel is much harder and will grind sometimes, you can shift while moving but stopping and or shifting the trans to neutral then shifting to 4 wheel is much easier. This has been the cause with both my old 96 tacoma mt and my 974runner at.

 

[Brique]

On my 98 taco with the manual j-shifter I always did it at a stop. It didn't have a manual when I bought it, so... I just did it like that. My 01 4runner has the electronic with the button and has no problems whatsoever engaging in motion. As mentioned above, just don't try to do it at stupid high speeds though.

 

[GVL]

My routine:

1. Complete stop
2. Put gear shifter in "N"
3. Pull 4WD shifter down to 4H or down, right, and up for 4Low
4. Put gear shifter into drive (or lower depending terrain)
5. Have fun

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Yeah, there only 2 types of shifters in these things, so you will either press a button, or pull the j-shifter down into 4WD position. The only thing is that you shouldn't shift into 4WD at more than 50mph.

But that's all in the manual.

3 types

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rs-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html

 

[Buckaroo]

I believe this is the right reference from the owners manual for '99 - starts on page 105. Lots of detail based on the different configurations.

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35749U/pdf/omsource/1999om/994runne/16.pdf

With my auto trans/4wd lever configuration, I always stop, shift to neutral and put my foot on the brake before shifting from 4H to 4L - this minimizes gear crunching and it is the recommended procedure.

Buckaroo

 

[Nelsonmd]

3 types

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rs-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html

Only 2 methods for getting into 4H and 4L, move the j-shifter, or push the button. They are combined a bit differently depending on the year and trim. Always good that have that link though. Good to see a 35-poster reminding people to read the freaking uber-useful, ready-made-answers-to-95%-of-all-your-questions thread. Respect.

 

[seabun]

It's gonna depend on what trim your 99 has. Limiteds have the awd/4hi unlocked button that can be pressed while moving (the lights on the wheel diagram start to blink, you let of the gas for a second and then reapply, and the lights stop blinking), believe the 4hi Locked can be done while moving at lower speeds, just pull the level down, but 4lo you need to be stationary.

Plus one for the link mentioned above and of course, consult the owner's manual!

 

[runner98]

Stuck in 4wd

Hi all, I'm selling my 2000 limited and this happened. Potential buyer took it for a test drive, came back with it stuck in 4wd. I asked him what he did and his reply made me a bit upset. He said they pulled into parking lot, put truck in park, shifted into 4lo, put in drive and made several circles on pavement. He couldn't get it back into 2wd so just drove it the 2 miles back. I swear every drivetrain light on the dash was lit, and nothing I tried would get truck out of 4wd. What kind of damage could this idiot have done? Any ideas how to get 4wd freed up?

 

[csp]

Put it on jackstands, transmission in neutral and the drivetrain bind might free up enough to get it out of 4WD.

 

[Gadgetguy]

Mine is a 97 auto and manual shift transfer case, I can shift it on the fly into 4 hi and it doesnt even break a sweat. To get it into LO 4x4, I have to stop and put it into nuetral but it goes in smooth.

 

[4RUNNERTMAN]

Hi all, I'm selling my 2000 limited and this happened. Potential buyer took it for a test drive, came back with it stuck in 4wd. I asked him what he did and his reply made me a bit upset. He said they pulled into parking lot, put truck in park, shifted into 4lo, put in drive and made several circles on pavement. He couldn't get it back into 2wd so just drove it the 2 miles back. I swear every drivetrain light on the dash was lit, and nothing I tried would get truck out of 4wd. What kind of damage could this idiot have done? Any ideas how to get 4wd freed up?

Wow sorry to hear this happened......Always Always go with a potential buyer when allowing a test drive and you can let them know how to do things as they should be done. I know this is a little late for you but maybe the next person reading your comment will head the warning. Hope you get it worked out.

 

[jgue467]

... He said they pulled into parking lot, put truck in park, shifted into 4lo, put in drive and made several circles on pavement. He couldn't get it back into 2wd so just drove it the 2 miles back...Any ideas how to get 4wd freed up?

Hopefully he put it back into 4hi at least! Several years ago when my truck was 'new' to me, it would blink going into and out of 4wd. What i found worked easily to get it to go into and out of was turning at normal speeds. Later i changed the fluids, didn't help much at first, but thru repeated use it now engages/disengages at will - lack of use by po. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[animator]

Not sure what year they started doing this, but for what it's worth, in my 02 there's also a card in the driver-side sun visor that gives instructions on engaging and disengaging the 4 wheel drive.

 

[4Running29]

Hello all, don't know if I am writing this in the right area as I am completely new to this, but I hope i am able to get some assistance.

I have a 2002 4Runner SR5 and my problem is this:

I am trying to shift from 2H to 4H however it doesn't seem to being engaging into 4H even though the light indicators on the dash are solid, not flashing like the majority of the problems I have read on this site.

I have followed the owners manual as to the proper shifting procedure and everything seems to be working accordingly.

In a parking lot to test it, I am moving forward at a slow pace, click the 4WD button the on left side of the 4x4 knob and a couple seconds later the 4 green lights go solid like everything is fine BUT it doesnt feel like the 4x4 is engaged. I try to make small left and right handed turns where normally I should feel some "kick-back" like the 4x4 is engaged however I feel no difference than when I am in 2 wheel drive.

Someone please HELP!!

Most of the problems I have encountered on here with people not being able to engage their 4x4 talk about how the lights on the dash blink however mine do go solid but still wont engage

PS- when I engage the 4x4 when im turning slightly, the lights blink but i do feel some resistance or "kick-back" like its engaged. However once i straighten out the vehicle and drive straight for a couple seconds, the lights go solid and again the vehicle doesnt feel as if the 4x4 is working.

 

[theesotericone]

Go find a patch of dirt. Put it in 4HI and back up a few feet. Now put it in drive and mash the gas. If your rear wheels spin out you are not engaged. If they don't you are. Pavement is a crappy way to tell.

 

[jgue467]

Yeah do as theesotericone suggests + also roll your window down before hitting the 4wd button, just as it engages you will hear a definete solid "click" which is the transfer case solenoid making the final engagement. You will hear the reverse when disengaging too.

There won't be much "resistance" in the drive line when in 4wd (meaning the center diff is unlocked). When in 4x4 (center diff locked) then you will definetely feel resistance when attempting (that means don't do it) to turn on a solid surface, again I wouldn't do it, you can bind things up and then have real problems. Luck and enjoy. :cowboy:

 

[azcat90]

Dry pavement and 4WD don't go together very well...