Newbie Q

[Wheezie]

I just bought a 99 and love it!!! But when I engage 4 wheel drive, HI, it feels like the brakes are on when I back up. Also when te front wheels are turned , like to park, I feel a lot of resistance from drivetrain as if the brakes are applied. Is this normal??? Allan

 

[toto]

Welcome!
The second part - that it's hard to make tight turns in 4WD - is normal. The problem is that the inside wheel turns at a different rate than the outside wheel, and that discrepancy creates challenges for the drivetrain. The 03+ 4Runner features some design changes to address that.

The part about feeling like the brakes are applied when you back up makes me ask if you have any maintenance history on the truck. It might be in need of some fluid changes (differentials) and lube on the driveshaft. It might also be worth checking the brakes to make sure there isn't a problem. The brakes don't do anything different in 4WD mode, so that would be a coincidence.

 

[Wheezie]

gen 4 wheel

No maint records, it was a 1 owner trade w/ 80k, exc overall cond. Might have been that the front wheels were still turned as I was backing up... Will check it out in more detail when wife brings it back home

 

[wolfgang]

And if you use 4WD on dry, firm payment you will quickly destroy the differentials -- it's to be used only on icy/snow, loose gravel, or muddy conditions. I would replace all the differential and trans fluids with synthetic and lube the grease fitting on the universal joints. Wouldn't hurt to bleed the brakes changing all the old fluid out - unless you know it was done in last couple years.

 

[Wheezie]

What about heavy rain/wet roads? The owners manual states that 4 wheel HI is ok for this.
it's not for me so much as the wife. She complained of wheelspin in first gear, so I put it in 4 HI to give her better traction in the wet.