Normal 4H to 2H behavior?

[newbian]

Go easy...I searched and read thru several previous 4WD threads and didn't see this specific scenario addressed.

Is it normal for the transfer case lever to basically REFUSE to move from 4H back to 2H if you are trying to disengage at low speeds while still giving a bit of throttle? It seemed to work fine on the highway at speeds of about 45 mph (went from snowy unpavrd Free way to clean offramp), but not at low speeds unless completely off the gas. The first time I actually thought it was just the usual "stubborn lever" and gave it a bit of force before I realized this was something different, hope I didn't damage anything.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Probably switched in and out of 2H, 4H and 4L about 15 times yesterday without hiccup. Speeds varied anywhere from 0-60. I've never experienced a hard lever in either of my 4runners.


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[newbian]

Probably switched in and out of 2H, 4H and 4L about 15 times yesterday without hiccup. Speeds varied anywhere from 0-60. I've never experienced a hard lever in either of my 4runners.


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More specifically, going from 4h to 2h while giving some throttle at low speeds?

 

[nb rob]

I let off the throttle when I shift the t case. within reason. It's a feel

I wouldn't shift while accelerating... ?

 

[Jeremy556]

Mine doesn't like to shift with the throttle open, never has for 240k miles. I just let off the throttle for a moment and shift.

 

[Cndnmax]

Get your foot off the throttle and problem solved. It’s like changing gears, it’s not going to be happy if you have tension on the drivetrain.

 

[Orc]

I've only had the electric models but they do best when just coasting.

My 2007 Tacoma wouldn't shift into 4x4. One time it took so long I got stuck. The 2014 4Runner and my new 2019 shift real quickly.

My 2003 had the button on the side of the shifter it might have only put the truck in the awd mode, I think that generation had the awd 4x4 lock etc etc. I went through some crazy stuff in that mode though.

 

[BobsTrail]

Mine will let me move the lever forward, but it does not feel like it's disengaging. If I let off the power it drops out of 4H. Like others, I usually let off and coast when going from 4H to 2H.

 

[kcp1158]

Make sure your driveline is lubricated. Should be done every 5k. If someone else is doing oil changes for you, good chance nothing is greased. I learned this first hand, this will cause a problem shifting from 2h to 4hi and back especially at lower speeds. One other thing.. Tires could also cause a problem if they are not all the same.

 

[newbian]

Had a similar issue again after a heavy snowy commute this morning, going from 4H to 2H, the lever felt very resistant, not the usual smooth deactivation. This is all at low speed, foot off the gas, trying to just disengage. The 4WD light also wouldn't turn off (not blinking, just solid)until I went in and out of 4H-->2H a few times, and only the last time did the lever disengagement "feel" smooth.

Does all the snow build-up just throw off whatever actuator sensor is responsible? It's just not a very confidence-inspiring feeling when the lever doesn't move smoothly LOL. It wasn't like I had to throw all my weight behind it, but it just didn't have that normal "give" or "release" that you feel when you put it back into 2hi. I didn't feel like I was facing THAT much resistance that I was going to break something, but is there any damage that can be done if it's not a smooth transition? Or will the system simply disengage when it's ready?

 

[MannMade82]

Now I have a SR5, so a dial for 4WD. Mine was hesitating from 2WD to 4WD, and sometimes from 4WD to 2WD but that hesitation ended after I changed the transfer case oil to Amsoil Severe Gear. Not saying that is the issue here, but may be worth looking into if you haven't changed the transfer case oil in awhile.

 

[BobsTrail]

Had a similar issue again after a heavy snowy commute this morning, going from 4H to 2H, the lever felt very resistant, not the usual smooth deactivation. This is all at low speed, foot off the gas, trying to just disengage. The 4WD light also wouldn't turn off (not blinking, just solid)until I went in and out of 4H-->2H a few times, and only the last time did the lever disengagement "feel" smooth.

That what mine does too. I let off the gas just enough so that it's not pulling on giving a little holdback. If letting off does not work, give a small amount of throttle to get to the inbetween zone. If you leave it in 2H when the lever feels funny it will drop out of 4H when the drive line force drops off.

If the roads are wet or some snow you may not need to go back to 2H as often. Leave it in 4H unless you are doing freeway speed.

 

[natehack5]

FWIW I shift into Neutral when switching to and from 4Hi. Coasting under 45mph or at a standstill, works for our 4Ripper.

Never had an issue yet...

 

[MrGainzz]

Looks like I should hold off for now,been tempted to trade mine in for a trd off road for a while now since I figured the trd should be less sluggishness than the Ltd due to its part time 4wd and once the 4Hi is engaged on the trd ,it should be the same as the Ltd in snow.
But I’m 100% sure that I will forget to shift it back to 2Hi once the roads are cleared. .


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[BobsTrail]

Nice snow photo, we went yesterday in our Sienna AWD and I stayed out of stuff like that. Wished I had been in the 4Runner.

 

[Angelo]

Just to echo what I heard a few others say: the manual shift T-case needs a bit of "feel" to slip in and out of 4wd... with a fly-by-wire (electronic) system like the SR5s have the computer will make the shift when the timing is right. Both my Pro and OR acted in the same way in that it required not forcing the shifter but rather feeling when the front diff would allow the dis- / engagement.

FWIW, I don't remember having trouble moving the shifter when stopped, but if I watch the 4wd indicator on the dash, it will often blink until I roll forward or back a bit to get the engagement, at which time the light will go solid. In short, what I guess I'm saying is that I agree with how you're characterizing the shifting. I think it's normal.

 

[Tejas]

I've never once tried to shift into or out of 4wd with it moving while in drive before. I always come to a complete stop before engaging or disengaging the transfer-case. With that said, I am aware that you can use 4-Hi as a shift on the fly system and I likely will one day. Up until now I have never found myself in a scenario or conditions where coming to a complete stop had an adverse effect on whether or not I would get stuck.

 

[JSS16]

same here its not need to do on the fly i like to stop or if at a red light i will engage it then if needed

my 2018 trd or is 10000km and sometimes does not want to go into 4wd etc its just the nature of them some go easy some need to losen up

i prefer to stop and engage it smooth

 

[Bugser]

My 2011 SR5 shifted easily when frequently used, but stiff if it wasn’t used for months. The new 2018 ORP is a little stiff but I attribute that to needing loosened up. I always found that letting off the gas then shifting made for an easy transition


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[nglayton]

0 - 60!?, Holy Hell, why would you do that going 60? No one needs to be in that big a hurry.

Closer to zero (0) for me. Shift it to neutral, pull it from 4 back to 2 works every time. With added bonus of not breaking stuff........