Shouldn't all the wheels be spinning in 4wd?
- Thread starter wisedog
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Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Somewhat common misconception. A differential between 2 tires will allow the two tires to spin different speeds so you can turn, unless you lock that differential. Our trucks have 3 differentials and you only locked the middle one meaning at that point, the front and rear differentials will each see half the total power from the engine, but they can still distribute their power to just one of their wheels.
Your driver's side rear tire must have gotten caught up on something, or the passenger's side rear tire was on ice so all the power still got distributed to that free-spinning tire. That's why front and rear differential lockers are handy even if you have 4wd.
Your driver's side rear tire must have gotten caught up on something, or the passenger's side rear tire was on ice so all the power still got distributed to that free-spinning tire. That's why front and rear differential lockers are handy even if you have 4wd.
TowMeOut
New member
I believe center diff lock does exactly that.....locks just the t-case so it distributes equal torque front/rear. Without it you could have your rear wheels stuck in a mudhole or off the ground. They'll spin like mad and the front tires wouldn't be pulling at all (or at least very little).
With the center diff locked front and rear pull equally (more or less). However, the power distribution between left and right depends on traction....so you can be 4wd, center diff locked, and still easily stuck with one front and one rear tire spinning......
With the center diff locked front and rear pull equally (more or less). However, the power distribution between left and right depends on traction....so you can be 4wd, center diff locked, and still easily stuck with one front and one rear tire spinning......
oldmansimek
New member
An incredible amount of people do not understand this. Almost every vehicle ever made is one wheel drive or 2 wheel drive when in 4wd. The only way you get power to all wheels is if you have lockers which only came stock in some international (scouts/pickups) and jeep rubicons (selectable) and some landcruisers maybe a handful of others, some vehicles have an optional rear limited slip and more recently some have the option of a selectable rear locker. Hope that helps
While ATRAC is no locker -- sounds like it would have been a big help in this instance. Your rear wheel had enough traction not to spin, so ATRAC would have put enough resistance on the other rear wheel to get you moving at least enough to get stuck in a few feet again...haha.
Bumbo
New member
I think in your situation TRAC should have been on... it may have been enough to have helped.
Other than that, everything sounds like it worked as designed.
We have open differentials in the front and rear, you should try applying a little brake to generate some traction, which is what TRAC should have been doing for you if it was on.
Most 4 wheel drive trucks, are still just two wheel drive trucks.
Most 2 wheel drive cars, are just one wheel drive. hence the term, one wheel peel, and peg leg...
People spend big money on lockers as an aftermarket mod, really the only way to get true 4WD.
Other than that, everything sounds like it worked as designed.
We have open differentials in the front and rear, you should try applying a little brake to generate some traction, which is what TRAC should have been doing for you if it was on.
Most 4 wheel drive trucks, are still just two wheel drive trucks.
Most 2 wheel drive cars, are just one wheel drive. hence the term, one wheel peel, and peg leg...
People spend big money on lockers as an aftermarket mod, really the only way to get true 4WD.
BackOff
New member
Are the 03-04 V6 the same?
When I lock the center I get all the tires turning.
I have had the 4runner literally jumping up and down as it slowly pulled itself forward in deep snow. Also up hill in soft dirt.
It will not get stuck in a cross-up diagonal tire traction loss. Like my old 1992 would.
Wheeling with BlackWorksInc one time he was stopped due to cross axle traction loss, he didn't have his center locked.
I did and didn't get stopped in the same spots.
OLD old thread...good info.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html
When I lock the center I get all the tires turning.
I have had the 4runner literally jumping up and down as it slowly pulled itself forward in deep snow. Also up hill in soft dirt.
It will not get stuck in a cross-up diagonal tire traction loss. Like my old 1992 would.
Wheeling with BlackWorksInc one time he was stopped due to cross axle traction loss, he didn't have his center locked.
I did and didn't get stopped in the same spots.
OLD old thread...good info.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html
L8Shift
Member
op2: After a few beers, I run this in a loop...Toyota 4WD Simplified
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN6-gCxI60g
