Switching to 4WD

[808inDenver]

hi guys, haven't been on in awhile but starting to have some concerns about my 4th gen. im completely clueless when it comes to automobiles, so please forgive my ignorance.

I usually keep my 4runner in 2WD at all times. when it starts to snow, ill flip it to 4wd hi. however, it take a good minute or so before the transfer is complete. if im on the road and I press the gas after the switch, it feels like im in neutral. same thing when I want to switch back from 4wd to 2wd.

what ive resorted to is flipping between the 2 while im parked and not putting it into drive until the light signal stops blinking.

my boss tells me it should actually happen instantly and I shouldn't have to wait for the car to switch from 2wd to 4wd (vice versa).

is something wrong w my system? im originally from Hawaii and don't off road, som im clueless about 4wd... :help:

 

[Stuck CAPS]

Its not instant. Gears need to line up, acuators need to move, etc. Most will suggest braking to a stop, putting the truck in neutral, and then shifting to 4wd. I dont think anything's wrong, but can you shift in and out of 4 lo and use the center diff, too? If so, youre most likely fine. I would suggest shifting in and out of 4wd more often, though, as your actuators could seize up without doing so... its a use it or lose it system.

 

[808inDenver]

thanks for the reply, that's a relief.

ive never been in 4lo before. in what situations would u be in that?

and what is cent diff (ill google it)?

thanks.

 

[2014 Warthog]

A minute is pretty long, were you going at a high speed?

I havent tried a high speed shift from 2 to 4, I'm usualy at about 5 mph and it takes... 5-10 seconds, it can seem like a long time I guess, but that would be normal.

Now to get into 4 low you MUST be stopped and you must place the shifter in neutral before it'll engage, otherwise it beeps at you forever

 

[Martinjmpr]

It's a good idea to "exercise" the lo range and CDL every now and then but as far as using them, if you need to ask "when would I use it" you probably don't need it.

The short answer for both is: off road. If you are driving on pavement, you should rarely if ever need either one. I can think of a few circumstances where you might want to use one or the other on pavement, but not very many.

The 4runner is a Swiss Army Knife vehicle. Just like you might not need to use every blade on your swiss army knife, you might not need to use every feature your 4runner has.

 

[SkIzO]

I always switch it going at about 30-35mph and it also takes me from 5 to 10seconds never more than, try using it more often maybe..

 

[808inDenver]

thanks guys, appreciate all the info.

maybe mine does take about 15-20 seconds, but it feels like forever.