I am new to Toyota so I am not sure if this is normal or not. I just got a 2004 4Runner SR5. When I but it into 4hi it will take anywhere from a 2-5 seconds or so to engage and to disengage, same with locking and unlocking the Tcase. is this normal. I have another question. Is it ok to lock and unlock the Tcase while moving or do you need to be still.
Using 4 wheel drive
- Thread starter Ross
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TOYLUVA
New member
2 to 5 seconds is fine, actually fast and yes rolling is ok for the 4whell drive but you want to be in nuetral to engage the diff lock. Correct me if im wrong guys. But sound like the t-case is working properly to me. Mine has a card in the driver visor with directions and also you could look at the owners manual for directions.
Doozi
New member
Sounds perfectly normal... you can technically go from H2 to H4 up to about 60mph, but many of us prefer to switch at lower speeds. Maybe we're "old school". You should cycle through the drive settings regularly to keep everything moving... including L4 and the center diff lock, which require you to be stopped and in neutral.
~Doozi
~Doozi
I can't imagine changing to a type of terrain where 4 wheel drive would be needed at while going 60 mph.
TOYLUVA
New member
it works i've tried it. And its only in all wheel drive till you lock the center differential. Meaning you can drive it on the road all day long and not cause any damage. Only lock the center diff while off road and in nuetral.
Jerrydog
New member
Ive been in that speed range in my other SUV on teh highway and the road just went from wet to slush and snow, Ive shifted to 4h in that case since I try to run in 2h if the roads just wet, to avoid wear and tear on the drivetrain.
JB.
New member
Either way but moving works better. Sitting still you might have to play with the shifter a little. Try it on a long straight section of pavement while driving normally. It should engage and disengage very easily. I do it pretty often (not leaving it on) to keep it working well. It locks/unlocks like butter.
A few more tips on engaging 4x4:
As everyone pointed out you can engage 4H while moving up to about 60mph, but it seem to engage quicker around 20 – 25mph. At least this is what I have noticed.
You can lock the transfer case while moving. You don’t need to be stopped and in neutral. If it does not engage while stopped and in neutral then you need to start moving to get the gears to line up.
For 4L you must first be in 4H and then stopped and in neutral. You cannot go form 2H to 4L directly. It’s 2H to 4H to 4L. Wait for it to engage, lights stop flashing, before you put it back into drive. If you put it into drive before it’s engaged you will grind the gears. If it does not engage 4L after 10 – 20 seconds, turn the switch back to 4H, put the truck into drive or reverse and roll a few feet. Stop the truck and put it back into neutral, turn the dial to 4L again and wait for it to engage. Repeat this until it engages. Again, don’t try and drive off while the 4L light is flashing as you will grind the gears.
Say you come out and it snowed 12 inches and you were in 2H when you parked. Or you are in 2H and got your self stuck. You can try engaging 4H while stopped from neutral. Put the truck into neutral and then switch from 2H to 4H. It might engage. I say might because about 6 out of 10 times it will engage but not always. Just depends on how the gears are lined up. If it does engage just pop it into gear and off you go. If it does not engage it depends on your situation. If you are not stuck then you can just put it in gear and go. It will engage once you start moving. If you are stuck then that’s a different process.
If you are stuck and trying to get into 4H using neutral and it does not engage, while still stopped and in neutral switch back to 2H. Put it into drive and try and ease the truck forward or backwards just a bit. Try truing the steering wheel back and forth while doing this. Try to avoid spinning the tires we are just trying to get the gears to line up so nice an easy. Stop and again go into neutral and try switching 2H to 4H and seeing if it will engage. If not keep trying. Just be cautious, you don’t want to be half engaged in 4H, lights still blinking, and gun the truck. You may get a very harsh engagement!
As everyone pointed out you can engage 4H while moving up to about 60mph, but it seem to engage quicker around 20 – 25mph. At least this is what I have noticed.
You can lock the transfer case while moving. You don’t need to be stopped and in neutral. If it does not engage while stopped and in neutral then you need to start moving to get the gears to line up.
For 4L you must first be in 4H and then stopped and in neutral. You cannot go form 2H to 4L directly. It’s 2H to 4H to 4L. Wait for it to engage, lights stop flashing, before you put it back into drive. If you put it into drive before it’s engaged you will grind the gears. If it does not engage 4L after 10 – 20 seconds, turn the switch back to 4H, put the truck into drive or reverse and roll a few feet. Stop the truck and put it back into neutral, turn the dial to 4L again and wait for it to engage. Repeat this until it engages. Again, don’t try and drive off while the 4L light is flashing as you will grind the gears.
Say you come out and it snowed 12 inches and you were in 2H when you parked. Or you are in 2H and got your self stuck. You can try engaging 4H while stopped from neutral. Put the truck into neutral and then switch from 2H to 4H. It might engage. I say might because about 6 out of 10 times it will engage but not always. Just depends on how the gears are lined up. If it does engage just pop it into gear and off you go. If it does not engage it depends on your situation. If you are not stuck then you can just put it in gear and go. It will engage once you start moving. If you are stuck then that’s a different process.
If you are stuck and trying to get into 4H using neutral and it does not engage, while still stopped and in neutral switch back to 2H. Put it into drive and try and ease the truck forward or backwards just a bit. Try truing the steering wheel back and forth while doing this. Try to avoid spinning the tires we are just trying to get the gears to line up so nice an easy. Stop and again go into neutral and try switching 2H to 4H and seeing if it will engage. If not keep trying. Just be cautious, you don’t want to be half engaged in 4H, lights still blinking, and gun the truck. You may get a very harsh engagement!
Doozi
New member
Good tips from DRC!
They also say that you should drive in H4 at least about 10-20 miles per month to keep things lubricated. I'll usually drive one way to work in H4 once a month. Remember, your Torsen center diff is just like AWD until you lock it with the button to the left of the steering wheel. Once locked, it's more like traditional 4WD and shouldn't be driven on pavement... turning on pavement puts stress on the center diff when it's locked as the front and rear drive shafts want to turn at different speeds (while turning), but can't because they are locked together.
And as far as conditions changing at 60mph... you should drive up into the mountains of Colorado! I've gone from 50 and sunny to 20 and white-out in less than 2 miles! Good times!
~Doozi
They also say that you should drive in H4 at least about 10-20 miles per month to keep things lubricated. I'll usually drive one way to work in H4 once a month. Remember, your Torsen center diff is just like AWD until you lock it with the button to the left of the steering wheel. Once locked, it's more like traditional 4WD and shouldn't be driven on pavement... turning on pavement puts stress on the center diff when it's locked as the front and rear drive shafts want to turn at different speeds (while turning), but can't because they are locked together.
And as far as conditions changing at 60mph... you should drive up into the mountains of Colorado! I've gone from 50 and sunny to 20 and white-out in less than 2 miles! Good times!
~Doozi
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