It would never shift out of 4WD going forward. I'd try 'S' turns like it might occasionally need prior, no go. Always had to back up about a foot and it would shift out normally.
I only used 4WD in off-road situations - which is usually dirt/gravel/slippery rocks. We were out in Utah over the summer and on some slick rock sections I noticed a bit more tire chirping than normal, but in prior years, with everything right, it would still chirp a bit here and there on slickrock.
There hasn't been any snow yet since I put the diff in to say how it would work on pavement in 4HI. And the transfer case was not making any noises when in 4WD.
thanks for your reply,
now for true confessions on why I asked those questions
, but a little history.
I had only had my 4runner one winter and had trouble with the 4wd. thanks to thedurk I got my issue solved. the following summer I put in an elocker and the shop I got it from swore it was a 4:10. After that I noticed that I had all the same symptoms you have/had. could only get out of 4wd if I backed up, had trouble sometimes going into 4wd, and was squirrely on the packed snow pavement in 4wd. But in loose dirt, gravel or snow, seemed to work fine. I was on the forum many times trying to figure it out, and even got to the point where I replaced the front actuator ( what a pain in the arse), Never owning a Toyota 4wd before ( but plenty of other domestic 4wd's) I just thought it was the way the 4 runner was.
So several weeks ago the rear diff blew out ( thread kaboom) and I got another 4:10 locker drum to drum. Got it in and went for a drive. Great I thought, now whats up, its shifting so good in and out, the 4wd must not be working, but I confirmed it was. Few days later got it into snow, worked great, on snow packed pavement, great.
The following week I put up a thread, how many teeth on a 4:10 and got answers. That following weekend, tore my blown up one apart... 4:30
So while I was looking for a 4:10 and you a 4:30, our symptoms were the same. Now I wonder just how much damage I have done to the transfer case after 2 years of 4wd in the back gravel road, slow driving, in snow.
I did get to see the 4runner this one came out of, and the door stickers matched
So Im sorry your having issues, but now I know for sure, my symptoms were because I had the wrong ratio
Good luck