Any specific things on a 4x4

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After all these years of owning various Toyotas and especially Tacomas ... I now have my first 4x4 Tacoma ...

I have been going over the manual and various threads on 4x4s and I wonder if there are any "words of wisdom on these 4x4s" ... kinda like the "Towing Bible" thread on TW

Any specific things to do or not do on these 4x4s ?? ...

PS ... The last 4x4 that I drove was a long time ago and had manual interior locking controls & wheel mounted locking hubs.

Thanks . . .
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Don't turn it on, on the pavement

Your front diff "drain" plug will most likely strip out eventually so buy a new one now and have a bolt welded to it, then replace the old one before it seizes.

Drive it in 4x4 (10) miles a month if you can. I make sure and go at least a 1 mile in 4L when doing this just to keep it oiled up by doing a little bit in each gear.

Lube up the front drive shaft.

Keep an eye on the CV boots for wear & tear.

That's about it for me.

 

lol...I took way longer.

I never shift into 4H on the fly

 

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Thanks ... you guys have given me some good "common sense" tips.

I just remembered that I had a AWD Subaru Wagon in the 1980s and I could shift it on the fly up to about 50 mph and I loved that thing.

The more tips here ... the better ...
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I know a couple local guys that have had electrical issues getting it to engage. One is going through a lemmon lawsuit with Toyota now due to it. Everyone's always amazed mine is OK, but I'm pretty sure thats due to usage.

 

X runner with 4x4?

 

don't believe everything you read on the web

 

4 high under 50 mph, and I belive to shift into 4 low you must be stopped and in neutral. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. And never, never use on dry pavement.

 

I have the 4.0L 6 speed and have found that the engaging disengaging of 4 LO can be a chore. In Neuteral with the clutch in seems to be the way.

The rear locking differential is sometimes even more of a trick. Anyone know the system?

 

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One thing that I noticed for sure is: ... the 4x4 is not as peppy and the same truck in a 4x2 configuration.

Thanks for the other tips.
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Nope, definitely sucks down the power level. And the fuel level too.

One thing I have noticed with the Taco vs other older 4x4's I've owned, is how I needed to learn to let this truck do some of the stuff it was designed to. As mentioned above, the electronic crap can come in handy at times. I can take it easier sometimes with this truck and still get through stuff rather than horse it like I used to.

 

5 Zerks. 2 on front driveshaft, 3 on rear. Only difficult one if the one on the front driveshaft toward the front of the truck. All the others are easy to get to. There is a great write up on here on how to do it with pictures.

 

Exposed yourself!

 

The more you use it the easier it is to switch into 4wd. I switch into it every weekend at the launch and at one launch that Is full gravel I use 4-low and locker just to use it. Other than that you have to grease the zerks. The front shaft zerk next to the transfer case is a pain but once you get the right angle it's easier.

 

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Have noticed that 4x4 fuel consumption is at least 10% higher than the same truck in a 4x2 ...
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Extra equipment weight, extra parasitic power loss in the drivetrain.


Try lifting it, adding armor and larger tires, and regearing to a lower final drive ratio. Then you'll REALLY have fun at the pump.

 

... ^^^ ... yep ... I can feel that it is a heavier truck.
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2.7L FTMFW!

 

I get about 33 highway myself. Just not in the taco.

 

You too.