Low Range - BEEP!!!!

The OP had an automatic, and yes... it was 3 years ago, but HZUNI with an '08 automatic bumped it up as it seems he also didn't read the card in his visor or the ownr's manual...

4 LOW is for extreme crawling (up or down STEEP grades or through deep mud, etc.)... and you would typically been in 4 HIGH first... So, from the top:

Get into H4 (4WD HIGH) by rotating the dial from H2 to H4. This can be done stopped or moving up to 60 mph... best if tires are pointed straight.

Come to a full stop, shift your auto. trans. into N (Neutral)... NOT P (Park)!
Rotate and depress dial from H4 to L4. NO BEEPING and NO FLASHING LIGHT.

To get out of L4, stop rolling and go into N (Neutral) again, and rotate dial to H4 or H2.





The visor card:

 

I dion't know how many years ago Tacomas had selectable hubs, but for at least the past dozen years +, Toyota uses an ADD (Automatic Disconnecting Differential) to free up front drive train wear when in 2WD. Similar to Automatic Locking Hubs, but without the need to drive in reverse to complete the unlocking... The ADD allows shift-on-the-fly into or out of 4WD-HIGH up to 60 mph.

 

I just wanted to say how refreshing it is to read a David K post and not have atrac mentioned when it wasn't brought up in the original post. Thanks David.

 

Sure, I recognize all that, been there done that with the Gen I Taco. But the manual transfer case shifted from 2wd, to 4hi, to 4lo and back surely and every time. The auto doesn't do that. From what I've read on this forum that is generally the case - the auto transfer case needs some flicking back and forth often to actually get it to do what it's supposed to do. I'm disappointed, it's not an improvement at all.

 

Not on my three Tacos (all autos)... total of 270,000 miles driven. The only issue is if you don't put the tranny in neutral, it beeps. Using the rear locker takes a few tries, but thanks to A-TRAC (since 2009 model), you just don't need the rear locker anymore to climb like a billy goat or pull others up grades.

 

My '97 4wd has factory Aisin manual lockers on the front wheels, so you can choose when to lock them or not. Lock them up once a month to keep the front end lubed, no need at all to put it in reverse to lock them up or unlock them.

This 2012's auto transfer case is not an improvement over the manual transfer case and manual lockers.

 

Don't be an A-TRAC player hater! I only mention it when it might help to inform others, based on the conversation.

Once all of you 'player haters' realize that Toyotas are great as they come from the factory with these traction systems, I won't need to feel the need to keep teaching! I will have succeeded!

 

Okay, so in '97 (15 years ago) they came from Toyota with manual locking hubs... I think I know an '98 owner who has the ADD. My '01 did.

 

Player Hater! (LOL)

 

As I posted above, I'm driving the manual. Maybe the auto transfer case is best mated to the auto trans (cue Whippersnapper), it's not all that smooth with the manual.

 

DING DING DING .... round 1

 

Again, I'm saying the manual transfer case was then, and would be now, more reliable getting me into the drive mode I want as opposed to the auto transfer case. Seems to me there is no improvement - actually a detriment - to having the auto transfer case.

 

Again, don't fear new technology... all three of my Tacos ('01, '05, '10) had electronic transfer case controls, and electronic rear locker... and other than the rear locker needing a couple of tries to engage sometimes, no problems or failures.

I have been more pleased by the 2010's VSC, TRAC and A-TRAC systems (all electric activated) that have so greatly increased the truck's drivablilty and security way out there in the boonies!

 

your 2001 was not a manual Transfer case ???

 

Yeah, I can see that. I don't want to be nannied that much, though. "Progress" is hell on us old school guys sometimes.

 

Yeah they did have the optional ADD back then, I think it came with the SR5 package. I was happy to get the manual lockers. I don't know if it's a big deal for longevity or capability, but I like to lock my own. I suppose it doesn't matter now, what's done is done. Just bitching and moaning as I said above . . . .

 

Nope, it had what looked like a video game joy stick made to look lack a lever, but to go into 4WD, you pushed a button on the side of it. To go into low range, you moved the stick forward... still electric I believe... but into and out of H4 was a push button.

 

Thanks for that.. and yes, I do have fond memories of Jeepin' in 'the old days'...

 

so is the FJ Manual Transfer case a true manual???

 

How's SD county working out for you? We rented in Pine Valley and Descanso for a time, Viejas Grade road was one of my prime spots for running the BMW R65LS, and through the Pine Valley wilderness up to the crest, then down into Anza Borrego and south to I-8 and back. I used to love hammering that R65 down the Anza Borrego at 110 and up Devil's Canyon. That bike could handle at high speed, on dirt, over rocks. Superb bike.