4x4 Proper monthly maintenance

Chickenmunga · 10-21-2008, 11:31 AM

In the manual for the 2008 4x4, it says that I should be driving 10 miles a month in 4WD to maintain good lubrication.

Since I don't have easy access to an open field, I use 4WD once a month as I go to work (approx 8 miles), turning it on once I get on the road, then off when I get near work.

Am I safe in doing it this way, or am I 'required' to drive somewhere for a gravel/dirt road? Mind you, the closest good spot is 45 minutes - I'd love to be doing more 'off the beaten path', but you know how that goes...

tacomaman06 · 10-21-2008, 11:33 AM

im not really sure that its a good idea to use the 4x4 on a dry road, torrential rain may be different. a dirt road is a great place to use the 4x4 each month if you have a dirt/gravel road close by. using it on dry pavement may really hurt your cv axles.

LonghornTaco · 10-21-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

im not really sure that its a good idea to use the 4x4 on a dry road, torrential rain may be different. a dirt road is a great place to use the 4x4 each month if you have a dirt/gravel road close by. using it on dry pavement may really hurt your cv axles.

Why is this?

tacomaman06 · 10-21-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason_Wilkerson

Why is this?

i think there may be too much grip on dry pavement, especially if you turn or something that could possibly damage the cv's. i could be wrong, but i think thats correct.

Janster · 10-21-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason_Wilkerson

Why is this?

It's not a good idea to drive in 4WD on dry pavement.

However - if that's all you got to work with - go in straight lines, like on the highway. LONG sweeping turns if needed. But don't make any turns.

Why?
When you turn, the inside wheel doesn't turn as far as the outside wheel. When both wheels are turning at different rates (distances) - that puts major stress on the drivetrain, especially the front CV joints. If you've ever been in 4WD and tried to make a turn, you'll feel the truck start bucking and it won't wanna move at all. That's the driveline binding.

I'll generally wait for a good hard rain. I'll put it in 4WD when I'm on the highway for 9 miles going to work and kick it back into 2WD when I get on the exit ramp.

tdm156 · 10-21-2008, 11:54 AM

Being in Hillsboro there are dirt roads not far away. Go out to Forest Grove and drive a dirt road once a month and no worries! On the way back stop at the Grand Lodge and have lunch and make a day of it!

LonghornTaco · 10-21-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janster

It's not a good idea to drive in 4WD on dry pavement.

However - if that's all you got to work with - go in straight lines, like on the highway. LONG sweeping turns if needed. But don't make any turns.

Why?
When you turn, the inside wheel doesn't turn as far as the outside wheel. When both wheels are turning at different rates (distances) - that puts major stress on the drivetrain, especially the front CV joints. If you've ever been in 4WD and tried to make a turn, you'll feel the truck start bucking and it won't wanna move at all. That's the driveline binding.

I'll generally wait for a good hard rain. I'll put it in 4WD when I'm on the highway for 9 miles going to work and kick it back into 2WD when I get on the exit ramp.

That kinda sounds more like it. I figured it had to do with turning rather than just the actual surface on the ground.

I had a truck once that slipped into 4hi but I didn't know it for a few days. But I kept wondering why it jerked so bad when I tried to back in somewhere (while turning). ...dumb ass college kids...

Chickenmunga · 10-21-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdm156

Being in Hillsboro there are dirt roads not far away. Go out to Forest Grove and drive a dirt road once a month and no worries! On the way back stop at the Grand Lodge and have lunch and make a day of it!

I'm not familiar with anything out there except Hagg Lake and Brown's Camp... If you have anything special in mind give me a PM

Otherwise I tend to go to Mill City, which is much further away these days

Thanks everyone for responses!

tdm156 · 10-21-2008, 01:31 PM

Those are a couple of areas...there are some great places out around Roy and all those back roads around the berry fields berry close to Hillsboro.....you can also go out towards the Roloff's farm as well.

linkfeeney · 10-21-2008, 06:54 PM

so use a construction site.... plenty of dirt road there!

nighthawk87 · 10-21-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkfeeney

so use a construction site.... plenty of dirt road there!

And plenty of nails, screws, metal shavings, covered pot holes, and other not-so-good items that could potentially damage your truck. I'd advise against this. Go out to a park at mid-night and have some fun.

linkfeeney · 10-22-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

And plenty of nails, screws, metal shavings, covered pot holes, and other not-so-good items that could potentially damage your truck. I'd advise against this. Go out to a park at mid-night and have some fun.

dude, i got the ones only has the dirt pile only... not with material laying around...
plenty of that in NJ.

Westdog976 · 11-25-2008, 03:51 PM

damn, i wish i would of read this earlier! i had mine in 4x4 while trying to turn into my narrow driveway... couldn't figure out why the truck felt like it was struggling... do you think any serious damage occurred?

luk8272 · 11-25-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westdog976

damn, i wish i would of read this earlier! i had mine in 4x4 while trying to turn into my narrow driveway... couldn't figure out why the truck felt like it was struggling... do you think any serious damage occurred?

If it still drives normal and 4x4 works, you should be good, just be carefull. Look under the front of the truck see if all is well.

To the OP for what you are doing you should be fine. Go easy on the turns preferrably put it in 2wd before making a turn, as you can disengage it while coming to your turn. Make sure to engage and disengage while driving straight only. Better yet if you have a long straigt rode ues it there multiple times a week instead of only once a month.

chris4x4 · 11-25-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westdog976

damn, i wish i would of read this earlier! i had mine in 4x4 while trying to turn into my narrow driveway... couldn't figure out why the truck felt like it was struggling... do you think any serious damage occurred?

I think your fine, if you havent noticed anything by now.

Banchi94 · 11-25-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickenmunga

In the manual for the 2008 4x4, it says that I should be driving 10 miles a month in 4WD to maintain good lubrication.

Crap! I'm at 5000 miles and had my truck since May and haven't even put it in 4WD yet. Oh well, snow is on the way!

FoxySandChick · 11-26-2008, 04:46 AM

Thanks for the reminder! It's raining today, so I'll try to get some miles on in 4x4.

signalbobby · 11-26-2008, 07:57 AM

so the 4x4 locks both front and rear? I thought diffs were torque sensing and biased. Not a full lock. I know taco's came with RR diff lock but that is for the rear. Not so sure this is accurate to cause driveline and cv axle stress. think about the stress is put on it when people do extreme 4x4's.

So what is the difference between the taco's 4WD vs my wifes 4runner 4WD.? Does that mean the 4runner's driveline and cv axles are stressed on the road?

Janster · 11-26-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signalbobby

so the 4x4 locks both front and rear? I thought diffs were torque sensing and biased. Not a full lock. I know taco's came with RR diff lock but that is for the rear. Not so sure this is accurate to cause driveline and cv axle stress. think about the stress is put on it when people do extreme 4x4's.

So what is the difference between the taco's 4WD vs my wifes 4runner 4WD.? Does that mean the 4runner's driveline and cv axles are stressed on the road?

A basic 4WD has OPEN diffs front & rear which means they 'differentiate' for side-to-side variances in speed/distance in the wheels (especially when turning). However - CV axles can and will be under stress if they are turned too sharply while applying 'drive' through them. The other concern is the transfer case. The 'drive' that comes out of the transfer case is the same front to rear. If each driveshaft experiences differences in speed/distance to eachother, that can cause binding in the t-case itself. Damage is rare but in theory, totally possible. FULLTIME 4WD systems are completely different - they have a t-case that's designed for 4WD all the time. Subaru has a 'center differential' (for example).

Chances are - your wifes 4Runner has the exact same 4WD system & setup as the tacoma. HOWEVER - if she has Fulltime 4WD, then her 4Runner was designed to run on pavement because the system can 'differentiate' front-to-rear AND back-to-front.

10-21-2008, 11:31 AM	#1
Chickenmunga Not the regular Beefaroni Joined: Apr 2008, #5877 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Age: 28 Posts: 305 08 TRD Offroad DC 4x4 w/ susp TSB 2008 Double Cab Automatic V6 Alpine iDA-X100	4x4 Proper monthly maintenance In the manual for the 2008 4x4, it says that I should be driving 10 miles a month in 4WD to maintain good lubrication. Since I don't have easy access to an open field, I use 4WD once a month as I go to work (approx 8 miles), turning it on once I get on the road, then off when I get near work. Am I safe in doing it this way, or am I 'required' to drive somewhere for a gravel/dirt road? Mind you, the closest good spot is 45 minutes - I'd love to be doing more 'off the beaten path', but you know how that goes...

10-21-2008, 11:33 AM	#2
tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Redneck Division Joined: May 2007, #1475 Location: rock hill, sc Age: 29 Gender: Male Posts: 12,617 04 trd tacoma 4x4 v6 double cab 2004 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 v6 vent visors,deck plate mod, gray wire mod, black steelies and emblems, mag-lite mod, wheelers/ome suspension, stainless brake lines,blacked out bumpers(bedliner),dynomax super turbo muffler,cabelas mossy oak seat covers ans camo steering wheel cover....still to come.... afe pro dry s filter..........plus many,many more!!	im not really sure that its a good idea to use the 4x4 on a dry road, torrential rain may be different. a dirt road is a great place to use the 4x4 each month if you have a dirt/gravel road close by. using it on dry pavement may really hurt your cv axles. __________________ i am WILL--my ride=04 tacoma trd 4x4 double cab, v6, auto,deck plate mod, grey wire mod, billy 5100's all the way around,black low-pro uws toolbox, black steelies,blacked out emblems, mag light mod,wheelers/alcan springs, ome 881 coils, braided stainless brake lines, polyurethane bushings,dynomax super turbo/slash cut tip-blacked out,chrome deleted bumpers via herculiner bed liner,color matched bedlinered tailgate, camo seat covers,sockmonkey decals,husky floor liners and still to come....15 inch wheelers steelies and gy wrangler mtr's!!! http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa269/tacomaman06/ signature by piercedtiger www.myspace.com/goodolboy1979

10-21-2008, 11:54 AM	#6
tdm156 Senior Member Joined: Apr 2008, #6166 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 449 2009 DC 4x4 SR5 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0	Being in Hillsboro there are dirt roads not far away. Go out to Forest Grove and drive a dirt road once a month and no worries! On the way back stop at the Grand Lodge and have lunch and make a day of it! __________________ 2009 DC 4x4, SR5, tow package, alloys, tint, 6 disc, undercover, k&N filter, scan gauge II, huskey liners front and rear

10-21-2008, 01:31 PM	#9
tdm156 Senior Member Joined: Apr 2008, #6166 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 449 2009 DC 4x4 SR5 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0	Those are a couple of areas...there are some great places out around Roy and all those back roads around the berry fields berry close to Hillsboro.....you can also go out towards the Roloff's farm as well. __________________ 2009 DC 4x4, SR5, tow package, alloys, tint, 6 disc, undercover, k&N filter, scan gauge II, huskey liners front and rear

10-21-2008, 06:54 PM	#10
linkfeeney Senior Member Joined: Dec 2006, #393 Location: mount laurel, NJ Posts: 652 09 Doublecab TRD Off-rd 2009 Double Cab Automatic v6	so use a construction site.... plenty of dirt road there!

11-25-2008, 03:51 PM	#13
Westdog976 Member Joined: Nov 2008, #10514 Location: Las Vegas Gender: Male Posts: 64 4x4 SR5 TRD Sport S/B D/C Magnetic Gray 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 MX black upper and lower girlles, debadged, limo tints, flowmaster dual side exit cat-back, DRLs mod, black stock wheels	damn, i wish i would of read this earlier! i had mine in 4x4 while trying to turn into my narrow driveway... couldn't figure out why the truck felt like it was struggling... do you think any serious damage occurred?

11-26-2008, 04:46 AM	#17
FoxySandChick Senior Member Joined: Sep 2008, #9505 Location: Henderson, NV Gender: Chick Posts: 495 07 DC 4x4 Base model V6 Impulse Red Pearl 2007 Double Cab Automatic Limo tint, black wet okole's, extra d-rings, TSB bilsteins	Thanks for the reminder! It's raining today, so I'll try to get some miles on in 4x4.

11-26-2008, 07:57 AM	#18
signalbobby Junior Member Joined: Nov 2008, #11007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Gender: Male Posts: 3 06 Raven R6 Double Cab Automatic	so the 4x4 locks both front and rear? I thought diffs were torque sensing and biased. Not a full lock. I know taco's came with RR diff lock but that is for the rear. Not so sure this is accurate to cause driveline and cv axle stress. think about the stress is put on it when people do extreme 4x4's. So what is the difference between the taco's 4WD vs my wifes 4runner 4WD.? Does that mean the 4runner's driveline and cv axles are stressed on the road?