Manual 4x4's, anyone?

Hi. My first car was a Camry. This fall I purchased a 2001 Tacoma. It’s my first manual, first v6, and first 4x4 so it’s AWESOME and I’m really excited about it. I am learning a lot and I’d like to be great at driving so I’d appreciate anything helpful you have to say I don’t have the manual for it (getting my hands on it soon!) and I’m the least tech savvy person I know so I’m hoping to get some info from you. My only particular question is reassurance that I can switch on my 4x4 on the fly? The instructions on my visor aren’t very clear to me. It only says you have to stop completely to get into L4. Does it matter what gear I’m in when I turn on/off 4wd? And I’m sure this is a dumb question but you can reverse in 4wd right??? I’d like any cool tips or tricks you have but especially stuff about using the 4x4. Thanks!

 

Hello and welcome to TW, I had a 2004 tacoma, although it was an auto, and now I have a 1998 4runner. You can switch on 4wd while you are moving, preferably in a straight line, just push in the clutch, switch it to 4wd, let it engage and then let out the clutch and yer good. I would suggest not going over 65 while in 4wd, and make sure you engage it at a slower speed. And yes you can reverse in 4wd. Just make sure that whether you are going forward or backwards you never lock your steering all the way, as it will damage the transfer case. I hope you enjoy your new truck and if you have any more questions feel free to ask!

 

Just try not to engage 4 wheel drive on hard surface roads .

Although it seems we all manage to do it for some reason.

 

only when it's raining

 

Hit the clutch and shift it into 4wd.

 

Welcome to TW

 

It's not even that complicated. I have a 2000, 5spd.

You don't need to clutch in and out of 4hi, you can do it on the fly entirely without damage at moderate speeds. I wouldn't try it doing 90. DO NOT shift into 4wd if your rear wheels are spinning, bad things will likely happen. Rolling is ok, driving is ok, spinning is bad. Your tcase will not like you at all if you do that.

You may find shifting from 4 to 2 will be a bit smoother with the clutch. This time of year I shift on the fly probably 10-12 times a day, no clutch. I'll usually shift out when I'm doing a gear change so the clutch is already in. It's easy that way. If you have manual hubs the hubs do have to be locked in to go on the fly or else all you'll get is a grinding noise unless you're at a complete stop. To go into 4lo, you need to be pretty much stopped, clutch in and out. So you can go 2wd (at least with my tcase/hub setup) but you have to be stopped to do it.

Turning to full lock on 4wd won't damage the tcase, it's unrelated. All the tcase knows is either one or both driveshafts are turning, beyond that it's the differentials problem, and then the axles/joints/hubs etc.

Only use part time 4wd in situations where there is not full traction. If you have a 2wd/4wd setting or stick you have part time 4wd. Using it on dry concrete will cause binding in the tcase, that can damage it. It's designed for loose or slick surfaces only. Planning ahead and being in 4wheel before you need it is usually better than switching mid stream.

 

Thanks, everyone! I expected a lot more comments hating on my newbie-ness.

 

It's a fair question. No worries. Just don't start a thread on tire sizes

 

Ya! I was going to mention my 4x4 shifter won't turn off 4x4 unless it's in the H4 position, so I should just be able to hit the button. Only need to the clutch to get it in H2, according to my visor. So it's ok to turn on 4wd while I'm giving her gas? Also maybe this is a silly question. Can I turn 4x4 on and off while sitting stationary?

 

You can turn it on and off but it may or may not engage/disengage until you roll a little. I know mine (auto so apples-oranges I know) won't unless i roll about 5 ft.

 

I concur with everything Indy said.

With my truck (5 speed manual, V6, 4x4) I notice that if I let off the gas a little, it'll shift into 4H easier. But I stay on the gas when shifting back into 2H.

Edit: I should also mention I have a j-shifter for 4WD, not the push button.

 

I have the shifter with a button on it. What year is yours?

 

Yep. For the push button it won't go in and out unless the computer wants it to. I've got the shifter also, so if I wanted to I can GRIND THE LIVING HECK out of it At a dead stop, as mentioned you may need to roll a bit for the gears in the tcase to align correctly and put the front axle to work. "giving it gas" can mean a couple different things. Driving normally, steady speed, yep shifting in/out is fine. If you're accelerating, you're back in that 'spinning' realm of bad things might happen. Let off the gas, shift, back on the gas.


AFAIK, you have either the twin shifter or you have the single stick and push button on the dash. I don't think they made trucks with both. Both my 1st gens are/were twin stick, never had the push button type so my knowledge there is limited.

2hi and 4hi don't change the gear ratio in the tcase at all. It just engages the front drive shaft. 4low though, keeps the front engaged and also changes the gear ratio to a numerically higher ratio. You'll get more 'grunt' in low. But without manual hubs you won't be able to use 2 low and you'll have to go back into hi range before you can shift back into 2wd.

 

1998.

Mine is the j-shifter without the push button. Just a regular old shifter.

 

I don't wanna grind But I understand, no super vroom vroom when putting on 4wd. Cool.

 

JEEZ everyone here is so nice

 

I've been on off road forums for years, this place is pretty laid back. But go on my old jeep forum and ask a 'Why won't anyone wave at me" thread and I turn mean

If you want to the the opposite of nice, go hang out on pirate for a bit and ask some simple questions. You'll need thick skin, a flame suit, a few drinks and some meds when they're done being what they are

 

Nooo I don't want the opposite of nice! I like helpful people. The shit-talking is a waste of time for me :/ I hate being on the internet. Rather be cruisin' in the Taco!!!

 

Just enjoy it and just about anything you need to know will be somewhere on this forum already. Before doing any modifications make sure the normal maintenance has been done. Welcome!