1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

4x4 4hi vs 2x4

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by SubFrozen, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. Dec 8, 2009 at 2:38 AM
    #1
    SubFrozen

    SubFrozen [OP] r00t

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Member:
    #24632
    Messages:
    388
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    William
    Sandy, UT
    Vehicle:
    2007 Taco SR5 V6
    3" OME Heavy Duty Lift, 18" Chrome Rimes, ARB Front Bumper, K&N Cold Air Intake
    Hey guys n gals--

    Lately the snow is pounding hard here at the house, making me put my truck in 4x4 4-high. Is there a con to driving the freeway with it in 4-high, or a max speed? Can I drive it in 4x4 4-high all the time?

    -Will
     
  2. Dec 8, 2009 at 4:05 AM
    #2
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Member:
    #16011
    Messages:
    7,551
    Gender:
    Male
    Elizabeth City, NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 F-250 Powerstroke
    Max speed with 4HI I think is 65, but I'd double check your manual. Thats what its there for. If the snow is that bad, you shouldn't be driving that fast anyways.
     
  3. Dec 8, 2009 at 4:24 AM
    #3
    TacoCat

    TacoCat These pretzels are making me thirsty

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
    Member:
    #24912
    Messages:
    8,218
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnny-5
    Chantilly, VA
    Vehicle:
    22 JLUR 6MT
    I usually figure if I'm able to go above 30 MPH or so comfortably then 4wd isn't needed. If you're cruising on an interstate at 45 MPH I think you're safe to take it out of 4 hi. That's just unnecessary wear and tear to leave it in 4 hi all the time.
    Plus I noticed my mileage goes through the floor in 4 hi.
     
  4. Dec 8, 2009 at 5:09 AM
    #4
    Demoncleaner

    Demoncleaner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2008
    Member:
    #4065
    Messages:
    516
    Gender:
    Male
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    05 Dcab 6spd 4x4 TRD Sport w/Tow
    TRD exhaust Homemade bed mat & bed extender, front Drings, Short clutch throw, Summer: Stock 17's Winter: Blizzaks on 16' black steelies
    Stated in the manual, Max speed to shift into 4hi is 60 mph, but the speed limit locked in is 109 for 2wd or 4hi. Though the speed limit is really what the conditions dictate. For most, no reason to be above 65. I've got thousands of miles on the hwy and interestate in 4hi, if its nasty out, use it.

    Also, I wouldnt worry about mpg, I've found on snow covered hwy, you lose less than 1 mpg in 4hi vs 2wd. I can remember many trips getting 18.
     
  5. Dec 8, 2009 at 6:30 AM
    #5
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    Sounds wrong in writing , but a lot of people go 60mph in 4wd on the freeway here in the snow, me included. But keep in mind, use a lot more following distance! Also do you have the right tires, is it curvy or straight, ice or snow. Its not a good idea to do just because you can, we use gravel not salt so there is more traction initially , but people forget gravel flings back and eventually gets packed in or flung clear of the tracks.
    4wd is safer under these conditions, why risk losing control, I want good mpg , but its not a priority in the winter. If you can do 2wd safely have at it though, I stay in 2wd as long as its reasonable.
     
  6. Dec 8, 2009 at 6:44 AM
    #6
    Jotun

    Jotun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Member:
    #25462
    Messages:
    87
    Gender:
    Male
    Fort Rucker, AL
    Vehicle:
    DBL cab LB TRD Sport PreRunner
    I say move to Arizona to heck with all that
     
  7. Dec 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM
    #7
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    Air -o -zona.. hey Jotun isn't it Tuscon , not tucson?:D
     
  8. Dec 8, 2009 at 5:53 PM
    #8
    brandob9

    brandob9 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2009
    Member:
    #18937
    Messages:
    248
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    09 DC Long Bed
    Soundproofed cab, beeps purged, bed lights, extra bed tie-downs and TSB springs.
    I'm in the habit of switching in when I see the nastiness coming, and switching out anytime I can. I'm concerned about wear on the front diff, but I'm open to being wrong on this front.

    For example, I was driving up the Kalama River Road near Mt. St. Helens last weekend. It is an exceptionally curvy road, and in many places is in full-time shade this time of year due to mountain and tree shadow. Mostly in those places, it was covered in ice due to freezing fog overnight. I chose to drop in for these corners, and out for the sections that had stayed clear.
     
  9. Dec 8, 2009 at 6:47 PM
    #9
    Razorecko

    Razorecko Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2009
    Member:
    #18125
    Messages:
    1,692
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '09 Pyrite DCLB TRD Supercharged
    change the diff fluids more frequently and you wont have to worry about excessive wear
     
  10. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:13 PM
    #10
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Member:
    #19356
    Messages:
    2,004
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Western New York
    Vehicle:
    09 4X4 SR5 BSP Double Taco
    Rear Spring TSB,Billy 5100@.85,Bull bar,Nerfbar,Painted Grill,Painted Rims,Bed D-rings,Compustar Starter,Goodyear Duratrac's,Transmission TSB,Brake Overide
    If the conditions require 4hi, then use it. why would you be concerned about wear and tear???? The front diff does the same thing as a rear diff, and i use the rear diff everyday. I would rather be in 4hi than in a ditch or worse.
     
  11. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:16 PM
    #11
    Yoytoda

    Yoytoda The Little Truck That Could

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2009
    Member:
    #23690
    Messages:
    4,937
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Roland
    Big Bear,CA / Upstate NY(Saratoga)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma Regular Cab 4x4
    completely stock
    i only use 4x to get going if i have to. I have not felt any benefit using 4x on the highway, if fact using 4x on the highway gives alot of people false security. If there is a ton of snow on the highway going as fast as you can in 2hi is fast enough, 4x tempts you to go faster...my .02
     
  12. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:22 PM
    #12
    thestrangebrew

    thestrangebrew AlphaPlanner

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Member:
    #21878
    Messages:
    566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Dos Palos CA
    Vehicle:
    TRD 4x4 Rugged Trail Edition
    Black Badges, Black Center Console
    I was always under the impression that you had to stop, put the gear in neutral, then hit the switch to 4hi. I have an auto, so does this mean that I can just switch the knob while driving under 60 to go into 4hi? Sorry I'm a noob to this still.
     
  13. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:23 PM
    #13
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Member:
    #19356
    Messages:
    2,004
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Western New York
    Vehicle:
    09 4X4 SR5 BSP Double Taco
    Rear Spring TSB,Billy 5100@.85,Bull bar,Nerfbar,Painted Grill,Painted Rims,Bed D-rings,Compustar Starter,Goodyear Duratrac's,Transmission TSB,Brake Overide
    I think i'll play it smart and use the 4hi on the highway when conditions are bad. Its not the 4x that give you a false security, its the idoit driving that does.
     
  14. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:23 PM
    #14
    Yoytoda

    Yoytoda The Little Truck That Could

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2009
    Member:
    #23690
    Messages:
    4,937
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Roland
    Big Bear,CA / Upstate NY(Saratoga)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma Regular Cab 4x4
    completely stock
    Yes the manual says thats ok to do. You have to stop to go into 4lo.
     
  15. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:24 PM
    #15
    thestrangebrew

    thestrangebrew AlphaPlanner

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Member:
    #21878
    Messages:
    566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Dos Palos CA
    Vehicle:
    TRD 4x4 Rugged Trail Edition
    Black Badges, Black Center Console
    Wow that was fast! lol thanks Yoytoda!
     
  16. Dec 8, 2009 at 10:25 PM
    #16
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Member:
    #19356
    Messages:
    2,004
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Western New York
    Vehicle:
    09 4X4 SR5 BSP Double Taco
    Rear Spring TSB,Billy 5100@.85,Bull bar,Nerfbar,Painted Grill,Painted Rims,Bed D-rings,Compustar Starter,Goodyear Duratrac's,Transmission TSB,Brake Overide
    SB - you can put into 4hi while under 60, but like you i would rather do it stopped. that way it is easier for everything to engage.
     
  17. Dec 8, 2009 at 11:41 PM
    #17
    supralight

    supralight Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2009
    Member:
    #21479
    Messages:
    672
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Earth
    Vehicle:
    2013 4Runner limited
    YES! use 4HI in highway covered by snow. I live where we get a lot, and I tell you, sometimes with all the wind and snow, sometimes going on the highway in 2wd when you have the option of having 4wd is just stupid. You get way more stability in 4 high as your rear tires are not on the verge of slipping.
     
  18. Dec 9, 2009 at 12:07 AM
    #18
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Member:
    #16011
    Messages:
    7,551
    Gender:
    Male
    Elizabeth City, NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 F-250 Powerstroke
    Theres no danger in engaging 4HI at any normal speed... why? Because everythings moving at the same speed.


    4LO you're completely changing your drive ratio... cannot be done, thats why your light always blinks on the dash if you try it. I will never do it unless I'm stopped or rolling VERY slowly to help the gears engage.
     
  19. Dec 9, 2009 at 5:30 AM
    #19
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    the snow going to Tahoe ski resorts as light n fluffy, up here it starts out slippery quicker. I would drive my Impala to SQaw valley, it had snow ties, and thats where i firt noticed 4x4s in the ditch. If 4x4 gives a false sense of security its to the people learning , traction control and good tires could give the same false sense. USE 4wd as needed, knowing 4wd doesnt make traction , tires make traction.
     
  20. Dec 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
    #20
    S-M-R-T

    S-M-R-T Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2009
    Member:
    #13548
    Messages:
    121
    Gender:
    Male
    The thing to remember about winter driving is that traction moving forward is not the problem; stopping is the problem. If you don't have enough traction to drive in 2wd on the highway without maintaining control, then you don't have enough traction to brake while maintaining control. That means that you are overdriving the conditions. All four wheels already have brakes, 4x4 won't help you stop in an emergency.

    I do use 4x4 in the winter on a regular basis but I keep it to a minimum. Usually for situations like starting on an intersection on a slope so that I don't polish it up for everyone else, or after a fresh dump when the snow is just too deep. 4wd is a tool, not a crutch. Quality winter tires, bed weight, and driving style should all be priorities over turning the 4wd knob.

    Don't forget that using 4hi when there is some traction on the road is extremely hard on components.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top