10mi of 4x4 per month - According to Manual

Transfer case is made of toilet paper

 

I got my new 2016 in February and am trying to use 4x4 as mentioned in the manual. Fortunately I live at the end of a 1/3 mile gravel road, so many times a week it'll get briefly activated.

 

I used 4x4 twice in the past three years. Oh well

 

This has been true for 4x4's since the beginning of time. My uncle had an old 70 International Harvester Scout. It was in the manual back then too, once of month, lock hubs, drive in 4x4 high for 10 miles. The only thing that has really changed in 4x4's is not having to get out and lock the hubs. Good deal for posting this for new 4x4 owners who may not know how to treat them, but anyone that knows anything about 4x4 drives should know and practice this. Also, get your zerks lubed every 5k miles.

 

U dont actually have to do this, its merely a suggestion from the manufacturer. And i guarantee that would not cause a transfer to explode like a hand grenade

 

Do you really want to gamble that when you need 4x4, it is actually going to engage? Yes it is a requirement if you want to be 100% sure your truck will go into all wheel drive when asked. Don't pass out junk info.

 

That reminds me, I need to go activate my rear locker today. Been too long.

 

I have approx 20 mile between me and my carpool, so I run 4H 3-4x a week, 5 miles each. Typically one way or the other. Then of course I'm off half the time, so its either I am out MTB or wheeling. Plenty of lube there.

what other zerks are there except the u-joints? not being a smartass however the way TIS has the manual setup it would be hours for the download, I was lucky enough to get the electrical and a good portion of the repair manual.

 

Haha ok, thanks for putting me in my place, btw fixed for you

 

Would be after the first month it was bought , or starting the First month

 

Wasn't trying to put you in your place. But if you want to know that shit is going to work, you should follow the manual. If it doesn't engage when you do the maintenance, you can take it to the shop immediately for repair. You don't want to be in a ditch somewhere in BFE and go into 4x4 and be surprised. Test it monthly, give it enough miles to move around and heat the lubrication, you will never have a problem.

 

Your right im just in a mood, have a good'un

 

Back in the day when you had hubs, sure... nothing was spinning... These trucks are live axle trucks and everything spins. I suspect this is merely to keep the actuators and shift forks from seizing.

 

There are five zerks on Toyota Tacoma 4x4 universal joints. Best practice is lube them at every oil change or 5k miles, whichever.

 

My last truck F250 diesel 4x4 owned it for 10 years never used it off road , I pity the guy that I sold it to.

 

I don't understand why half of these people think (or make it sound) that you can't drive in 4wd on dry pavement or make turns while in 4 wheel drive. Both are false!

Of course you don't want to be doing donuts while our in 4wd and your driveline is binding. Also there really isn't a need to use it if the roads are dry, but if your driving normal your not going to do any harm. Drive line only binds when the wheel is cut almost all the way. Normal driving usually the wheel never needs that much turn unless your parking.

 

So, if you drive 120 miles all at once, you are good for year, correct?

 

Are you saying the front driveshaft spins while moving in 2WD? If so I don't think this is correct, at least not for the 2nd gens. When in 2WD one axle is disconnected from front diff, so the other axle is simply turning the spider gears. The ring gear and thus the front driveshaft are stationary. This probably helps fuel economy due to less rotating mass, but not by much. In the end, running it in 4WD helps keep the t-case and front diff lubed as well as exercises the actuators. Otherwise Toyota would just advise folks to sit in a parking lot and flip the 4WD switch a couple of times a month.

 

I can rotate the front drive shaft by hand when the car is parked, in both directions. I believe it's probably stationary when in 2wd mode. Disclaimer: I could be wrong, new to all of this.