Sales guy used 4L on pavement briefly

Is it normal to hear an audible clunk when switching from 2 to 4H? This is my first part time 4 wheel drive vehicle. My 4Runner is AWD, with 4H and 4L

 

Yes

 

You should hear it engage. Might be a small clunk but shouldn’t be overly loud

 

I stay in 4HI unless I see a stretch of asphalt that lasts for awhile or goes around a bend, then I'll switch it back to 2wd. Switching back and forth doesn't hurt anything, as long as you're doing it correctly (don't try to engage 4wd when the tires are slipping for instance).

 

I got you bro...

OP TAKE IT BACK AND DEMAND A NEW TRUCK!!!



you’ll be fine

 

In the new trucks it’s all electronic and getting information from the ECU. It won’t engage in any situation that would damage itself, or so it’s designed. Mine won’t engage while I’m not the throttle. Maybe it will after several seconds but I always seem to have to let off a second to let it engage. My f150 was I the fly and would shift into 4wd while accelerating as long as it wasn’t over ~60

 

AWD vehicles will have a center diff, or a viscous coupling between the front and rear drivelines. this allows for variances in the rotational speed of each driveshaft/axles shaft. it's essentially why you see AWD vehicles that have a locking center diff, or a computer controlled center diff (think Subaru's WRX STI variable center diff), older versions such as those found in early wagoneers use a LSD type center diff.. if the vehicle has a center diff lock means they essentially lock out the diff action, and both driveshafts from teh T-case, or transaxles spin at the same rate/speed. the computer controlled systems, can bias traction to either front, or rear drive depending on intended driving style. depending on manufacturer they will have high range only, or low range shifter will be added via a reduction housing between the transmission, and transfer case. giving you H - N - L with some having options for C-Diff lockup via button, or lever mechanism.

the good: lots of traction at all times, ability to lock/unlock front and rear, if you have lockers, and a lockable center diff the vehicle is considered fully locked (think old range rovers, and land rovers).
the bad (need constant maintenance LSD's require special additives to the case fluids, and rebuilds to replace clutch packs), tires wear faster, driveshafts are always spinning causing drag, and decrease fuel economy.

4wd/4x4 vehicles use either a gear or chain style transfer case to transfer power equally from the engine to front & rear axles. if the front is dis-engaged the driveshaft spins freely.. most older style gear driven t-cases can be twin sticked allowing you to engage only the front, or only the rear allowing for front digs(pull front end around a corner using only front wheel drive. or depending on the design of the T-case you can engage rear wheel drive only, in low range. only requres axles to have lockers to be fully locked. increase range/fuel economy over AWD/full time 4wd.. less maintenance, fluids exchanges are easier (most take ATF4, or gear oil). shift patterns 2H - 4H - N - 4L with mods you can do FWD only, and RWD LOW only (if you have front locking hubs.)..

there more in detail I can get.. but this is the simplest explanation Ican type up in 10 minutes.. there are many other variations, and itterations.. but these are the most common..

as for the driving in 4X4 on a high traction surface (pavement/concrete) you can cause binding in an 4x4/ part time 4wd system, and it can cause damage to gears, premature stretching of your transfer case chain, and if done violently, or at limits (high horsepower/high torque) you can actually destroy, and crack the case, and strip gears/splines of your transfer case due to stresses placed on the case shell and gears/chain... THESE TYPE SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED WITH TRACTION SLIPPAGE AS PART OF THE SYSTEM..

 

You forgot the “Never, ever drive with 4wd on dry pavement!!” Then the 2 paragraphs about how you need wheel slippage and yada yada yada.

 

I I understand not making a 90 turn on dry pavement in 4lo, but I always think about how I use 4lo in actual situations when it's needed. Plenty of times I'll be on hard dry rock but it's super steep, or lots of up or down ledges, or other situations I need to be in 4lo to get through, and in some cases the trail also requires sharp turning. So now what? I need to turn sharp, but I also need 4lo to move? I figure it can handle it fine, at slow speeds and smooth movements.

 

as long as it was a straight line and not one of those gay lines lol.. JK enjoy the truck

 

I'm sure most guys on here have at one time or another come out of the woods or wherever they were wheeling and accidentally drove down the road forgetting to switch back to 2wd.

 

I didn’t know there was any other time to use 4x4

 

Thanks. So I read the manual and didn’t see it mentioned. Just want to confirm:

You can’t go from 2W directly to 4L, correct ? I tried it today on loose gravel. I could only go from 2W—->4H——->4L

 

Good read. Thanks. But the question about patchy ice remains. Are you 2wd until you go in the ditch? I can tell you every 4wd here is locked in 4 hi when it snows.

 

You can run 4H on ice/snow patch roads. It’s the sharp turns on high traction surfaces that are not good.

You can run it on dry pavement if you want, it the sharp turns on high traction surfaces that cause binding which accelerates wear which breaks important things.

 

I'd say the turns on any highway are not sharp enough to be a concern in 4Hi. Still not recommended, but if you forget it on for a few kilometers, I doubt it makes much a change.

I still try to stay in 2Hi for as long as possible, I'll reduce my speed before switching to 4Hi, it's much smarter, 4WD doesn't give you any braking distance.

 

You can use 4wd any time you want. The only time you get binding of any consequence are tight turns like a parking lot. Whenever there is snow on the road i am in 4wd. I didn't pay extra to have a system I am afraid to use...

 

On snow and ice I’m going to run in 4 Hi most of the time, if conditions warrant I’ll go to 4 Lo.

 

I only use my 4x4 when needed, typically will kick it in at intersections just to help take off. Just cause it’s snowing doesn’t mean I need 4x4, I have always believed that 4x4 is to help me get out of a situation.

 

Damn fine answer. This needs to be placed at the top of a bunch of threads