New 4X4 owner. Question about 4Hi engagement.

All transfer case and rear locker engagements and disengagements are a bit finicky.

2hi <=> 4hi is the least finicky and works best if you are moving in a straight line at constant speed.

4hi <=> 4lo only works when stopped with the clutch pushed all the way to the floor. Often you need to roll forward or backwards a little to line things up. It’s usually easier on soft surfaces where there is less bind up in the drive train. Sometimes you need to be patient.

Rear locker only works when stopped with the clutch pushed all the way to the floor. Often you need to move forward or backward with the wheel turned to line things up. Like above soft surfaces make things easier. Be very patient. Another locker tip is that if you turn the engine off with the locker on, it will typically disengage. Remember to hit the button again right after restarting the engine.

 

Isn't the step by step, idiot proof directions for 2WD/4WD/4WDlo plastered on the sun visor right in front of the driver's face? My 2nd and 3rd gen both had/have them there.

 

So new to the 4x4, and already we have learned why people love manual t-cases

Wait till you break a cv or the front 4x4 won’t work. Then you will see why people love manual hubs.

 

In my experience in my old truck (haven't had a ton in this one yet), the process of shifting in and out of 4x4 went faster when moving, but not on the gas. But my GMC also rarely had issues shifting into 4x4 at all. The Toyota's (both my Tacoma and our 4Runner) seem to be a little more finicky on activation. My GMC actually never had any issues shifting into 4x4 from park. Our two Toyotas can, but sometimes require a little movement so the transfer case can match up.

 

I haven’t owned a truck with manual locking hubs but I have friends that had them and there was similar finickiness. Plus you have stop, get out of the truck, and get your boots dirty. I see few advantages.

I don’t understand your point about breaking a CV. How do manual locking hubs prevent CV damage? Perhaps you are thinking of a solid axle suspension (SAS)?

 

The OLD saying? I'm still just a kid and back in my day, we had to get out to manually lock the hubs!

I'll be in the midlife crisis threads if anyone needs me.

 

Rear locker will engage moving up to 5 mph. It physically will engage at any speed but Toyota decided to protect your truck from you and enacted a 5 mph threshold for the unlocked to lock shift.

I engage my front locker at any speed, don't care. As long as you aren't slipping wheels or cornering, it's totally good to go.

 

decouple drive line from broken parts allowing you to get home in 2wd or 3wd mode

also no live axle eliminates the issue for front diff electric failures, which can Keep you stuck in what ever drive mode u were just in

also, also ...Most manual hub set ups are “free floating snouts” (as opposed to the unit bearing we have) so that’s way stronger for bigger tires and hard hits. (Larger wheel bearing area , and bearing spread . Plus rotating on a large diameter axis)

 

I’ve never had 4lo or the locker engage unless I had the clutch pushed all the way to the floor. I assume there is a sensor for that? There have been a few occasions where I forgot, couldn’t get it to engage, pushed the clutch the extra half inch, and it engaged immediately.

 

Cool

 

4LO is a different animal. I can't speak on your specific instances of locker use but I'm just explaining how it works. There's a tag on the driver's side door with Toyota's description for the masses as well.

 

Oh, I have an idea.

 

It could have just been coincidence that pushing the clutch fully to the floor those couple times. Many times I have found both the locker and 4lo to be finicky and tried all sorts of shenanigans trying to get it to engage/disengage. Its not always clear which shenanigan was the trick.

 

I doubt there is anything wrong with your truck. Stick with 4wd high. Learn how to activate 4wd lo but you probably will never need it.

 

Or you can download a PDF version.

I guess it's easier to ask a online question than RTFM or a simple google search.