4wd Lo Steep Hill

Hi

So I have a 2019 TRD Off Road dbcb manual.
I just got to an Airbnb and the final bit of road to it is super steep, the truck totally bogs down going up it unless I smoke the clutch.

The hill is paved with a 90° turn at the end.
Is it okay to use 4wd lo to go up it? Would it damage the t case? What are my options, a broken t-case or smoking the clutch?

Thanks for your help.

 

It will Buck a bit but will be fine. Use 4lo and save your clutch.

No one has broken anything on any Toyota truck by using 4x4 on dry pavement. It just feels bad.

 

You'll be fine for the vacation. Might want to look into the 2lo mod.

 

Thank you so much. It’s really a short distance, maybe 500 yards, but I always keep hearing that the transfer case will explode if used on dry pavement.

 

What do the owners normally use to get into it if you have to resort to low range?

 

Even on a tight turn? I’m going super slow but it’s super tight

 

I second the 2lo mod. Easy to do and well worth the effort to use it in reverse on any sort of incline. Will save your clutch.

 

I assume an automatic, or a vehicle with more torque. I love my Tacoma but the torque is non existent

 

Is this something I can do without buying the kit? I’m outside if the country and doubt I can get it shipped here

 

The clutch is meant to be a wear item.

You may be slipping it more to get going but once you're moving and it's fully engaged 1st gear will have enough to get you going.

 

It is possible to do it without the kit. It would require some relays, some harness modifications and a power resistor.

Edit: and switch.

 

Does it bog if you keep it floored in 1st gear (maintaining > 4000 rpm)?

 

Glad I bought an automatic I guess, who knew a V6 with 4.30 gears smoked the clutch on a paved road going into a rental.

 

Is it easier in reverse? Or is that gear too tall too?

 

Go slow and don't unnecessarily load up the diff and it'll be fine. It'll hop, skip, and bump making the turn, so don't give it too much torque, just let it slowly skip the tires

 

I’ll 3rd the 2lo mod (though it doesn’t help you now).

It reminds me…. We did an Airbnb in Tennessee recently but in my wife’s rdx. It was steep enough that it made me think of those guys smoking 3rd gens on hill climbs.

 

Strange I have only heard it will explode but never a post on a broken one.

 

No but will definitely smoke the clutch

 

This is also in a third world country. Going thru El Salvador now.

 

I was at an Airbnb in Wyoming this summer that I either had to send it or use 2lo or 4lo to get up the driveway. It was noted in the ad for it though.

There's a spot on my own property that I can't get a run at because of trees and have to put it in Lo to get up the hill.

So... Send it, slip the clutch, or, put it in Lo. All have their pros and cons.