4x4 engagement and disengagement

Don’t thrash me too bad. I haven’t owned a 4x4 in years. I have only had AWD’s since early 2000’s.

But today was the first day I have used the 4x4 on my Tacoma. Engaged like it should. But I noticed when I turned it off it lurched a little. Is this common? Or something I should keep an eye on?

 

Normal. Nothing to worry about.

 

Yea the driveline will bind up slightly in 4wd on hard surfaces especially when turning, if it's in a bind when you switch back to 2wd you will get a clunk and/or feel the truck jerk a bit.

 

Leave your foot off the gas when engaging/disengaging 4wd.

 

I would recommend even if you’re not using your 4x4 alot to engage it at least half a dozen times a year to make sure the solenoid doesn’t freeze up. Just preventative maintenance

 

This is sound advice. I have a straight stretch of back road that I travel frequently. I try to run this 1.5 mile stretch in 4WD at least once a month....and yes you can feel a little clunk at it engages and disengages.

 

Thanks everyone. I'll start running my 4x4 more often in the summer here. This is pretty much my work truck. Back and forth to work, and around town. Haven't been off-roading with it yet. I live in Minot, ND so not alot of offroading here.

She did really good in the snow yesterday. Granted it was only around 3", but it was ice underneath. I was watching cars not being able to make it up my hill, and the Tacoma made it up with no issues.

I may go this weekend and buy 4 of these to put in the bed. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-60-lb-Tube-Sand-115960/100318522

 

I believe Toyota recommends a minimum of 10 consecutive miles of 4x4 monthly. I usually do it while waiting in traffic on a rainy day or god forbid take myself down a dirt road

 

I guess I need to find me some back roads here in Minot....lol

 

Crawl under the truck and check the vent hoses on the actuators regularly as well, if they crack or fall off moisture and dirt will get in the actuators and quickly destroy them.

 

You mind posting a pic of what you mean?

 

It's all here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-system-operation-help-thread.742420/

 

We had a 4X4 Jeep Cherokee 30 years ago that my wife drove. We neglected to use 4X4 regularly and found it would not engage one night while leaving a rodeo in the rain. Hundreds of car/trucks parked in a pasture all leaving at once after it started raining made for a muddy mess. We managed to get back to the road without it, but things were touch and go in a few spots.

The grease in the front hubs had hardened from non-use and would not allow the hubs to lock. All that was needed was to be disassemble, clean, re-lube the hubs and put it all back together. Electrical components can corrode from non-use too. I've made it a point since to engage 4X4 regularly. I don't get in the recommended 10 miles each and every month. Some months it may only be 2-3 miles, other months 200-300. And I may occasionally skip a month. But I've had no issues with that since with all of the 4X4's I've owned.

I do not advise using 4x4 on pavement to do this. Even wet pavement. And you can't drive 1 mile in a straight line anywhere I live. Find a gravel of road with a loose dirt surface Yes, you can get away with it if done sparingly and there are limited situations where it may be necessary. But you are over stressing drive line components driving in 4X4 on pavement. Even off road if traction is good. Unlike AWD, a true 4X4 should be used in 4X4 sparingly and only as needed off or on road.

You most likely won't see a catastrophic failure, it may not break today, or even next year. But repeated use of 4X4 on pavement will lead to premature parts failure. I've paid to have transfer cases rebuilt from doing this. Twice. Long story, but that was 45 years ago when I was young and dumb.

 

Thanks! Bookmarked