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How do I use 4WD and not destroy my truck?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by The Noid, Nov 6, 2022.

  1. Nov 7, 2022 at 12:28 PM
    #41
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    Yeah there was, pretty epic. That kind of stress is so much worse than anything they see if the sizes are alright.
     
  2. Nov 7, 2022 at 12:36 PM
    #42
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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    Then again, downtown LA is very different from Wyoming. If it's a strictly city surbanite taco, its going to see much less need for 4WD.
     
  3. Nov 7, 2022 at 2:56 PM
    #43
    coopnugz

    coopnugz Well-Known Member

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    Yea I threw that in for the OP’s sake as I don’t think they’d be asking this question if they were regularly wheeling or using 4wd. I find myself going a couple months here and there between letting the taco eat up some trails, so I apply the 10 mile a month rule that’s straight out of the owner’s manual. I’ve got an Auto with the Electric button on the j shifter so I like knowing that everything connects and the servos/solenoids are working etc. Look at me getting all defensive… It is depressing how little I take her off road since moving out of California.
     
  4. Nov 8, 2022 at 11:11 AM
    #44
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

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    :gossip: if you have an electric 4wd button you dont have a j shift. But now we're getting down to semantics with the terminology here
     
    coopnugz[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Nov 8, 2022 at 11:14 AM
    #45
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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    Actually and I can't cite specifics but there are Jshift tcases out there with the button. I *think* it was the locking center diff tcases (?)
    Have seen them though. I'll see if I can dig up more info/pics
     
  6. Nov 8, 2022 at 11:32 AM
    #46
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Most AWD vehicles have a differential after the transmission for exactly the reason covered above- That in AWD the front/back would bind. That obviously doesn't work when the AWD isn't selectable like 2wd/4wd transfer cases. Some of those AWD do have the ability to lock the center diff, but typically they are closer in function to a Limited Slip Diff in that some power is routed to both. The fancier ones let you dial that in, 60% rear, 40% front, etc... I don't know what Tacoma would have that though.
     
    Area51Runner[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Nov 8, 2022 at 12:00 PM
    #47
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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    Here is what I remember seeing. It wasn't a 2-4 button but the 4WD button.

    upload_2022-11-8_12-1-21.jpg
     
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    #47
    Bivouac likes this.
  8. Nov 8, 2022 at 12:01 PM
    #48
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Okayest Member

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    yeah I think those are the somewhat uncommon shifters off the full time 4wd 3rd gen 4runners with center diffs. Some people have talked about doing that swap on their 1st gens.
     
    Bivouac and Area51Runner[QUOTED] like this.
  9. Nov 8, 2022 at 12:02 PM
    #49
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

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    Oh. shit ya that checks out. the 4R had a selectable center diff.
     
    Area51Runner[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Nov 8, 2022 at 12:04 PM
    #50
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Okayest Member

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    I think it was just some of the Limited models? Definitely not all of them, most were just part time 4wd like ours. Or maybe it was a model year thing. @Kwikvette probably knows
     
  11. Nov 8, 2022 at 12:12 PM
    #51
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    4 run, 2 don't
    Only for 2001 and 2002 models.

    When you put it in 4WD/4HI it's basically AWD. Again only for 2001-02 4Runners regardless of trim as it was standard equipment.

    Once you push that center Lock button (where the rear diff lock sits on older 4Runners or TRD Tacomas), it locks the center and now it runs as any actual 4WD truck does.

    Multimode had the same concept, but those transfer cases were an 'option' and not standard equipment by any means. They were also found only in 1999-00 models.
     
    Bivouac and eon_blue[QUOTED] like this.
  12. Nov 8, 2022 at 12:20 PM
    #52
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    4 run, 2 don't
    4Runner Multimode.
     
  13. Nov 8, 2022 at 1:52 PM
    #53
    Nano909

    Nano909 Stirrer Of Pots

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    My Tacoma is already slow enough, it being in AWD would be terrible. Would be a cool swap for 5 lugs
     
  14. Nov 8, 2022 at 1:54 PM
    #54
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Okayest Member

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    It can still be driven in 2wd, it's not AWD in the sense that it's constantly powering all 4 wheels. I think it's more like a full time 4wd option, especially since you can put it in 4lo
     
  15. Nov 8, 2022 at 1:55 PM
    #55
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    4 run, 2 don't
    You have a Tacoma, not a 4Runner.
     
  16. Nov 8, 2022 at 1:55 PM
    #56
    Nano909

    Nano909 Stirrer Of Pots

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    Oh I thought it was like the newer Limited 4runners/GX that come in AWD with a low gear TC.
     
  17. Nov 8, 2022 at 1:56 PM
    #57
    Nano909

    Nano909 Stirrer Of Pots

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    Never said I had a 4runner.
     
  18. Nov 8, 2022 at 1:58 PM
    #58
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    4 run, 2 don't
    No but the recent discussion above regarding the center lock (and even the picture of the shift knob) is specific to the 3rd Gen 4Runner.

    Not available in a Tacoma.

    Sucks the 4Runner did away with the rear locker for the last 2 years of the 3rd Gen.
     
  19. Nov 8, 2022 at 2:01 PM
    #59
    Nano909

    Nano909 Stirrer Of Pots

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    Oh I didn't click the link. I thought some Limited 3rd gen 4runners had the same AWD system as the newer Limited 4R/GX and assumed you guys were talking about swapping that system into the Tacoma.
     
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  20. Nov 8, 2022 at 2:02 PM
    #60
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    4 run, 2 don't
    I didn't click a link either, just got roped into this mid-discussion :rofl:

    Would definitely be a cool swap in a Tacoma, but throw in a crawl box while you're at it!
     
    Bivouac likes this.

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