Exercising the 4WD

Read someplace that it is a good idea to run at low speed in 4WD occasionally(minutes) to keep everything lubricated. Does the Tacoma 4WD operating on vacuum or electric or how does the dial on the dash talk to the transfer case and the hubs? My old Dodge transfer case had a lever and the front hubs were vacuum activated and if not used they would rust and not work. It was a good idea to shift back to 2WD, stop and back up a few feet too.

I'm talking to the guys who use 4WD when 2 WD loses traction, not the kids at the mud bog or the rock pile!

 

I think manual mentions 10 miles per month in 4Hi, I set a reminder on my phone for the first of each month

 

Tons of info here.

https://youtu.be/-FZcmDGVEmE?si=J0wTCrN8QDZOhbX3

 

I put mine in 4Hi after a first rain on a straight road. Roads are generally slick after a first rain and I feel it is close enough to what the manual says to keep everything moving and lubed

 

I try and engage the rear locker once a month as well. They can get finicky. When you really need it you don’t want it uncooperative.

 

The CVs and hubs are always live. Nothing happens at the wheels when you shift to 4WD.

The 4WD is all electronic. Electronic actuator on the transfer case to shift it. When you go from 2HI to 4HI, the transfer case shifts to 4HI and then once that’s complete the front axle disconnect slides over to engage the right side CV to the diff.

Using the system periodically keeps parts from getting gummed up and also ensures things like the front diff pinion bearings remain lubricated and that the actuators that do the shifting continue to move freely.

 

I just put mine in 4Hi and back to 2wd for a moment about every month when I'm driving on a straight road just exercise the actuator motors. If I get on gravel or off pavement then I try to remember to switch to 4Hi too. Doing what I do though you have to be careful to not leave it in 4hi on pavement and make any turns as that could cause wear and damage.

 

4WD Manual Statement.

 

If it's raining, I'll drive to work in 4H. Other than that, it gets the occasional trial workout.

 

Thank you, I noticed the usual 4WD hop when turning while in 4WD exercising my 4WD and though 10 miles per month sounded like overkill. The youtube presentation answered my questions, thank you Caber.

 

4WD pushes all 4 tires at the same speed. Gravel/dirt roads or wet roads allow the slippage that does not torque the transfer case and differentials while 4WD is use.

I find an excuse to use 4WD for 10 miles each month so that all parts of both differentials and the transfer case get a good bath of yummy oils and lubricants.

 

When I drive to work in 4H while it's raining, I make sure I coast through turns to take it easy on the mechanicals. For me, all the turns between work and home are large radii. I put it back in 2WD just before I arrive at work and have to make a hard right into the driveway. everything gets a nice spin-up without too much load on the drivetrain.

 

I pop it into and out of 4HI a couple times every time I drive it, usually from my driveway straight to the main road. It's easier for me to remember to do it every time I drive it than it is for me to remember to do it once a month.







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I just engage mine on a few 4WD trips a year and a during the winter when needed... 16 years later and it still works like new.

 

The transfer is electrically engaged. There's still mechanical gears meshing, and they sit in a lubricant for a reason; so it's best to run them so nothing is seized when you need it.

It would be a weekly check at a minimum in my old world... but I think engaging it once on a monthly basis is fine. Just back it the length of a residential driveway in 4 hi, and drive it back forward in 4 lo. Done. Every shaft and gear has been engaged and spun a couple hundred times. Lock the rear when you drive forward if you have a factory locker.

As for the hubs, my understanding is that they're always locked in. The front drive shaft spins, but is disconnected from any gear at the transfer.

 

I put a sticky note on my taco to remember to do this. I have only put it in 4wd twice in the 2 years I have owned it. I only have 6 thousand miles on it. Going to try and remember this weekend.

 

I shove it in 4hi when it's raining hard...

 

I use 4hi and 4lo locked monthly, my truck shifts without issue.

 

Don't wait until you loose traction in 2wd. You would think "I got in here in 2wd so if I get stuck I just put in in 4wd." Doesn't work that way, believe me. if you think you need the 4wd then use it. Anyways, I was a young guy, back in the day, at the mud bogs and I learned the hard way.