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I am a 4wd newbie

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Buffco, Jul 16, 2011.

  1. Jul 16, 2011 at 8:19 PM
    #1
    Buffco

    Buffco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My dad always thought 4wd was a waste of money. Well, the 99 Taco I just bought is a 4wd, so there.

    But problem is, I know precious little about it, except the few things I've read like not running in 4wd on pavement.

    I have a potentially very stupid question. When 4wd is engaged (but the hubs are NOT locked in) does this essentially "gear down" your transmission? Can putting your truck in 4wd (again, withOUT the hubs locked in) be used for "granny-gearing"?
     
  2. Jul 16, 2011 at 11:45 PM
    #2
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    In Low Range, yes... In High Range the gearing is the same as in 2WD. On older 4WD's (some) you can find a 2-LOW position (unmarked) in the shift pattern of the transfer case shifter. My friend had a 1972 Jeep CJ-5, and loved to play trucker, and run through the gears in 2-LOW before going to 2-HIGH... LOL

    There is TON's to read on 4WD... on the Internet... It is no waste of money IF you go places where only 4WD can get you to (or back from)!
     
  3. Jul 16, 2011 at 11:50 PM
    #3
    THExBUSxDRIVER

    THExBUSxDRIVER Victory is reserved...

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    Not enough.
    In no circumstances engage 4wd on dry or wet pavement.
     
  4. Jul 16, 2011 at 11:56 PM
    #4
    darkgreentaco

    darkgreentaco XXXL Member

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    X2...Bush agrees with the bus driver,"No 4x4 on pavement!!".


    [​IMG]
     
  5. Jul 17, 2011 at 4:22 AM
    #5
    bicklebok

    bicklebok Well-Known Member

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    Congratulations on your new ride!
     
  6. Jul 17, 2011 at 5:35 PM
    #6
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Only use 4WD when you NEED to (ie. the rear tires are spinning and you are not moving... but never wait until you are stuck to use, use every time you are off pavement to lube the parts, if nothing else)... Now the key is NEEDING TO USE IT, A LOT!

    Have fun!

    See the Mision Santa Maria trip pics link, below...
     
  7. Jul 17, 2011 at 5:39 PM
    #7
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Not stupid question at all, and yes, you can use low range with hubs unlocked. Don't be flooring the gas pedal with it in this mode because of the torque multiplication in low range. You could break things if you are rough on it.

    Used to use "2lo" all the time when I had a truck with manual hubs. Wish my 2nd gen was that simple.
     
  8. Jul 17, 2011 at 7:02 PM
    #8
    kingston73

    kingston73 Well-Known Member

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    WHat year truck do you have? The locked vs not locked is a non-issue if you've got auto-locking hubs. As for never using them on pavement, it's not so much the pavement as the turning, in other words don't use them on the pavement and try to turn with 4x4 engaged. You should use it every now and again just to keep things lubed up, the owners manual recommends doing this so if you have a stretch of straight road or even a big, empty parking lot put things into 4 hi and drive a little. Depending on the model you have you can shift out of 4hi while driving, in mine the drivers side visor has the speeds you can shift into and out of 4wd.
     
  9. Jul 17, 2011 at 7:10 PM
    #9
    Buffco

    Buffco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    See my sig. It's a 99. Manual hubs.

    Are you saying to engage 4HI, but leave the hubs free-wheeling to lube everything?
     
  10. Jul 17, 2011 at 7:20 PM
    #10
    Max-4_Yota

    Max-4_Yota The Welfare Cadilac

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    A good thing to do is get a couple of buddies with a 4wd and get them to show you around and some of the basics. Its alot of fun, just tread lightly and drive easy.
     
  11. Jul 17, 2011 at 7:39 PM
    #11
    Buffco

    Buffco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have no friends, so, yeah.... That's a problem.
     
  12. Jul 17, 2011 at 7:46 PM
    #12
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    This is correct.....;)
     
  13. Jul 17, 2011 at 11:15 PM
    #13
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    I am saying USE your 4WD as much as you can, since you got one... In other words, discover the great outdoors and go four wheeling!:D

    If you don't lock the hubs, then you are not lubing everything!
     
  14. Jul 18, 2011 at 12:57 AM
    #14
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

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