Proper use of 4wd

Thanks to all who straightened me out regarding the "auto self locking" hubs
I swear that's what they have been called. In any case I appreciate getting the straight scoop.

 

are you suppose to switch out of 4WD to turn while driivng ?

 

Yes. During slow, sharp turns. Cornering in icy conditions is okay.

 

Agree.

When turning, the front and rear wheels travel different distances. Since they are linked together through the transfer case, something must give. Some vehicles (all wheel drive) have transfer cases with a center differential to provide that give. Tacomas do not. If you turn sharp on a surface that does not allow the tires to slip and spin a little bit, you put tremendous load on the transfer case, driveshafts, U joints, CV joints, etc. It can break things.

I don't know much about ice and snow. (CA native) I'd imagine if the conditions have you using 4WD to get moving from a standstill, it's probably safe to turn corners in 4WD. I know that a heavy rain isn't enough slippage.

 

thanks good to know mostly driving in snow conditions

 

If the roads are icy and snowy there is no issue with turning in 4wd. I'm using it 6 months out of the year and don't worry about taking it out of 4wd unless I'm driving on dry road.

 

If you don't.... the truck may start to buck, won't move.... It'll let you know why.

In fact, any situation or conditions that you are in 4WD and the truck starts to buck, won't move, won't turn... DO NOT FORCE IT. STOP what you're doing...try to get it out of 4WD. Chances are, you won't be able to get it out of 4WD because the driveline is binding. You have to switch it out of 4WD and easily rock the truck in reverse & forward and/or turn the wheels back & forth until you know its out of 4WD.

 

Question: I have a 2019 TRD Off Road. It is a manual transmission. I was in Nuetral coming down a hill and switched from 4WD to 2WD. Because this doesn’t happen instantly, I was forced to turn a light radius turn on dry pavement. The truck disengaged from 4WD, but did so with more of a clunk than I am comfortable with. It wasn’t major, but a clunk nonetheless. Does this type of situation warrant any concern? I want to be very careful with my vehicle, but reality is sometimes different than optimal for engaging and disengaging 4WD. Thank you.

 

No you're fine. Was likely the add tube bound up a bit. Mine dose a good thunk every now and then in a similar situation. 234k here. You're fine.

 

Add tube? What the heck is that?

 

The add is like a spline slip shaft. The tube slides over the shaft to lock the spines



ADD switch slides the sleeve to the left and locks the shaft together

 

So the clunk is the sleeve freeing up the front and rear drive shafts. Does it hurt the splines when this clunk occurs?

 

It's the front two wheels disconnecting from themselves. Not the transfer case disconnecting.

Nothing is hurt by this.

 

Hi range 4wd doesn't have a speed limit so why would it matter if your hubs are locked but not 4wd engaged?

 

My understanding of manual hubs and 4x4, only engage hubs if needed and shifting the transfer case in low spd or at a stand still. I only shift at a stand still.

 

less rotating mass and wear on cv boots. But that's it. I ran my hubs locked pretty much year round when I had manual hubs in my old 86.

You should never shift into low range while moving if you can help it.

High range you can shift into while going up to 55mph per Toyota. I do it at 65 all the time in the winter though. I just try not to be on the gas.