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Won't stay in 4 Hi

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by VTmc, Jan 12, 2010.

  1. Jan 12, 2010 at 8:11 PM
    #1
    VTmc

    VTmc [OP] Member

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    Burlington, VT
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    5" lift
    Again, looking to TC for the answers to all of life's questions!

    So I've only been sketched out about a DOZEN times or so this winter by this...My dearest taco won't stay in 4 Hi. Sometimes it does, but for the majority of times so far, I'll be heading down the road or highway in shitty conditions and realize that I'm no longer in 4 wheel. Sometimes I notice it pops out when I hit a bump and others, it seems to just "slip" out quietly. Sometimes it seems to stay in without any issue and other times i have to constantly put it back into 4 wheel. I'm now starting to pull my hair out at the fact that when I need 4 wheel, I need to travel with my right hand holding it in 4 hi, hoping it doesn't pop out during the second i have to remove my hand to shift gears.

    Thoughts?? I tried searching through threads but to no avail (I'm sure I missed something related to this).

    Thanks Everyone!

    Btw I'm lovin' my new DynaPro ATM's over the Nitto Grapplers.
     
  2. Mar 5, 2013 at 12:43 PM
    #2
    timbothemonster

    timbothemonster New Member

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    Tim
    Upstate, NY
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    '95 Taco 4X4 & '07 FJ 4X4
    3" lift; bigger tires; mild
    bump...
    Any thoughts here? Linkage? Etc? Truck will stay in 4LO no issues...have to hold her into 4HI..will come out regardless of clutch position and fairly often at this point. Appreciate any insight
     
  3. Mar 5, 2013 at 1:24 PM
    #3
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

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    My guess would be a wore out transfer case shift fork .
    The shift forks are made of alluminum and are a constant wear item .
    If the transfer case has ever run low on fluid , the shift fork would then have no lubrication and would wear against the shift hub .
    Thats the most common problem .
    The second most common problem is a broken detent spring in the shift rail .
    If the spring breaks , every time you take your foot off the accelerator , the transfer case gearing would thrust in the opposite direction which in turn would cause the jump out of 4 high .
    Tough to diagnose over a keyboard .
     
  4. Mar 5, 2013 at 7:55 PM
    #4
    VTmc

    VTmc [OP] Member

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    Since my original post, I cracked my tranny case and swapped it with a used one, including the transfer and I still have the same problem with it not staying in 4. What are the chances it could be a worn out shift fork in two different trannys?? The second had less than 90k when I put it in.
    My newest theory revolves around my body lift, the "new" angle causing the transfer shifter to hit the backside of the body cavity (unsure of proper terms!), resulting in it either not fully engaging or being knocked out with the movement of the truck. She has a two inch suspension and three inch body lift. Any thoughts? I've got my fingers in there and it seems tight but I'm not convinced.
     
  5. Mar 5, 2013 at 8:01 PM
    #5
    VTmc

    VTmc [OP] Member

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    Also meant to mention that my opinion has changed on the dynapro's, they slip on wet grass and are shit in the snow.
     
  6. Mar 6, 2013 at 7:20 AM
    #6
    bellassaiw10

    bellassaiw10 Formally afroman5015

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    I've got a 3" bl and mine is kinda tight but it never comes out.... How easily does it go into 4H ? Could be worn out forks in both though but sounds like something else maybe gear wear ?
     
  7. Mar 6, 2013 at 8:07 AM
    #7
    mmcmahan2206

    mmcmahan2206 Well-Known Member

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    I've also got a 3" BL, so I've extended both shifters, and I pop out of 4WD as well. I think it pops out just because of the extended length of the shafts... for me anyways. :eek:
     
  8. Mar 6, 2013 at 8:22 AM
    #8
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    A 3-inch body lift is a real bad idea to begin with. The shift levers coming into contact with the body is only one problem. You could also have worn motor mounts which would add to the motion of the tranny-tcase.

    Possible solutions:
    remove/reduce body lift
    replace bad motor mount
    cut out some material on the floor pan near the shift levers
     
  9. Mar 6, 2013 at 9:44 AM
    #9
    mmcmahan2206

    mmcmahan2206 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah... I've done your option 3 there. I don't know if the OP has a BL or not.
     
  10. Mar 6, 2013 at 8:32 PM
    #10
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

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    TRD Sport Rally -5 speed automatic Limited ,Factory heated leather seats ,chrome package,Super white with front windows tinted to 35 % Dick Cepek DC-2 wheels Summer tires - Good year silent armor P265/65R17 Winter tires - Good year P265/65R17 Ultra Ice studded Illuminated 4x4 switch TRD 3rd brake light cover ($20) TRD seat belt shoulder protectors (5). ($50) TRD ...B pillar emblems ($20) TRD rear slider sticker with devil horns ( $6) TRD summer floor matts ($60) TRD steering wheel emblem ($20) TRD floor pedals .($95) TRD shorty antenna ($14) TRD front Windshield emblems ($17) TRD head pillows .($60) TRD head rest protectors TRD door scuff protection $20 TRD floor matt emblems ($40) TRD tow plug emblem . ($40) TRD cigarette lighter with LED.($35) TRD tissue dispenser ($12) TRD front bezel emblems ($9) TRD door emblems ($6) TRD lanyards($9) TRD lisence plates with TRD bolts($50) TRD fender emblems TRD center caps Part Number:PT904-35070-CC ($80) TRD cd
    Considering the new information posted regarding this being the second transmission with the same issue , I would have to agree that this problem is directly related to the lift kit .
     
  11. Mar 7, 2013 at 1:00 AM
    #11
    stumpjumper509

    stumpjumper509 Well-Known Member

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    op you also stated that you use 4hi on the highway... not good at all. might be why u cracked ur transfer case. try to keep it under 50 in 4wd. if its bad enough ouside to be in 4wd, you probly shouldbt be goin very fast... imo
     

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