Putting my 2002 Tacoma in 4 wheel drive (question)

Hi: Whats the CORRECT way to put your 2002 Tacoma (Automatic transmission) into 4 wheel drive.

1. Do I press the 4WD button (which is located on the side of the shifter) "first" and then put it into H4 (from H2)?

2. Does the truck have to been in NEUTRAL or PARK?

3. Does it have to be completely stopped?

4. I have 2 Tacoma trucks and dont use the 4WD very often and sometimes I've heard GRINDING noises, so I am very cautious......I dont want to damage the trans or transfer cases....

5. I've looked into my OWNERS manual but its not really clear....

THANKS for your advice.......

 

If the 4WD button is on the side of the t-case shifter just push the button in and you're in 4WD.

Mine has the button and I don't have a 4H though. Just L4 - N - H.

It looks like this:

 

Going into 4H can be done at any time, well I wouldn't do it going 100mph, but the point is you don't have to be in neutral or stopped. Going into 4L you should be stopped and in neutral. I know some of the Toyotas say you can do it if under 7mph but I prefer to be stopped and in neutral.

 

go into 4H at any speed under 50 miles an hour, you need to stop and put it in nuetral to go into 4lo

 

Mine you have to completely stop just to put it in 4WD high.

 

So correct me pushing the button or using the shifter to H is the same? It's 4L that you need to shift but while stopped and in neutral? Mainly is the push button vs H on the shifter? Same? If so why have H and push button?

 

The H on the shifter just means that it is using the high range gears in the t-case. The button engages the front diff. I don't know if you have to have the button pushed to engage it into 4 low or not, I've never driven the push button 4wd model. On a t-case without the button (J-shift t-case), you have H2-H4-N-L4.

 

The original manual, or more exactly sections, can be found on the Toyota site.

You might as well have the "critical" sections like "Operating Transmission.." handy.

 

Look on the visor. There's instructions there

 

foot off the gas, slam it in, foot back on gas