Trail technique for you 2nd Gen guys

I have a 2009 AC Tacoma, 5 speed.

Normally offroad the trails are rocky or you have to be cautious not to put the truck in unwanted places. The 4L doesn't always like to engage when I turn the dial (my least favourite part about the truck, I wish it was a manual selector). I usually roll around in 2nd or 3rd, 4L off road because I find the gearing is better than lugging the shit out of it in first 4H/2WD.

My question is;

Is riding around in 4L that often (weekend worrier at best) going to cause unwanted wear on my 4WD components?


Might as well add a picture for the full effect!

 

If anything, using the 4lo is better. So long as you aren't in a binding situation and allow the drivetrain to slip when needed you should be fine.

 

That's what I thought. But I figured I should get some more experienced opinions.

 

I find that when I'm creeping up hills and whatnot 1st, 4L is plenty slow for me not to need to ride the clutch a shit ton. I try to avoid so I'm not stuck in the middle of the bush with a burnt out clutch

 

On a trail in tight spots, inclined / off camber I am in 4L 1st 90% of the time. I think using the 4L helps keep the system lubed up so it engages better next time.

 

no it won't hurt it. and you are supposed to use the 4 wheel-drive every month for a few miles

 

I never thought about that!

Yeah, my father used to take his Tundra (street jeep) to dirt roads every once and awhile and take a tour down it in 4WD, I just wasn't sure if being in it for extended periods of time was bad!!

Thanks for your help guys!
Saves me from thinking about it in the trail, "am I doing damage right now"

 

If you can't honestly call where you are driving at least a gravel road you should be in low range 4WD.

 

Yup... We've got a long straight gravel road close and I'll go out every month or so and run it in 4WD just to keep everything lubed and in good working order. I think it's good to do this and mine engages after the second or third blink on the dash each time.

 

Cool! Very reassuring! thanks a lot

 

Clutch in while turning the knob? Mine goes right into "Low" with the clutch in.

This does raise questions though. I have always used 4H for pretty much any 4WD situation, and I really only use 4L once in a while to make sure it still engages. My use of 4WD is basically on rough gravel, dirt and muddy dirt roads, very light off road stuff such as wide quad track, abandoned / rocky / rutted overgrown roads; all of which feels like 4L is "too much" and 4H is about right. I realize this is far from "offroad" and I'm not "crawling" in these situations, except as needed for obstacles. Normal speed maybe 20-40.

So you (the collective) are saying it's better / less wear / more advantageous to run 4L in a higher gear for this type of stuff? Or are you saying in a hardcore off road setting it's more efficient to have the truck in 4L in 2nd or 3rd gear? If I never use 4L but use 4H with some regularity, am I still lubricating the entire system?

 

Most of the time when I'm down the trail I'm going under ten (KM/hour). I would be in 4H if I could reach speeds of 20-40 as well. From what I've gathered from these guys is that as long as you throw it in now and again you'll be fine.

Always have the clutch in, Sometimes I need to roll the truck slightly to get it to go in. I hate how fussy it is.

 

I hear what you're saying about not having a 4Lo shift lever. I had a '93 Access Cab, 5sp. 4wd shift lever with the ADD hubs. Anyway my '14 TRD OR has the dial and I was told by a friend that if I push the clutch pedal to the floor plus a little more, it will go into 4wd & 4Lo with greater success. And it has worked out well.

HTH

Steve

 

Ill try that next time I'm in the truck for sure!