Keeping 4wd healthy - regular use of 4WD

The transfer case out put shaft does indeed turn or the truck would not move. The planetary's do not the chain does not nor does the front drive shaft only the main shaft no gears or hubs it also is the highest point in the transfer case all the more reason it turn the rest regularly by using 4WD. If you disconnect one axle the spider gears will spin but the ring gear or carrier will not move snap an axle and you'll find out. It does not matter what side you disconnect. A locker or limited slip will but not an open diff.

 

I thought I read in the manual for my 2010 that Toyota recommended you periodically engage and exercise 4WD, but I could be wrong. May have read it on TW... Anyhow, I switch it on at least once a month. Fortunately, I live on a dirt road so I don't have to wait for rain.

 

Add?

 

Automatic Differential Disconnect

Essentially a sleeve on the pasenger side of the front diff that disconnects the CV from the diff so things can "free spin"

 

That reminds me, when this hurricane hits I'm going all out 4 wheel drive baby.......balls to the wall! But seriously though I need to do this a little more regularly. Although a snorkel and rear diff breather mod sure does sound like a winner right about now.

 

I kind of disagree with that when you have aftermarket people building parts to repair axle support bearings. Toyota replaced the entire front drive on mine at 30K. Yes no doubt there is some oil movement but what really moves oil is the ring gear the spiders are fairly high in the case. Frankly that is one of my biggest complaint with my Tacoma it is a design they picked up from GM, GM has it's issues with their ADD also it was all about the money. Toyota thinks it's a good ideal to spin all of that stuff or they would not tell you to use your 4WD for at least 10 miles every month right in every owners manual.

 

Not saying your wrong , just saying it's been my experience on my own truck & issues others had (2nd gens)

That when a failed engagement took place more often than not it was an electrical issue, when I first got my truck it was show room clean pretty much & don't think the elocker had ever been used & took a few times & some time for it to engage, now it'll engage at a stand still, no hesitations...

 

interesting, outside of deep snow I never engage.

i'd say maybe 2-3 times a year during the winter months

maybe I engage more often?

 

Are you talking about needle bearing problems ? Thats totaly different issue. If you want to drive for 10 miles a month that's great but there is no need for it.
Toyota tells people to do it because its easier than explaining you need to exercise this couple times. and drive for 50 -60 feet each time to make sure oil gets on all sliding surfaces. So 10 mile a month is their easy way out to get you to engage. But there is no need to drive long distance to get 4wd to exercise. If you engage and disengage and drive for small distance in each thats all you need.
I use my 4wd often and in winter I use my 4wd every day, multiple times a day.
9 years and no problems, and my 4wd will engage even when truck is standing because system is well lubricated.
Same with 4L. I can flip switch and system engages nice and quietly.
Here is a picture from FSM of transfer case with oil pump.

 

Since we're on the topic of 4WD, what's everyone's technique of flipping through the various traction systems to get yourself out of a low traction situation, especially those in a TRD OR?

I'm guessing first try 4 HI, then 4 LO, then ATRAC, then as a last resort lock the rear differential?

How often do you (or should you) actually use DAC? Anddddd when should you turn off the auto LSD?

I'd just like to hear some feedback from guys that have experience using these systems. Back when I had my '87 22R pickup, it was lock the hubs and give it a go in 4Hi/Lo and if it didn't move you were stuck. I'm still trying to get acquainted with all of these awesome features of the TRD OR.

 

Hey guys... Can someone explain to me what the rear diff lock is and tell me if I have one? 2014 DC 4x4. I do put it in and out of 4H a couple times a summer launching a boat. And it gets used often in the winter snows. But in the year that I've had the truck I've never put it in 4L (or engaged a diff lock). This thread has me spooked! Can someone tell me explicitly the process I should walk the truck through to get everything lubed up? Much appreciated. I'm hoping I haven't already gone the use it or lose it route.

 

To my knowledge only the TRD Off Road package includes the differential locker. Also you would have this button.

 

No actually we were talking about the front diff. Toyota transfer case over the years have been pretty bullet proof. With my 80, 89,04 and 97 I just left the hubs locked in the winter and shifted the case in and out. I don't believe actuating the ADD does a damn thing for the front diff it needs to move.

 

I "exercise" mine about maybe twice a day on average. Even on the full time 4x4 4Runner I'm currently driving, I still lock in 4H & 4L. I could be wrong but, seems I remember Toyota used (maybe pre Tacoma) to state in the owners manual to even drive on wet pavement if that was all that was available. I forget the milage but, was thinking something like 15 miles a month...

 

Hmmm, mine works pretty good. Sometimes it gets stuck but with a little skinny pedal and just a slight turn off the wheel and it locks.
Maybe your wheel is to turned to one side.

 

Good discussion. I live on a dirt road and have can get to an easy 20 minute drive over the dirt roads around the lake...so there is no problem execcissing the 4 wd system. The only problem I have ever had with a Toyota drive train, was from lack of use and sticking when they were finally engaged. This is why I will go back to a 2 wd truck and and AWD car when I move back to the city. Even in the winter time truck based 4 wd limited value on tarred roads that ain't completely snow covered. The off road people will always prefer Tacoma's. But the the Taco will loose sales to the auto 4 wd equipped Colorado for the townies....even if the Colorado is a piece of shit.

 

Problem there is when that "stuck" moment occurs you may already be in a rut where skinny pedal & slight turning isn't really an option (this has happened to me once).. But generally the more you use it the better engagement gets, mine will lock at a stand still now...

 

I just went out and drove in 4wd for a bit. Then tried to put it in 4L and it wouldn't engage. After about 10 attempts it finally went. I'll do it more often from now on. Thanks guys.

 

Yes.