Hi, new to tacoma(world) got few question to the taco owners.

Hi, like the title say, I am excited new owner of Tacoma.
I just bought a used 4x4 Tacoma TRD off road (crew cab). It's my 1st truck ever. So I had some questions. I am sure most if not all of these questions were answered at one point, but I can't seem to find a clear answer to any of it. :/ I guess it's a noob in me. I am sorry.

1) what's the difference between 4WD-L and High? I get what it does, but what is it for?

2) How deep of water could I drive in? I saw the diff breather mod, and ordered the parts for it (coming soon). However, I don't fully understand the mod. I get that it will prevent water from getting in to your axle (I THINK), but isn't the real dangers of driving in water the fact that it will go in your muffler/intake? I am going to do this mod, regardless of it, because everyone is saying that it should be the 1st thing I should do to it. Just wondering.
TL;DL: how deep of water could I drive my truck after I do diff breather mod?

3) While I am doing the diff breather mod, should I mod any other breathers? I read somewhere here, saying that you don't have to mod the front ones, because they are already high up. And then I read somewhere else saying there's another breather that needs to be raised up. I am so confused.

I am not planning on driving the truck into the river, but my neighborhood does have lot of floods in summer time. Just wanted to know for "just in case"

4) Any other "must do mods"?

5) Do you guys call your trucks taco-truck? because I do :/

Thanks! sorry for the long post.

 

read the owners manual.

 

I'm no gearhead, but as far as Hi-4 and Lo-4, there should be a little card in the driver's side sunvisor. And I would definitely recommend reading the owner's manual. But basically the skinny is that you wanna use hi-4 when conditions are pretty crappy and lo-4 when shit is real bad and you aren't going fast...haha other guys on the forum can give you much better advice than I can about that though.
My car's name is Lavender...she's a beauty. hahaha

 

Welcome aboard @nierro
So here's what I can offer:
1) 4hi is for engaging your 4wd at higher speeds where the extra traction is needed- say snow or mud. 4lo is for lower speeds- basically if you're really stuck somewhere and need the extra torque and all 4 wheels to get out, you should be in 4lo. I believe your owner's manual will actually tell you the speed limits in each (I don't remember off-hand). But think of 4lo as your "crawl" mode and you should prevent damage. Also as an FYI, try to drive in 4wd (hi or lo) at least once a month to keep all the moving parts lubed and operating properly.
2) Deep water is tricky for several reasons. After the diff breather is done, you're still not exactly immune to deep water so be careful. Also be aware of what is hiding beneath the surface of the water. Rocks, logs and other debris can ruin your day pretty quickly and do some damage to your undercarriage. As long as you keep your car running, there shouldn't be a reason why water would get "sucked" into your exhaust (unless you have bad valve springs or seals- but that's another lesson) since it is constantly exhaling but perhaps someone with better experience could correct me if I'm wrong on that. Your stock intake is in your passenger side fender just above the wheel arch- so if you're in water that deep you have bigger problems as well. That means your truck is submerged above the lower door line and you are probably getting water in the cab as well as risking your electronics (fuse panel, engine connections, etc.) getting FUBAR.
3) I also read about a transmission breather that is hidden up high in the trans tunnel, but for the life of me I couldn't find it. Read here for more info:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ny-transfer-case-and-e-locker-breather.15093/
Once you have done the rear diff breather mod, you should be fine in water up to at least the hubs. Just don't think you are invincible. Other than that, I would say use common sense and know the limitations of your truck as well as your driving ability. Some people are way too confident in their machines or abilities and those are the people that we see on the news getting air lifted out of their drowning Priuses during a storm.
4) "must do" depends on what your intentions are for your truck. Look around the site for inspiration and things that would make your truck your own, but also ask why would you absolutely "need" them. Use your money wisely and buy/build it right the first time and you'll be a happy camper.
5) I do not call it a taco truck. That is reserved for the delicious offerings of east LA after the bars are all closed up and I got a hankering for something tasty.

I hope this helps. I can assure you that TW is a great community and we are all here to help each other. (Most of us anyway). With that being said, don't be afraid to use the "search" function. It often works better if you use google and type in say: "breather mod, tacomaworld" There's a metric shit ton of information on here that can point you in the right direction and often times people are just too lazy or overwhelmed to search for themselves. Blindly asking a question opens you up to all sorts of useless responses and keyboard warrior alike. People forget that we were all new once too and needed help at one point or another.

 

4HI is for shutting up the front diff bearing from growling.

 

Welcome to TW! As you can see, as with all sites, we have our winners and we have our not-so-winners.

Hopefully @GHOST SHIP 's awesome response gave you what you were looking for. If not, let us know.

Post up some pictures!

 

Yeah! lets see your toy!

 

With all of your concern with driving in water, are you preparing for global warming?

 

I'd say this a little differently. Four-wheel drive (in general) is for when you are on a surface that is slippery. So as GHOST SHIP says, snow or mud or ice. But not for example pavement that's just wet. If you can't jab the brakes and make the ABS rattle, you don't want to be in 4wd. The 4wd will fight with sticky surfaces and could actually damage your drivetrain.

Four high is what you will most likely ever use. Four low is almost exclusively for offroad. The only example I can think of where I'd use 4low on an regular road would be if I was trying to pull somebody out of the ditch. 4lo for crawling over serious chunk and/or steep climbing/descending. And by steep I mean far steeper than anything you'll find on a regular road/highway.

Also, regarding being stuck: Those of us who grew up in the upper midwest know that the gear to use is counter-intuitive. Back in the 70's when I learned to drive 4-wheel-drives were quite rare. We knew that if you needed to get moving when you're stuck in slippery snow (or mud) is the highest gear that can work. With a manual, you lug it out. Second gear. If that's spinning, try third. Lug. Low RPM. Just enough throttle and no more. Shift down and it'll just spin easier.

Four low is a big huge downshift. With an automatic, you can't force it to start in 2nd gear, but you can choose four high over four low.

For snow newbies, keep this in mind. If you're stuck and your wheels start to slip, what you don't want is to just throw more throttle at it. If you can upshift to second (manual) try that. Low, low throttle. If nothing works, get out, look at what's keeping you stuck, and think. Don't be that guy who's cursing and swearing and red-lining your truck. That's only useful for getting youtube videos ridiculing you posted on the interwebs.

If you need to ask what 4lo is for, you will probably never use it (or shouldn't).

 

The only time I have ever had to use 4LO, and it was in a Tahoe, was pulling my boat out a muddy ass boat launch during the middle of duck season. 4HI kept spinning, 4LO and slow and she crept on out.

 

I am kinda sad that I am the only one that calls my truck a Taco. I guess I should give it a proper name too

OMG Thanks Ghost ship! you've answered all my questions in such detail. I tried searching too, but like you've said, there's this ton of info. I couldn't find the needle in the hay. haha But omg thank YOU!

LOL, nah. but then again. It's "winter", but it's 80 degrees here. I am concerned because I live in Houston. where Global warming is already a thing (apparently)

What's this "snow" you guys keep mentioning. I live in Houston Texas (I kid)
Thank you, I kinda was thinking that, but wasn't too sure.

Thank you so much guys. For answering all my questions! I have one more question tho. I was driving the truck in 4WD-high during the test drive. All was good, but when i took a turn, the truck was rattling and won't move. When I put it back on RWD, it was back to normal. is THAT normal?

Here's the picture of my Taco taken yesterday, after I've installed the side step rails.


Thank you everyone for your help!

 

That is absolutely normal. That's what I meant by it fighting with sticky surfaces. 4wd forces your paired wheels to turn at the same speed. When turning, the outside front (the left if you're turning right) needs to roll faster than the one on the inside. It binds up, can kind of hop, you might hear the tires barking a little... That binding is a bunch of stress on all the u-joints and other magic that makes trucks work. You can damage stuff by doing this.

Even when you're actually four-wheeling on gravelly, rocky surfaces tight turns are tough. The truck doesn't want to do it.

Four wheel drive is only recommended (and useful) in situations where your tires can slip.

 

I got you. Thank Tom!!!!