4x4 Issue

Hi all. I've been checking out this website for a while and just signed up. I'm hoping I can get some advice. My truck shifts into 4-High just fine. And it shifts into 4-Low without issues also. But when I try to switch from 4-Low to 4-High, it makes a terrible winding/grinding noise. I've tried letting it make it's noise as it attempts to shift from low to high, but probably for only 10 seconds tops because the noise sounds so bad and I don't want to damage anything. Thankfully it shifts from 4-Low to 2-High so I can get out of 4x4, but something's definitely not right. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Help! Please and thank you.

 

Stupid question but you're not moving when going into 4Lo right?

 

Correct. I'm stationary and in neutral (I've got automatic transmission of that clarifies anything) there's an insert in the driver's side visor with 4x4 instructions and I'm pretty sure I did everything properly on my end.

 

Your not doing this on pavement or hard pack are you?

 

Yes I am. The area I sometimes go off-road starts out as a fine gravel dirt road, then there's a few miles that alternate between really crappy paved roads that haven't been maintained in 20+ years that constantly get beat up by mud trucks, and sections of TRAIL with thick mud. Once the road gets bad I go to 4-High while driving. Once I get to the muddy parts I go to 4-Low, and once I'm out of the mud I go back to 4-High. Except now with the 4-Low to 4-High issue that I'm having I'd have to get to a decent section of road, switch to 2-High, and if need be, go back to either 4-Low or 4-High depending on the need. It's 4-Low to 4-High that makes that nasty grinding noise. I haven't taken it to a mechanic yet, but I might have to take it in.

 

you may need the t-case rebuilt. there should be no noise whatsoever

 

Yeah, I was thinking that myself. It's a used truck. I bought it at 58,000 miles and his only knows what the previous owner might have put it through in the past.

 

yeah that sucks.. but it kinda sounds like it's going the direction of a t-case.. if the motor (that engages the chain) was bad you would probably not hear anything, just silence. in a manual trans, grinding usually results in a "bearings and brass" rebuild. brass meaning the syncronizer rings. i think a t-case operates in a similar way..

 

get it fixed the right way and don't give up on the truck!! lot's of miles left at 58k!

 

Absolutely. I love it lol. Gotta keep her running properly.

 

So, you don't replace the entire transfer case, you do a rebuild? Or is it based on preference?

 

it depends.. you can re-build the one you've got on the truck right now. you can find one that has already been rebuilt by a trans shop (ready to go "on the shelf"). you can find a used one from a junkyard or you can buy a brand new one from toyota! it depends on what's available. be careful looking online.. alot of people put junk in a box and screw people on craigslist.. find a mechanic near you that you trust, pay him enough time to check it out himself and he'll do some looking for you..

 

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, the thought of buying used parts doesn't sit well with me. I'd rather pay extra and get 100% of the life out of it.

 

used isn't neccasarily a deal breaker.. look for lightly used from a scrap yard w/ a decent reputation (as soon as i say that it sounds silly..) remember if the t-case was working fine on a truck right before it got totaled in a wreck it will work fine in your truck too..

 

Right on haha. Happy new year. Thanks for the info.