Steep Incline/ General Off-Roading with Manual Tacoma

I am new to off-roading and my 2019 Tacoma TRD Pro is my first off-roading vehicle. I’ve been recently taking the truck out to some easy trails to get a feel for it.

I’ve only ever owned manual vehicles. Of those vehicles, This is the first with 4wd. I’ve been told many times that using 4wd at all on dry, non slippery surfaces is bad for the drivetrain.

Upon taking it out, i’ve noticed that on steep inclines or even just obstacles that require some momentum, it’s almost impossible to get the truck moving without stalling. This is with the truck in 2wd high range because the surface was not slippery.

Putting the truck in 4-LO solves this problem entirely, Crawling uphill in second and sometimes third gear with no chance of stalling or torturing the clutch.

The reason for my post is no one i’ve talked to, even at the dealership knows whether or not it’s okay to stay in 4-lo for long periods of time using higher gears or should you switch back to high range gearing each and every time. In 4 lo, I can go around 25 mph in 5th gear.

 

I’d not leave it in 4lo if not needed and would definitely not use overdrive gears.

On dry pavement, you can use 4hi, but don’t turn sharply. That binds the drivetrain.

Offroad, use 4WD at will. Hi or Lo, use your best judgement.

Last, you should join an off-road group in your area. Most are good source of info, training, and it’s always good to go with other vehicles off road in case you get a little too brave.

 

Thanks for your reply. I plan on joining a local group that goes out frequently. I was with my brother today who drives an automatic Jeep with 35” tires so he wasn’t much help.

So when off-road and not on pavement, 4 hi or low is fine even if the surface is dry?

Also, as I said i’m new to this. What do you mean by overdrive gears? first and second in 4lo?

 

Yup. Typical off road, you’re on dirt. Which has give. As long as the surface has some give (dirt, gravel, snow, etc), you’re fine.

 

I stay in 4 lo in 4x4 vehicles the entire time I am off road.

That said i just don't get the vehicle above 30mph so that's easier said for me.

Uphill on steep climb is one of the few off road scenarios where I hate MT.

The risk of burning your 4 low drive train is low compared to vs. Burning your clutch..... That is the reason I stay in low

 

I’ve spent 3 days in 4Lo. Not MT, but same transfer case.

It’s designed to handle whatever you throw at it.

 

I off road a lot in my mt tacoma and 4low is on most of the time it's easier on the truck .slow and steady

 

This is why many that actually offroad with larger tires (especially rock crawlers and folks with steep incline/declines), will re-gear.
But as mentioned above, 4 low won't hurt, so long as you're not on pavement.

 

5th and 6th are the overdrive gears. You shouldn't need them in low range and if you feel that you need 5th or 6th because the revs are high and you are not going fast enough, then switch to high range 4x4, 3rd or 4th gear.

 

Thanks for your reply. I found that there is little information on off-roading with a manual transmission which I find odd considering how many manual jeeps are sold.

My last outing I stayed in 4-lo the whole time and found it much more enjoyable. Even getting over small bumps with no momentum in high range gearing was murder on the clutch.

 

Lots of folks here haven't looked at important parts of the owners manual:



Of course, no one is really going to be redlining 4Lo in 6th, but you certainly have that capability. The most stress on the driveline is 4Lo and 1st gear.

If you are on dirt, you can safety be in 4wd. If you are doing tight turns on dirt and feel bind, pop it back into 2Hi.


Also, it is completely safe to drive on dry road in 4Hi or 4Lo as long as you are driving straight.

 

I didn't even think to look in the owners manual. I guess TW has made me lazy LOL.

 

No problem.

Get back out there and enjoy 4Lo.

 

I believe you’re saying you’d like to use 4Low off road? Totally fine if off pavement. If you’re talking about on road, in situations like towing out a boat or towing a heavy load slowly on steep San Francisco streets, check out the 2Low mod. I did that and also regeared for my bigger tires.

 

4 YO thread, back from the dead