Odd noise when going into 4 lo

I just picked up this truck a couple of weeks ago. 2021 SR5. Been reading the manual and decided to try 4 lo for the first time. Did as the manual said to do, stopped the truck, put it in neutral, foot on the brake, switched from 4 high to 4 lo. The transfer case made a short almost grinding sound, with a small clunk, then it engaged. No warning beeps or anything. Does this sound normal or should I take it back to the dealer?

 

Doesn't sound normal. Might be low on fluid? Doesn't sound like it's engaging right, either way, unless you open it up yourself and diagnose the damage (thus probably voiding your warranty) I bet you'll have a hard time getting the dealer to investigate it fully.

 

Hold on, don't listen to Gunthor. It ain't low on fluid! It might just be a little new truck stiffness. Exercise it in and out of 4WD a few times before you start the panic sweats. And I would make sure that it is solidly in 4 high and then stop and engage 4 low per the process you did before.

 

Does this happen every single time or was it just that first try?

 

I'm guessing you bought this used?
How many miles on it? It's possible the previous owner never engaged 4wd so what @Buck Henry said sounds logical.
you ever do any mobility exercises before lifting? Get that fluid moving and warmed up.

 

Frankly the system is wanky basically use it or loose it they need to be excessed don't wait until you need it. Despite what some say out on the road no problem to engage it it won't explode but only in high range.

 

^^^This^^^
Exercise the system in 4H a couple of times per month for a few miles if you can. A good time is a nice rainy day on a straight road. The first switch to 4L on my truck is always more noisy and drama ("clunk" noise) in and out than 2H to 4H. It's also a bit smoother with less noise and clunking if 4H has been previously engaged for a few miles. 2H to 4H is fairly quiet and nice and smooth.

FWIW: I have never engaged 4L without being fully stopped in Neutral... in my driveway. The truck is ten years old now and I don't trust experimenting with it when I'm miles from home or the nearest paved road out in the boondocks.

When I do test it, the second and third switch back and forth are much quieter and smoother than the first.

I have only needed it once (4L): At the end of my driveway to power through the 2.5' foot barrier of "wet cement" snow pile the snow left behind.

 

This was the first try. Heard the noise, freaked out, put it back in 2wd and posted on here lol

 

4 high turns the stuff at normal driving speed so out on the road it's no problem. Switch it out before things like parking lots. My drive is a 1/4 mile long, I'm in Maine and have a plow rig on my truck. I push snow all 1/4 mile of it in low range and don't try to launch it into the woods slow and steady it's a lot easer on the taco than 30MPH.

 

All sounds normal to me.

 

Yeah I bought it used. It has about 30,000 miles on it. I'll try it a few more times, maybe it'll calm down lol

 

Mine clunks into 4Lo often….
I wouldnt worry about it…
Is it truly grinding? Or just a clicky clacky clunk?

 

I tend to engage not on the brake or lightly on if the situation requires it. I find locking up the brake can bind up the system a touch and you can get more of a grind and clunk rather than just a small click if the system is completely unloaded.

 

Yeah it's more like a clickity clacky clunk before it engages. Guess I'm just not used to it, my last 4wd vehicle was a jeep wrangler, and it still had the gear stick on the floor to put it in 4lo, it never made any noises at all. Still much rather have a Taco though lol. I'd never get a Wrangler again.

 

You think your "clicking clacity clunk" sound is scary, wait until you use crawl control for the first time.

PS- never mind, see you have an SR5 trim level.

 

Thats normal if your engine is at a fast idle(cold).

 

Well I drove around in 4 high for a few mins today and put it in 4lo again. Much quieter this time, just a small click before it engaged. Guessing maybe it was the first time it's been in 4lo.

 

Same here is noticed when I engaged to 4l for the first time in a while it while make that unpleasant sound after I do engage it again I don't hear the voice again. It's only done it once hope it's just a mater of it needing breaking in

 

Hopefully it doesn't make the same noises that this puppy makes in the MudRunner game.....

 

It takes time and practice to play with any Toyota's how to make things work like their remote start and 4Lo. Once you are familiar with the way they work you will be ok. I was at first.
I also put my truck into 4hi 10 miles and 4low 1 mile a month in the summer just to keep it lubricated.