3rd gen Locking front hubs?

Just checking in, still in interested

 

Sorry to resurrect your post from 6 years ago! Awesome link thank you! Can you explain why they recommend against underlift towing with the front wheels on the ground? I can’t wrap my head around how that’s different than when the truck is pushing itself down the road in 2WD with those forks disengaged.

Thanks!

 

Good question on the towing, I have no idea.

 

I understand your quandary, but perhaps it is not a warning to a well-informed driver/owner, but the tow truck driver. The tow truck driver gets to your location and listens to your story as to what is wrong, and you forget to tell him the vehicle was in 4WD when the failure occurred. The driver tows it with the front wheels down and the rest of the drivetrain takes a major hit. The tow company may be liable. Just self-preservation for Toyota and the Tow Company. An all-inclusive warning by Toyota as to what to do is easier than a "what-if, then do this" statement(s).

There may be other reasons. The real world often changes from theoretical.

 

I just seems weird, I know on some of the Fords, the default mode is locked in IE the vacuum keeps the hubs disengaged so with out the engine running producing vacuum the hubs are engaged, but with this system nothing us wearing unnecessary. It also explains why they recommend driving in 4x4 once a month, it's to throw some oil around in the gearbox and diff.

 

If you mean Transfer Case when you say "gearbox" it is constantly turning and self-lubricating while in 2HI. Same for the front differential, oil is constantly being churned up by the left front axle turning the diff side gear and the spider gears. The activation mechanisms in both the Transfer Case and the Front Differential is what needs exercising and testing so you know it will work when needed.