4WD hi questions and basic info

There's been several threads lately about 4WD and i think some info would be helpful for everyone... Myself included.

First... The thread about accidentally engaging 4hi while driving, when you meant to turn on the AC/heat...

Can 4wd actually engage in drive? Or does it need to be in neutral? What about when going 35+ mph?

What damage can be done from switching the 4wd selector at higher speeds while driving?

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2nd... Driving on pavement in 4wd high...

I have read multiple conflicting things... Some say 4hi is fine on pavement and some say it is not.. I have read about some people using 4hi when towing/pulling a boat on pavement and so on... Then some say only use it on pavement when it's raining... Then some say NEVER use it on pavement...


So what's the real truth about all this? I understand 4Lo well enough, but could use some info on 4hi...

I live on sandy dirt roads and off-road often but never really use 4hi... Either 2wd or 4lo.

 

All this is covered well in your manual.

 

I didn't really want/need 4WD, but I'm glad I have it?

 

That was extremely helpful, thank you for dedicating your valuable time to reply with such wonderful information.

 

I need and want 4wd, but also glad i have it lol

Though i can normally navigate off road trails with just 2wd, when it gets too thick i normally just switch to 4lo and go slow until i hit packed sand and then go back into 2wd.

 

Pgs 244-247...

 

Your truck will make binding noises if it doesn't like what you are doing. If you try to engage above 62 it'll blink and not engage. I already forgot your other questions. Maybe someone else can take over.

 

Yes you can switch to 4hi on the move and its fine. You have to be in neutral and stopped to switch to 4lo.

Yes you can drive in 4hi on pavement. Avoid sharp turns in high traction scenarios. The front driveshaft is locked to the rear driveshaft so its gonna bind if thats not easily maintained.

Do not switch to 4hi if the rear wheels are spinning and the front are not. I.e. getting stuck in the mud. You do not want to flick it into 4hi while staying on the gas. You need the front and rear wheels to be spinning the same speed (or not spinning at all) to switch to 4hi.

 

I had same. Yes you can engage 4hi while drving. Its fine as long as its under 50mph or so but high speeds can mess it up. Also pavement driving is fine in straight runs wjere your not turning but damage can acure otherwise cause its meant for slippery terrain not grippy pavement. I turn mine on on mile long straight aways to keep geers lubed

 

^^ this pretty much covers it.

Put it in 4 hi on pavement and then attempt to make a turn. You'll immediately start to feel it bind and one of the front tires might "jog" a bit. I often have this happen after getting out of a field and turning back into a hiway. I simply forget to go back to 2wd.

No biggie, I immediately straighten out the wheel and disengage. But doing this repeatedly and/or forcing through a turn can damage/break expensive things.

In the winter with scattered ice/snow on the interstate, I'll use 4hi continuously. You can't realistically go in and out of 4hi at highway speed every time you hit a patch of ice. In this case, there aren't sharp enough turns to cause binding.

Some argue this is hard on components over time. But I did it on my '98 for 15 years without a problem. And on my '14 for 4 years without a problem. For me it's a risk-reward scenario. It's much safer to drive in 4wd in winter conditions. Ever had a rear end kick out on you at 60mph? Not fun. So I just use 4wd and don't have a problem.

I get hollered on the forum-- you shouldn't be driving that fast on snow/ice!! Well, that's the norm up here in the upper Midwest. Obviously not bumper to bumper traffic. But in general, yeah driving hiway speeds in the winter is "normal" up here.

 

I'm with you buddy.... winter driving on Hwy in slippery conditions....Around here the left lane is usually got snow/slush and the right lane bare and wet with salt brine AND slower drivers....I'm good in the R lane in 2WD, but to pass, I hit 4HI...watch to make sure she's engaged and then I move into the 5" of snow and wet slush in the L lane.... slowly pass and turn her off again..!!

Love it.... Some times that left lane has not seen a plow or another track and can be a foot deep....!!

 

Glad I could help. Let me know if you have any questions after you learn the basics from the manual.

 

Good thread.

Alot guys running 4x4 new to the game and not sure of it's capabilities, uses or do nots.

 

seriously. awfully big purchase to not even bother to read basic operation manual. terrible operators out there today.

 

I love talking 4x4 with guys new to Tacomas or 4wd in general. Happy to help answer questions.

 

Why not keep it in 4hi and bust thru in the left lane? As long as it's mainly straight and snow on the roads... You'll be fine keeping it on. Fuel mileage doesn't really suffer all that much if you aren't continually stopping and going.

 

I switch to 4-hi on the fly ~10-20mph every day on my dirt ROW.

It has a steep hill so 4WD is better to prevent spins... it's also super washboarded so I'm only going 5-10mph up the hill.
Unless I am hooning .

I would not drive on the road in 4-hi, too much binding around turns. I would go 4-hi in the snow, but be careful about turns.

 

No need to be in the left lane after passing .... AND better traction and mileage out of the snow/slush..!!

 

From pg 247 of the Manual:

The on thing that I am not clear on and I can't find in the manual is, when the 4WD indicator goes out, does that mean also the the front hubs are disengaged? Previous 4x4's I've owned you always had to drive X ft in the opposite direction to disengage the hubs.

 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to explain things. I do appreciate your kind help.

I understand lots of stuff is most likely in the manual... But it's not exactly fun to read, and most likely written by someone who doesn't even drive one of these trucks or use 4WD often.

Here on this forum we have thousands of members who have actual hands on experience and that collective knowledge is more reliable to me. Plus way more enjoyable to read!

Lots of assholes out there today too. People who feel the need to be a smartass or be rude over a computer screen get no respect from me. It's so much easier to skip a thread than to reply with attitude. You're not helping anything.