4x4 HI/Low - What is OK and what isn't?

LOL! Guilty as charged. (But this was in my work truck that the city owned .. So I didn't give a shit.)

 

In the 1st gen tundras with push button 4x4, the 4hi light would blink and beep at you if you pushed it while going faster than 55 or so

 

No prob whatsoever, since it slippery. If it was dry road, I wouldn't be in 4x4 mode. Even in the rain, you can use the 4hi

 

I use 4H at all speeds and 4L up to 40mph.

And if in 4L with Crawl engaged and go over about 15mph the truck will disengage that feature. MTS will disengage at 7mph. And the rear locker - haven’t tested that yet.

 

Ahhhhhh, that must be it.

 

I doubt it will auto disengage. It's safer (for the equipment) for it to stay locked at any speed than to try and disengage it when you're doing 65.

Although you're also limited to 4lo when using the locker, so good luck getting to 65 in 4lo, lol.

 

Totally. NOT using something is the best way to find out how it works ... according to him.

 

Huh? I don’t remember saying anything about being in 4L and going 65mph?

 

I didn't say you did.

you were wondering if the locker auto disengages above certain speeds, like crawl control does. I'm saying it doesn't (at least it shouldn't) because trying to disengage the locker at higher speeds will likely lead to damage.

I used 65 as an absurd example of a higher speed, especially considering you have to be in 4lo to engage the locker.

1st gens have a mod (grey wire mod) that basically tricks the ECU into thinking it's in 4lo, so you can engage the locker in 2wd or 4hi, but I'm not sure if the 3rd gens have a similar option without an aftermarket locker.

Having the locker engaged at high speed is not a problem, drag racers do it all the time. The problem is engaging or disengaging it at those higher speeds.

 

So you’re saying you really don’t know what you’re talking about and shouldn’t be saying anything? I agree lol.

 

I’m surprised how many discussions there are on TW regarding when to use 4wd. My grandpa said, drive in 2wd til you get stuck and then stick it in 4wd and turn around and go home

it’s a lot simpler than everyone is making it out to be. If your 4 tires have good traction, 4wd is unnecessary. This means, dry pavement leaves no need for 4wd.

At some point if it’s too slick to be driving in 2wd then it is also too slick to be driving at 80 just because you stuck it in 4HI.

if you can drive where you’re driving with 2wd there’s no need for 4wd. As soon as it becomes unnecessary, I turn it off. If you’re in the snow, 4wd doesn’t mean you get to go faster it just means you don’t have to slip off the stoplight.

 

That's why I posted the video. Let the Mfg. do the talking. Also the most unused source of information is the owners manual. It's a MUST read for every vehicle owner and simplified.

 

When im ripping down an FSR, im always in 4hi. It keeps my truck planted and the rear is more stable, its much safer. Not sure why you said to be in 2wd till you get stuck, doesnt make any sense to me. Also if driving on hwy and its snowing, you should be in 4hi, thats what its for.

In a manual, 4lo is used pretty much immidiately as soon as its starts to get hilly and low speed off roading is required. In an auto you have torque converter to multiply torque, in a manual you only have a transfer case.

 

I agree 100%.

 

If you say so.

 

To each their own, but being on the highway in the snow - what benefit does the 4 hi give you? If you are maintaining forward momentum at highway speeds, why are you in 4 hi?

 

More traction. If you're in 2wd the back end may try to pass you or rotate the truck. In 4wd the front wheels are pulling and keeping the truck straight.

 

Then take your foot off the gas?? How do you think people drive 2wd cars in snow?

 

As you’re turning the front steering tires and clawing and pulling you through the turn.

 

If you already have momentum there is no need for the front wheels to be powered