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Downshifting in 4Lo (MT)

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Dkarr13, Jun 27, 2021.

  1. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:06 PM
    #21
    GBR

    GBR Well-Known Member

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    I use low range a lot while off the pavement on forest roads. If it's a road where I'm not going to exceed 30 mph, please tell me why I shouldn't use low range?

    Because now I opened up the possibility of using gears 3-6, I'm not messing with lugging 2nd or ringing it out, or having to shift back into first while trying to ascend. Just a way better experience in my opinion.
     
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  2. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:11 PM
    #22
    barf

    barf Petter of Dogs

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    Unless you are on serious inclines or declines, 4Hi all day. You aren’t supposed to be driving over 10mph in 4low. That’s what 4hi is for…
     
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  3. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:11 PM
    #23
    GBR

    GBR Well-Known Member

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    As far as grinding goes OP, yeah you gotta be extra careful when shifting. No slamming it into gear and double clutching isn't a bad idea on a downshift.
     
  4. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:12 PM
    #24
    Dkarr13

    Dkarr13 [OP] IG: Tonya_Tacoma

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    Too much to name for this little space
    How'd you pull that number? "10mph"?
     
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  5. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:12 PM
    #25
    GBR

    GBR Well-Known Member

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    Ok, but tell me why.
     
  6. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:12 PM
    #26
    Dkarr13

    Dkarr13 [OP] IG: Tonya_Tacoma

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    ...back to the original question lol alright sounds good! I'll try it
     
  7. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:13 PM
    #27
    barf

    barf Petter of Dogs

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    It’s a random number. 4 low is for crawling, not driving down forest service roads. It’s your truck. Do what you want. Just saying 4low is not needed unless you are creeping up or down steep angles.
     
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  8. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:16 PM
    #28
    barf

    barf Petter of Dogs

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    I’d really love someone who really knows how to off-road/rock crawl chime in and say they cruise at 25 mph in 4lo. I’ve never heard of anyone doing it. If there is a reason to do so, I’d like to know what it is.
     
  9. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:22 PM
    #29
    Dkarr13

    Dkarr13 [OP] IG: Tonya_Tacoma

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    Agreed. I've ran with jeep guys, guys who live literally on trails, and they use 4lo how I'm describing but it'd be curious to see what others take. In my opinion, anyone who's scared to use 4lo past 5 or 10mph isn't using their trucks full potential
     
  10. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:24 PM
    #30
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    I regularly cruise in 4lo at 20 - 25mph on trails between technical sections. Less braking needed, much easier on the clutch when climbing or navigating ruts and other obstacles that would require more clutch feathering in 4hi. I use 4lo way more often than 4hi.
     
  11. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:26 PM
    #31
    Cudgel

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    We may have found the cause.
     
  12. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:27 PM
    #32
    barf

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    This makes sense.
     
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  13. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:31 PM
    #33
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    4lo is just an additional gear reduction. Use whatever gear feels right. In 4lo with 4.30s and short tires 1st in my truck is so low that 2nd or 3rd is where i spend most of my time. If I get up to higher speeds for longer times, I'll pop it into 4hi, but I have yet to see a hard rule of saying when.

    Most of the time I'm using 4lo for down hill control anyway - you get a lot more options for different levels of engine braking at bumpy-road-appropriate speeds with it.
     
  14. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:31 PM
    #34
    Dkarr13

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    My downshifting issue was typically from 3rd to 2nd, unless you mean something else then please elaborate
     
  15. Jun 27, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #35
    Dkarr13

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    That's the main reason for trail use is just having that extra control over the vehicle in 4lo that is necessary. Speeds are still not exceeding 30-35mph but the vehicle is just way touchier which is needed so I don't slam into trees, roll off a cliff from rocky roads etc
     
  16. Jun 27, 2021 at 6:58 PM
    #36
    Breakfast_taCOs

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    I believe the owners manual has 25mph as the limit for 4LO.

    Same exact issue with grinding gears; I shift a lot slower an “ease” it into each gear when I’ve got it in 4LO. This seems to be normal based on my experience. I never grind gears in 2HI / 4HI

    I’ve been all the way up to 5th gear in 4LO; helps with steep descents (engine braking).
     
  17. Jun 27, 2021 at 7:02 PM
    #37
    Dkarr13

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    In 2wd, if I try to "ease" it into gear, I get that grinding feel so I didn't even think to try something like that. Next trail riding, I'll try to ease it in, double clutch or whatever else. But it sounds like it's just common and not just me
     
  18. Jun 27, 2021 at 7:14 PM
    #38
    BigWhiteTRD

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    upload_2021-6-27_22-15-1.jpg
     
  19. Jun 27, 2021 at 7:17 PM
    #39
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Anything over 20mph is 4HI territory.

    I hate the howling of the engine and trying to keep up with the trail mates.

    I use 4LO for challenges and hills. Not for entire trails.
     
  20. Jun 27, 2021 at 8:41 PM
    #40
    C41n

    C41n KDMax Pro Authorized Tuner | Portland, OR

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    Grinding in 4lo got better back when I did redline MT90 in the transmission around 2k miles on the odometer. Still happens sometimes, but less so. The redline really smoothed out shifts in 2h also. Highly recommend it.

    I use 4lo almost exclusively for trails. I will often use 2nd, and 3rd in it. If I to a place where I find myself going 20-30+ I switch back to 4h. Never tried past 4th, but I wouldn't be concerned doing so really.
     
    tonered and Dkarr13[OP] like this.

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