How to exercise 4WD with no dirt roads around

OP, as long as you're not turning you're GTG. Just keep her under 60mph. I usually take mine down a straight farm road by my work if I know I won't be offroading any time soon. Which reminds me....

 

This is a serious question... Why can't the OP turn in 4hi? Why is the turning a big deal? I'm relatively new to 4wd trucks and I've never heard of turning being an issue.

 

Here's a post that will help explain it:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-northeast-phila.565414/page-2#post-18571510

 

Your transfer case wants to send the same "speed" to both your front wheels at the same time. (The whole point of 4x4 being to maximize traction)

When you take a turn, your inner wheel spins less than your outer wheel. The transfer case isn't designed for this and thus causes the jerky "binding" feeling when you try to turn. If you do it by mistake it probably isn't the end of the world, but its not something you want to make a habit out of.

 

Just hit a dirt road, those electrical lines are open access, illegal probably haha

 

My production date was February 2018, I bought in May with 4 miles on odometer, and have yet to put into 4WD. Do I already have problems?

Also do I have to exercise the 4Lo and locking rear diff each month, or will just putting into 4hi be sufficient?

 

This is only for the 4Runner Limited with the Torsen center differential. Other models have the same system as the Tacoma.

 

Don't worry yet. Running it in 4H occasionally on straight roads is advisable to lube stuff up and make sure actuators are operational and not stuck. Likewise, a few times a year it is good to exercise the 4L and locker for similar reasons, although driving it with those engaged is not really necessary. I see you are in the northeast, so things might get a bit corroded and jam the actuators up. It also helps you learn how to get them to engage properly -- sometimes getting it to engage takes some slow rolling and turning the wheel slightly to get things lined up properly. Sometimes it goes right in, but other times it beeps at you and you have to jiggle it around. Man, phrasing.

 

or... you could exercise your 4wd by doing what my friend did in high school with his brand new Subaru BRAT - he didn’t want to go on dirt and get it dirty, so he drove it around at night on a local golf course instead and got it stuck in a water hazard! ​

 

So is it perfectly fine to make sharper turns on dirt roads / gravel while in 4H?

 

Yes, fine. Snowy roads ok too, as with any surface with reduced traction/friction. Cornering in 4x4 on dry pavement can cause drivetrain problems.

 

Yeah, the wheels can slip and it won’t bind or over stress your driveline and differentials. It makes steering harder, and you will notice it when fully turned while doing u-turns and stuff on dirt, but it’s ok to do then.

Snow or ice is easiest on 4wd over all other surfaces, you won’t even notice a difference when turning sharp.

 

Ahhhh! Makes sense

 

This is true, but be careful. Having it in 4WD on ice or light snow can cause loss of front traction and steering. Great for deeper snow, or if going straight, but it can send you into a curb pretty quick on ice or a thin layer of snow.

 

... and it can do crazy doughnuts on ice that way too!

 

Thanks a lot for this tip - just what I was looking for. I'll be going down in a couple weeks. Anything I should know in advance? This will be my first time driving on a non-paved road, and I will be going alone.

 

just bring GPS or if u have a topo map of the area helps, most of the unpaved dirt roads show up on my GPS so I know where im at at all times and where I can exit out to a major route. a nice place to check out is Batsto village and pick up a map. just bring water and a full tank of gas and ur GTGo http://www.batstovillage.org/

 

When 4x4 is engaged on the highway the computer knows, an alert will pop up, vehicle will self destruct in 5...4...3...2...1. At which point a email will be sent to Toyota and your warranty will be voided. Your Pro status will be downgraded to OR status, your Pro grill will be confiscated along with your hood scoop.

 

X2
Used to live in south jersey and you can run the pine barrens for days.

 

I don't know what that area is like, but a basic set of recovery gear wouldn't hurt. If all goes bad, at least there is gear for someone else to hook to when they come along?

-- A hitch shackle:

Shackle Hitch Receiver by Vault - Connect Tow Straps for Vehicle Recovery with A 30000 Lbs Capacity - Towing Accessory Mounts to 2" Receivers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I25Z5F4

-- A matching hitch pin.

-- I grabbed another 3/4in shackle from Harbor Freight along with their 30ft strap: -- Plus a shovel from your garage.

I just put this setup to use pulling a friend's Gambler (an 80s Dodge van) up a few steep sections. The strap had some give and is pretty basic. Down the road, I want to upgrade this to a kinetic version.

BTW, the shackles and strap all store nicely in the left side bed cubby.