Run in 4wd once a month?

I use 4 lo to go down one of the steepest roads in the USA - waipio valley on the big island. First time I did it I never put the truck into 4 lo before. I knew I needed it to get down the insanely steep hill at a slow speed so I don’t burn out the breaks. 4 lo worked out great. The road is paved but bumpy and full of holes. No noises going down but when I got to the bottom and had to make a sharp right turn while still in 4 lo the truck compressed and made a loud TICK from the driver side and has made the noise ever since when I get a hard compress on the suspension. When I made the turn I could feel the wheels sticking and wondered why.

maybe someone here can chime in.
It started pouring rain when we were going back up and I used 4 lo again to get back up this insane hill. Still worked great and the truck crawled up like a champ. Am I doing damage?

 

You were in 4lo and made a sharp right turn on asphalt? The front and rear wheels will spin at different speeds doing that and without a center differential, things can bind up and break. Something to be aware of. You might want to check the ball joints on the upper and lower control arms.

 

Sharp right turn on asphalt that was bumpy and full of holes while at a super steep angle to flat ground.

 

Ball joints look fine mechanic couldn’t find the issue either but it barley makes the noise unless I am at full turn and do a complete suspension compress. On Any kind of ground it does this now.

 

You know when it occurs but not why, I wouldn’t be too concerned, just keep an eye on it. If it gets. progressively worse then you have could have a problem.
They are awesome trucks, but mechanical components do still break down. Enjoy your Tacoma

 

This is something I have ALWAYS done with every 4WD truck I've ever owned. Toyota, Ford, Dodge, GM.......

The old "Use it or lose it".
I have always made a point to use it to keep things loose. It never hurts to check and use all systems every month or so.

In all my years of running 4WD personally and too many hours to count as an Environmental Resource Manager on 35,000 acres of private forest for many years.......doing that, I have never had a breakdown of a 4WD system.

 

If no dirt or grass road handy, drop your right wheel off the pavement. A good strong rain also is fine for checking out 4wd. It’s not so easy to break it.

 

I've had mine since November 2016 and at 30k miles it's been in 4WD less than 10 miles total

 

Took my truck out for our "monthly" 4x4 mode... was trying to disengage out of 4lo but was still moving a tad... heard a little grinding

 

Till recently we still had snow and ice, just to pull up in my driveway I had to go in 4wd!

 

So it's been asked twice now...without an answer, although I could of missed it, among all the typical useless BS...does the 10 miles a month thing in 4Hi "cover" lubrication for the entire system, or do you also need to do it for 4Lo??

 

For what its worth i live on a dirt road that runs a mile or so to the main asphalt road. Had 4wd toyota pickups for years. I run the truck in 4wd h a couple times a month on the dirt part. Never had any 4wd issues when it came time to use it in the winter months. On another note i have changed the front and rear differential oil plus the transfer case oil every 30k. The front differential oil appeared really dirty every time changed...no metallic particles but just dirty.

 

I don't know. So I just went for a drive, found some dirt roads, went 4 Hi a bunch and a little 4 LO just in case. I figure if I'm already there, do both!

Besides it's an excuse to use 4WD. Sorry hun, truck needs it's monthly 4 wheeling session, back in a few hours!

Must protect the investment.

 

Sometimes it is difficult to get 4low to engage. This is a drag when you suddenly need it.
If you exercise it regularly, even if it means engaging it and driving only a few hundred yards, this should not be a problem when you need to use it.

 

OK Just a thought here - so no flames please .... CV joint and Universals are great to change the direction of the driveshaft .... but they do have a limit. For example - it will not do a 90 Degree angle. Once the angle gets to the max the joint start to get very stressed and possibly get damaged. If you still get the noise I'd have the front CV ? Joints checked . JMO

 

I have no problem cause I live 2 miles in on a dirt road.....but it does create problems when you should really drive enough to warm the fluid (several miles at least) and all you can see for thirty miles are tarred roads. It is important though. The worse thing a used car buyer wants to hear is; “ I never used the 4wd” thinking, they were doing the next owner a favor.
This is the one and only reason I liked manual hubs.

 

Wet Grass, Dirt, sand, anything that can "Give" and allow the wheels to slip a little ...

 

The drive trains on Toyota’s are much more forgiving. All good advice. Now, if you had a Colorado......

 

Not necessary perhaps for much distance imo. . It’s the front differential and transfer case that need lubrication. But, it doesn’t hurt just to remind the truck what it can do. So I would. I learned years ago with my 4 runner that it’s good to use the actuators as they are meant to be used, occasionally. So yes, I would.....and I still do. I even lock the rear differential occasionally too...

 

Exactly. It can be a mile. Or a hundred feet. Just keep things moving every now and then.