Shifted to 4WD while wheels were slipping :(

The other day I was driving my Taco in the snow (in 2WD) at about 15mph and turned a corner and headed up hill. The wheels started slipping and I kind of panicked and shifted into 4WD while the wheels were slipping. There was a little bit of a thud then I got traction back. I read in the manual that you should never shift to 4WD if the wheels are slipping. I'm hoping I didn't do any damage. What do you guys think?

 

You will probably be fine. Just don't do it regularly. These trucks are designed to try and stop themselves from self destruction

 

are u sure the thud wasnt from the actuator engaging the 4WD?

 

Yeah it was an "oh shit" thud.

 

Do you have the "button" type 4wd mechanism, or do you physically have to pull a lever back when shifting into 4wd hi?

 

I did the same thing about a month or so ago. If it still works (no grinding noise, no leaks, etc.), I wouldnt worry about it. Try not to do it too often though.

 

It's the shifter that you actually have to physically pull back.

 

Yeah, I've done it before. I'm assuming it's kind of like shifting gears on a manual without fully disengaging the clutch.

When I did it, I could hear gears grinding, so I immediately stopped.

I'm assuming yours engaged, which could put some stress on the gears but I don't think it's anything to worry about.

The push button one can actually sense wheels spinning and will yell at you and it won't engage 4wd.

 

SHIFT ON THE FLY BAAAAAABYYYY !! You're fine this time ,next time let off the accelerator ,then drop it into 4x, takes about 1.5 seconds.....

 

you should be okay as long as your 4wd still works and no insane noises are apparant now

 

Yeah it seems to be working fine and it's not making any nasty noises. Thanks for the input fellas I was feeling like a real idiot.

 

Nah, you are fine. That just happens because the gears aren't meshed perfectly when the wheels are slipping, it takes a second and when the mesh they tend to make that, "oh shit" sound. Obviously if you do it enough it's not the best for your x-fer case but those gears are pretty tough.

 

I too think you're fine... Have you shifted into 4WD before and NOT heard the 'THUD' (or 'THUNK') sound?

I have had 3 Tacoma 4WDs... all automatics... The '01 had a button on the side of the joystick for H4. The '05 and '10 both have the dial on the dash. All made to be engaged while moving (shift on-the-fly)... and ALL THREE make a loud THUNK sound when it engages into H4... and a similar, albeit lighter thud when shifting out of 4WD. With over 240,000 miles between them... the 4WD was never damaged or failed.

Now, you can't go into L4 with stopping and shifting into neutral.

Next time you get off the pavement or into snow, shift into H4 right then, don't wait for tires to slip... Use it!

 

Had that noise once, I hated it. Sounds like your beating something lol

 

Just once? Don't you like to go four wheeling?