stuck in 4LO... can i Manually shift it out?

Soooo, 05 4.0L 6speed, stuck in 4lo in the field. From the other treads that i searched, it seems to be the front ADD actuator.

(Edit, Yes, i know how to use all three pedals in my truck thank you though)

I unplugged everything including the ecu, unplugged the battery, checked the connections, checked the fuse and vacuum hoses, etc. None of that fixed it.

Before i get out there, and try to fix it in the field, would it be possible to pull the accuator off, manually get it out of 4lo put it back together and drive back on the highway?

I understand i would need to refill some fluid. I would like to clean, soldier and rebuild the party in a clean shop. Truck is sitting in the woods right now.

Thanks

 

This seems to be the issue
https://youtu.be/ZJESG91GbCQ
Right?

 

Toyota part # 4140035034 is almost $500 and not in stock near me.

 

This might answer my question.
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/add/

I'm just sharing everything i find, hopefully that makes it easier for the next person with this problem.

 

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/late-model-tacoma-4wd-actuators-failing.90151/

 

https://www.fjcruiserforums.com/threads/front-differential-actuator-repair-replacement.90975/

 

But without your foot on the brake. Just barely rolling a little tiny bit is ideal

 

Thanks. I guess i should have mentioned earlier, that I'm not new to this truck. I've had it a long time and used the system quite a bit.
Definitely not user error this time although i have effed up things before

 

If it won't switch out of 4lo the problem is likely not the front actuator, unless it is just the contacts inside the actuator being dirty. Hi/lo is switched at the transfer case behind the gearbox and from what I've heard that actuator is not as much of an issue. If the 4lo light is flashing it is most likely an electrical issue - either the contacts inside the actuator or any one of the many connectors between the front diff and main transfer case. Reason being is it won't shift unless it can tell what the current position of both actuators is. With mine there was a connector bracket rusted out just above and behind the front diff on the passenger side - I zip tied that connector to the frame and it's been good ever since.

 

Maybe you're correct? I'm not sure. As I read it, the rest of the system doesn't work, if the front add doesn't work. I'm not mechanically too familiar with the guts of it, but I've been reading quite a bit in the last 24 hours.

But I'll crawl back under there again and check all the connections, just to be sure. Thanks.

 

So, is anyone knowledgeable with my question? (The title of this thread)

If i open the front diff, i can slide a part and disengage the front.

But as mentioned, the tcase would still be in Lo, right? So what can i do about that?

 

Id think you'd have to take both actuators off and slide both forks manually to get back into 2Hi. Or maybe just the T-case to get into 4Hi.. But Ive never been into one of these myself same as you, so Im not sure how feasible that exercise would be in the field.

Also, I'd make sure theres very little tension on the drive-train when sliding it out of 4Lo and use a screwdriver or something. Definitely not sticking my fingers in there in the middle of the woods haha

 

I don't see how the front axle actuator would prevent a low to high shift. You go from 4wd low to 4wd high so the front stays engaged. Maybe the 4WD ECU needs to see the front engaged in its logic so there's a front axle sensor issue but I'd think the problem must be in the transfer case actuator or electronics.



Completely aside, I really wish they'd just use levers and hub lock dials still.

 

I found pictures of the front, and it doesn't appear dangerous to reach in there. Good point, I'll use some boulders to chalk the tires.

 

Agreed, i would prefer clunky mechanical features.

You explained it, the way that i read it, it's the electronics. I don't like electronics on my vehicles...

 

UPDATE

after inspecting everything yesterday, it still wouldn't disengage, so i left it in the field...

Just got to the truck after it sat overnight, got in, didn't do anything besides start it and use the controls as normal, IT DISENGAGED AS NORMAL!

guess I'll avoid going anywhere that requires 4lo, until i figure this out.
Thanks for all the input

 

If you ever get in that situation again. And absolutely have to get back in 4H or 2H.
You can pull the actuator off the Transfer Case and manually shift.

All the way IN is 2H
1 Notch OUT is 4H
All the way out is 4L.

Keep in mind this will have no effect on the Front Differential.
The Front Differential is the other culprit of “stuck in 4WD”

Since you say your issue is with 4L. You’d have to Start there First.

Here is all kinds of good information on the 4WD System.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-transfer-cases-in-first-and-2nd-gen-trucks.345652/

 

Thank you.
That's what I was asking!

 

That what you do when you’ve had all you want with the “push button” stuff. (Switches in our case)