Tacoma Off-Road 4x4

You're over thinking it.

Rental cars/trucks are beat to shit and never maintained. I doubt anyone had ever used that rental Taco's transfer case.
If getting into and out of 4x4 is slow and clunky it usually means it's never been used and/or T case could use new fluids. On a brand new truck it will be stiff at first and eventually becoming real smooth going in/out of 4hi and 4lo (don't try 4lo unless you've read that card on driver's sun visor, btw).

(1) He means don't forget you're in 4hi and drive 60 miles on it. It causes premature wear for no reason
(2) Yes
(3) Refer to first lines of this post
(4) It will come out of 4x4, just rock the truck back and worth, or drive forward slowly, or put in N then D then turn to 2WD. On steep grades this will happen too.

 

It could have been something really simple. The contacts are known to be an issue. Simply soldering them like @ClassyTacos did in the below video did the trick. Anyone that drives a 4WD Taco and doesn't understand how 4WD engages should watch this vid IMO; plus duder is on this forum so support a brother.

 

I greatly appreciate you. Many thanks!

 

Thank you kindly!

 

4HI going straight will not hurt anything. Binding will turning will and you will know it when its happening.

 

Thank you kindly. I appreciate it!

 

Got it! Many thanks!

 

Don't sweat it and go enjoy your 4x4 Taco. They're well built and will serve you well for a long time.

 

Just a couple more questions:

(1) Does engaging 4x4 in a straight path, while raining, put less strain on the system compared to when it's dry pavement?

(2) I read a thread where another gentleman asked if he can simply lift the Tacoma and engage 4x4, for the same purpose of maintenance. I understand this may not be needed, but I am interested to know as well. If I have the vehicle up before/after a oil change, and lets say the wheels are free... Would this be safe to do? Any advantages or drawbacks to engaging 4x4 while the vehicle is jacked up?

 

(1) Nope, same 'strain' on the system. Cornering is where strain becomes amplified. Cornering on dry pavement will put more strain then cornering on wet pavement. But it comes down to traction, ANY high traction surface is bad when cornering, even if it's raining. If you feel like your tires are really gripping nice, dont engage 4x4, rain or shine.

(2) I have no idea.

 

Okay, that makes sense. Maybe I'm over-complicating this, but at what point does it become a bind? Only when you start to feel it? Or does it start well before? I guess I'm asking because if I'm on a straight away with a very light curve, would that cause an issue? (obviously tight turns would)

 

You can engage 4WD on a straight stretch of road. I’ve got a one mile stretch on my way home and I’ll put on 4WD a couple of times a week.

 

Wide turns shouldn't be a problem. If you're close to turning the steering wheel to the max in either direction is when you'll encounter problems.
NASCAR style ovals are safe. 3 point turns are not.

You'll feel the truck shutter and shake and not want to keep going.

 

Best analogy I can think of is a wood lathe.
Imagine you have a stick of wood in your lathe but each end of the lathe is somehow rotating at different rates.
It will cause the piece of wood to twist on itself until it finally gives and breaks.

That's basically what happens when you're cornering in 4x4 on a grippy surface.

 

Honestly I typically just do it on a straight stretch of highway for 3-5 miles if I haven't needed it for snow recently. As long as it's a pretty straight stretch of road, and you're not exiting and doing 90 degree turns at intersections it's fine.

 

Absolutely yes.

 

Good to know, and thank you!

 

I just needed to be told. LOL

 

Hell, I live in what feels like the north Pole (mn). After reading all this, I wonder when my truck destroys itself. I have had it in 4hi for months. Including driving around town, Highway, slow, fast around corners… it ‘binds’ backing and tight turns (parking lot) etc.

I’m not too worried about it. The truck is designed for it. Maybe I’ll regret it, but I doubt it. It’s a truck!

 

Seriously? Wouldn't the system just break?