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When do you use 4lo?

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by luk8272, Jun 25, 2008.

  1. Jun 25, 2008 at 2:54 PM
    #1
    luk8272

    luk8272 [OP] Poodoo

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    Just wondering when experienced riders use thier 4lo. I have always been told to only use it when needed then take it out. Here where I live we use it to get things moving then switch to 4hi, for example when pulling livestock or rice bins when they have sat all season or it is muddy we enguage 4lo and when all is moving along switch to hi. Just wondering how it is used on the trails.
     
  2. Jun 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
    #2
    Chomag

    Chomag Well-Known Member

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    I would think for the realy muddy, and thick areas but I'm not realy an expert off-roader lol
     
  3. Jun 25, 2008 at 3:05 PM
    #3
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    i use mine when the trail gets tough enough that i need to go SLOW...previously i also used it when i needed my locker engaged until i did the gray wire mod
     
  4. Jun 25, 2008 at 3:08 PM
    #4
    luk8272

    luk8272 [OP] Poodoo

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    Through the years I have done tons of mudding, we hardly ever use 4lo. Its always been used when going slowly.
     
  5. Jun 25, 2008 at 3:26 PM
    #5
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    like i said...the only time i needed 4lo in the mud was because i needed the locker engaged...and since toyota only wants you to be locked in 4lo...had to do it...

    only recently have i been able to lock in 2/4h/4l



    i dont see much use for it if you dont need to go slow and have a lot of torque...
     
  6. Jun 25, 2008 at 3:29 PM
    #6
    Chomag

    Chomag Well-Known Member

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    I sure wish it didn't have that annoying constent chime when it's engaged. So luckly its hardly ever used.
     
  7. Jun 25, 2008 at 3:39 PM
    #7
    luk8272

    luk8272 [OP] Poodoo

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    Tigerfan00 I agree with you 100%.
    Chomag What is the chirping noise? Are you sure it is engaging, I thought the noise was to inform you it didn't work. Just curious.
     
  8. Jun 25, 2008 at 8:19 PM
    #8
    my2coma

    my2coma Active Member

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    I use it when I reach an obstacle(i.e. rocks, steep incline....) and I need to take it slow, but keep the rpm's up. Your most horse power and torque are up in the higher rev's.

    Jambo2008154_d7b5706698a8cb5b03377d1bf7ca76088bff1a68.jpg
     
  9. Jun 25, 2008 at 10:51 PM
    #9
    BlueTaco

    BlueTaco Well-Known Member

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    Chomag, that annoying constent chime means its not engaged in 4L, probably because you didnt have it in park or neutral when you switch it to 4L. There should be instructions on how to engage it properly in your drivers side sunblocker. If this isnt the case, then you may have a problem.
     
  10. Jun 25, 2008 at 11:04 PM
    #10
    Siafu

    Siafu Eat My Dirt

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    yeah that chime means its not engaged. you have to be in park or neutral to engage in or out of 4lo. only use when goin super slow and you need all the torque you can get.. yeeehaaaa
     
  11. Jun 26, 2008 at 6:11 AM
    #11
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    When going to an offroad park to ride the trails all day... 4lo all day long.

    I can't imagine driving around Rausch Creek in 4hi.... it's just too bumpy, rocky, and rutted to go that fast on the trails. 4Lo is perfect to keep the speeds down, easier on your truck/suspension & kidneys, and safer for everyone. YOu don't need to be blazing around on the trails especially if there are other groups of rigs or riders (ATV's, etc) running around in the same wooded area. Slower is safer.... Slower keeps the other members in your group together and who wants to rush?? Enjoy the day....
     
  12. Jun 26, 2008 at 1:22 PM
    #12
    Siafu

    Siafu Eat My Dirt

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    +1
     
  13. Jun 26, 2008 at 1:41 PM
    #13
    Chomag

    Chomag Well-Known Member

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    Ahhh, well thats good to know, thanks. I only switched it over once so far and that was just to play with the switch. Heh I guess I just need to get my truck out more for some fun in the mudd.
     
  14. Jun 26, 2008 at 7:35 PM
    #14
    daward

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    x2 for slow... on the trail is about the only time you'll hear me say that I have more fun going slow :D

    Not that I have a ton of experience, but... when my 4wd refused to engage two weeks ago, the severe gear change going to 4lo helped me get up/down/in/out of some pretty nasty stuff.
     
  15. Jun 26, 2008 at 9:03 PM
    #15
    luk8272

    luk8272 [OP] Poodoo

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    Thanks for the heads up I have never really hit any real trails. Here we don't have any. On the farms there isn't anything to really challenge a 4x4, unless you make a mud hole or find some tractor ruts in a crawfish pond.
     
  16. Jun 26, 2008 at 9:59 PM
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    Brunes

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    I have had two trucks with 4x4 switching- for a total of 5 years. I used it to get off of a soft beach once and pretty often when I head off the road for more then short trips.

    In a terrain park or anything- I agree with the all the time.
     
  17. Jul 5, 2008 at 10:31 PM
    #17
    mark155490

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    i use 4LO IN SECOND GEAR WHEN IM ROOTIN IT UP.CUZ 4 hi in 1st wants to bog down if ur goin to slow
     
  18. Jul 5, 2008 at 11:04 PM
    #18
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I use 4Low for any trail that requires a slower more controlled drive. Anything under 25 - 30 mph. :)
     
  19. Jul 18, 2008 at 7:15 AM
    #19
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    I use 4-lo around the house to back up grassy hills since I can let idle do it without juggling gas and clutch. Keeps it slow enough that the tires don't spin and tear up the grass while clutching, or if I need to get within a few inches of something.

    Other than that, I use it mostly to get up STEEP hills, or hold my speed back without riding the brakes. It's not as useful to me now with the locker mod done since I can't transition from 4LO to 4HI without stopping. So using 4LO to get going and switching to 4HI is pointless. :( If I need more speed that 4LO 1st, and less than 4HI 1st I'll start in 4LO 3rd. :D But more often than not I'll just use 2wd locked and engage 4HI if I bog down when offroading.
     
  20. Jul 18, 2008 at 7:32 AM
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    klown

    klown Tacoma World Ring Leader

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    Use it anytime you want big HP but still wanna go slow.
     

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