4WD Shudder

amocat80 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 04:45 PM

I tried looking for this in other threads but couldn't find it. I bought a new 08 Tacoma 4x4 DC with the TRD Off Road package the other week. When I change from 2WD to 4HI or from 4HI back to 2WD the transmission does a loud thud and shudders - is this normal? I am completely stopped when I change.

I may just be paranoid about my new baby.

Thanks

NicksToy · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 06:41 PM

You should be moving in a straight line when you shift. Sometimes I hear a little thud, sometimes I don't. It seems normal.

05Moose · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 10:55 PM

Normal. I've gone over this before. Shift while driving and make sure you're not under load or turning when doing so. In other words, if going uphill, let up on the gas just as you switch it into 4wd. It decreases the thunk noise (and stress on the drive train IMO). Same when taking it out of 4wd.

demoncleaner · #4 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 09:04 AM

Agree w/ Moose05, also your truck is new. In time, and if you use it alot, will go in/out of 4wd easier and quieter.

azfire06 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 11:42 AM

I rarely switch from 2wd to 4wd while moving. I stop, put the tranny in neutral. Never had a problem and no clunking.

05Moose · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azfire06

I rarely switch from 2wd to 4wd while moving. I stop, put the tranny in neutral. Never had a problem and no clunking.

That would be dangerous for me to do. Going from dry pavement to patches of ice...I would have to stop on each side of the ice patch and risk an accident. Not a solution in my case. Plus, you frequently have to move to get the system to engage.

azfire06 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05Moose

That would be dangerous for me to do. Going from dry pavement to patches of ice...I would have to stop on each side of the ice patch and risk an accident. Not a solution in my case. Plus, you frequently have to move to get the system to engage.

I have not experienced the "move" to get the system to engage. While we get snow/ice where I live. The conditions are such that I don't have to all of a sudden switch to 4x4. If the roads are snow packed /icy. I engage before I start out. I understand there are times when its not pratical to stop and shifting on the fly in necessary. In my case, I know ahead of time that I need 4x4 becuase of muddy, slippery, offroad, or ice condions.

05Moose · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 12:20 PM

Must be different environments. Snowing or snow/ice on the road is one thing. When the sun is out and the roads are bone dry, you travel through the shady areas on the hills where there are stretches of snow/ice on the road extending a hundred feet or so where the plows couldn't scrape it off. Obviously, you don't want to use 4wd on the dry pavement around all the turns and such. Then hitting those patches causes the back end to swing out because it's just too steep. So, need to pop it into 4wd. I do this just as I approach those patches and pop it back out of 4wd if it's a ways until the next patch (like a mile). Owner's manual (and the card in the visor) states that you must stop to use 4Lo, but must be going less than 62mph to engage/disengage 4Hi.

SuperBusa · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05Moose

Owner's manual (and the card in the visor) states that you must stop to use 4Lo, but must be going less than 62mph to engage/disengage 4Hi.

Yes ... it shouldn't be a problem to pop between 2Hi and 4Hi while on the move. My truck seems to do it with no major thuds or problems - like said earlier, just make sure you're not on the gas. I'm usually going less than 60 mph on slick roads anyway.