4WD question......

riptide36v · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 05:56 PM

Is it recommended that all wheels be spinning at the same rate when putting in 4wd when shifting-on-the-fly or is it okay to shift while tires are spinning like say in the mud and you are going about 20 mph? Also, can you put in 4wd while you are backing up as in going up an incline?
Thanks,
Don

Skyhammerz · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 06:24 PM

Don't switch to 4wd when the rear tires are spinning. Take your foot off the throttle then switch to 4wd.

mhadden · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 06:24 PM

You can try to engage in all those instances, but it may not be a smooth transition. You may get a clunk, or it may hesitate to engage. if you need 4wd, its better to engage it before you need it rather than it being too late.

rockstate45 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhadden

You can try to engage in all those instances, but it may not be a smooth transition. You may get a clunk, or it may hesitate to engage. if you need 4wd, its better to engage it before you need it rather than it being too late.

Agreed. Yesterday I needed it because I didn't want to back down 100 feet to get a running start. What happened was I was going up this steep hill in a neighborhood. The other guy coming my way didn't want to yield to the parked cars on his side of the street so I had to come to a stop. Couldn't get going again with all my might so I needed to put it in 4wd. It worked well but for some reason I ALWAYS have slip initially, even though I always wait for it to become fully engaged in neutral.

It's hard on the truck to engage 4wd when your foot is on the throttle. Inclines are pretty hard but I've had to use mine on inclines and so far haven't had any problems with engagement or disengagement.

-rockstate

OneOfTheSick · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 07:19 PM

I'm not sure how much damage it does, but I put it in 4wd while spinning the rear tires once in my 2000 and it jolted the truck pretty hard. When engaging 4wd something has to match the speed of the front and rear tires so if its not you its the truck, and unfortunately it doesn't have a synchro for that. As for reverse there shouldn't be a problem with that.

dafoot · #6 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 08:27 PM

Oneofthesick, Where did you get your hitch cover? Thanks

Someguy123 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 08:28 PM

you gotta think about what that is doing to the truck. if you have even a minor speed difference between front and rear wheels. that will shock the hell out of the driveline. you have quite a bit of rolling mass on the front end. when you shift to 4x4, it engages a gear in your transfer case to connect the front to the rest of the driveline. so the front end doesnt have time to get up to speed. it goes instantly from whatever speed it is travelling, to the speed of the driveline. with spinning tires, you run a good chance of breaking a gear in the transfer case. not sure if toyota warranty will cover that??

Billy Bob · #8 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 08:29 PM

If your going STRAIGHT down a road you can put the truck into 4 HIGH at anytime. Just don't make ANY turns on hard pavement. I do this at least once a month to lube the 4 wheel drive components. The owners manual recommends you do this for 10 miles each month but I have never gone that far in 4 wheel drive.

guntech · #9 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 09:27 PM

You should always let up on the gas when you shift into 4X4. Will you get away with it if you don't? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not about to take that chance.

DesertSandAZ · #10 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

If your going STRAIGHT down a road you can put the truck into 4 HIGH at anytime. Just don't make ANY turns on hard pavement. I do this at least once a month to lube the 4 wheel drive components. The owners manual recommends you do this for 10 miles each month but I have never gone that far in 4 wheel drive.

I do the same thing. I've switched to 4H going 45 mph before. Shifted smoothly and everything. Yeah, after it changes, its a bitch to turn, but you can easily shift into 4wd at anything under 62 mph, which is what toyota says is the top speed.

OneOfTheSick · #11 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafoot

Oneofthesick, Where did you get your hitch cover? Thanks

Got it on ebay two years ago. I think this is the same one/same seller. eBay Motors: Toyota Tundra Trailer Hitch Plug - Receiver Cover (item 200186645652 end time Dec-31-07 16:38:33 PST)

AlaskaCub · #12 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 10:43 AM

Theres a difference between driving and putting it in 4wd and spinning the wheels and engaging 4wd (dont do that). I shift into 4 wd at speeds up to 55mph or so and its not a big deal, I just let off the gas for a second or and then reapply throttle. Like others stated, its a pretty big shockload on you drivetrain if you switch to 4wd while the tires are spinning and somethings got to give, may not do it the firs time, but I wouldn't make it a habit.

riptide36v · #13 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlaskaCub

Theres a difference between driving and putting it in 4wd and spinning the wheels and engaging 4wd (dont do that). I shift into 4 wd at speeds up to 55mph or so and its not a big deal, I just let off the gas for a second or and then reapply throttle. Like others stated, its a pretty big shockload on you drivetrain if you switch to 4wd while the tires are spinning and somethings got to give, may not do it the firs time, but I wouldn't make it a habit.

Thanks, that was what I needed to know. So, you can do the same while going in reverse, just not the 55mph part!!

AlaskaCub · #14 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 06:01 PM

Yes reverse is the same thing, just wait for the VSC off light to come on and the 4HI symbol to light up. Takes less than a second or so and then get after it!