Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

Using 4lo with hubs unlocked

Old 01-22-2008, 12:15 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
89silverpu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sierra Nevada's or the Deserts of Las Vegas
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Using 4lo with hubs unlocked

Is it ok to use the low gearing of 4lo and still be in 2wd? There are some roads in the hills by where I live and first gear isn't a low enough gear to get up them easily so I put it in 4lo without locking the hubs out so I'm assuming the front driveshaft is spinning but the wheels aren't getting power. Is this bad for the drivetrain in any way?
Old 01-22-2008, 12:16 PM
  #2  
tc
Contributing Member
 
tc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
nope, no problem at all. If you have to do it frequently though, I would recommend a twinstick - will give you 2LO whether the hubs are locked or not (and from inside the cab obviously)

Last edited by tc; 01-22-2008 at 12:17 PM.
Old 01-22-2008, 12:19 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
4rockclimber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: From San Francisco, but attending school in Pomona CA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i used 4 low with the hubs unlocked to tow a friends busted cj back to the pavement with no issues at all,
Old 01-22-2008, 12:19 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
89silverpu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sierra Nevada's or the Deserts of Las Vegas
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks! I don't do it alot just when I go up the roads which is only about once a month at most.
Old 01-22-2008, 12:26 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
jjrgr21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i'd regear if it's bad enough to need low range
Old 01-22-2008, 12:26 PM
  #6  
Contributing Member
 
Red3.slow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Little Rock, Ar
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 89silverpu
Is it ok to use the low gearing of 4lo and still be in 2wd? There are some roads in the hills by where I live and first gear isn't a low enough gear to get up them easily so I put it in 4lo without locking the hubs out so I'm assuming the front driveshaft is spinning but the wheels aren't getting power. Is this bad for the drivetrain in any way?
Unlocked hubs and 4lo is the cheap way to get a 2lo. I've never had problems when i've used it and it's nice to have to get up some steep slick hills.

This has been coved many times, search please

Last edited by Red3.slow; 01-22-2008 at 12:29 PM.
Old 01-22-2008, 12:33 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
bigt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario
Posts: 3,278
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
why not use 4wd?? is it not snowy enough to need them or you just dont want to get out and lock the hubs
Old 01-22-2008, 12:57 PM
  #8  
Contributing Member
 
EWAYota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Richland, Washington
Posts: 4,586
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
quick hijack, but almost on topic. When you shift into 4lo with the hubs locked, do we just have the 4x4 light illuminte or is there a 4lo light as well? Can't remember and when I put it in 4lo the other day, made me wonder.
Old 01-22-2008, 12:57 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
just a 22re's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: milwaukee, WI baby muddin in the streets!!
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i use 2lo for burn outs cause that just how it is lol and for some problem and just look out for this when in 2lo you rrear end might go right to a locked rear or its just mine but yet when ever i give it power it clunks and goes to a locked then it stops when theres no power going to the rear well its fun 2lo burnouts baby!!!!
Old 01-22-2008, 12:58 PM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
89silverpu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sierra Nevada's or the Deserts of Las Vegas
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bigt
why not use 4wd?? is it not snowy enough to need them or you just dont want to get out and lock the hubs
Its not snowy at all it doesn't snow where I live and 4WD isn't necessary its a paved road just really steep...and sorry I didn't have time to search I normally do I just didn't have time this time...and regearing is expensive so if this doesn't cause any problems I might as well do it!
Old 01-22-2008, 12:58 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
just a 22re's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: milwaukee, WI baby muddin in the streets!!
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
its 2wd no light or 4wd w/light
Old 01-22-2008, 01:09 PM
  #12  
Contributing Member
 
Brendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
just don't shift on the fly with the hubs unlocked.
Old 01-22-2008, 01:24 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
just a 22re's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: milwaukee, WI baby muddin in the streets!!
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
what grade is this hill your talking about any pics? i wanna see this if it takes a yota 2lo just to climb
Old 01-22-2008, 01:42 PM
  #14  
Registered User
 
notanymore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wenatchee WA
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by EWAYota
quick hijack, but almost on topic. When you shift into 4lo with the hubs locked, do we just have the 4x4 light illuminte or is there a 4lo light as well? Can't remember and when I put it in 4lo the other day, made me wonder.
no 4lo light, just for if you are in 4wd or not.
Old 01-22-2008, 02:01 PM
  #15  
Registered User
 
82yota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It shouldnt hurt anything. My dad and I use this when pulling boats out on paved ramps where we arent concerned about spinning so much as just being nice and easy on the clutch. Also when getting overly heavy loads moving around town I go through 1-3rd gears in low then shift to high and into second. It pretty much lines up perfectly and its like having a few lower gears to get things moving. Much easier for hill starts towing a 21 foot cabin cruiser.
Old 01-22-2008, 04:49 PM
  #16  
Contributing Member
 
EWAYota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Richland, Washington
Posts: 4,586
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by notanymore
no 4lo light, just for if you are in 4wd or not.
Good. I never pay attention to the lights when I'm in 4wd, just remembered seeing a 4lo light at one point, but that was with my F150.
Old 01-22-2008, 05:00 PM
  #17  
Registered User
 
rdlsz24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by 82yota
My dad and I use this when pulling boats out on paved ramps where we arent concerned about spinning so much as just being nice and easy on the clutch.
I also use it to pull our jet skis up the launch ramp. It makes it so much easier with the limited power of my 22RE.

Rob

Last edited by rdlsz24; 01-22-2008 at 05:04 PM.
Old 01-22-2008, 05:08 PM
  #18  
Contributing Member
iTrader: (3)
 
4Crawler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 10,817
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 26 Posts
I use 2LO all the time. With dual t-cases, I just put the front cane in low range. Handy for backing into tight parking spots, in stop-n-go traffic and for going up steep hills at high elevations, like when you find 1st gear too low and 2nd gear too high. Drop into low range and you split the gearing in the tranny and have many more gear choices.
Old 01-22-2008, 05:13 PM
  #19  
Registered User
 
ovrrdrive's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I also do it all the time. No worries. I park on the other side of a steep ditch a lot and use it so I don't have to rag my clutch or spin the tires going up the hill. I just drop in to 4lo and crawl up the hill and then shift back and drive off. I get plenty of traction in 2wd, I just need the lower gears sometimes.



Originally Posted by SizzleChest
just don't shift on the fly with the hubs unlocked.


Solid advice... With the hubs locked everything is spinning at the right speed so shifting on thew fly is possible. I'd hate to hear it if someone shifted on the fly at 25 miles per hour with nothing moving in the front end.
Old 01-22-2008, 05:21 PM
  #20  
Registered User
 
spanish-road's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fairbanks Ak
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have had to put it in 4lo and just 4wd wouldn't work, Im talking some steep stuff, it was 40-50% slope, with the seatbelt on I was hanging from it.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Using 4lo with hubs unlocked



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:09 PM.