Using 4lo with hubs unlocked

89silverpu · 01-22-2008, 01:15 PM

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?

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tc · 01-22-2008, 01:16 PM

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)

4rockclimber · 01-22-2008, 01:19 PM

i used 4 low with the hubs unlocked to tow a friends busted cj back to the pavement with no issues at all,

89silverpu · 01-22-2008, 01:19 PM

Thanks! I don't do it alot just when I go up the roads which is only about once a month at most.

jjrgr21 · 01-22-2008, 01:26 PM

i'd regear if it's bad enough to need low range

Red3.slow · 01-22-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

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

bigt · 01-22-2008, 01:33 PM

why not use 4wd?? is it not snowy enough to need them or you just dont want to get out and lock the hubs

EWAYota · 01-22-2008, 01:57 PM

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.

just a 22re · 01-22-2008, 01:57 PM

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!!!!

89silverpu · 01-22-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

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!

just a 22re · 01-22-2008, 01:58 PM

its 2wd no light or 4wd w/light

Brendan · 01-22-2008, 02:09 PM

just don't shift on the fly with the hubs unlocked.

just a 22re · 01-22-2008, 02:24 PM

what grade is this hill your talking about any pics? i wanna see this if it takes a yota 2lo just to climb

notanymore · 01-22-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

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.

82yota · 01-22-2008, 03:01 PM

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.

EWAYota · 01-22-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

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.

rdlsz24 · 01-22-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

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

4Crawler · 01-22-2008, 06:08 PM

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.

ovrrdrive · 01-22-2008, 06:13 PM

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.

Quote:

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.

spanish-road · 01-22-2008, 06:21 PM

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.

Brendan · 01-22-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovrrdrive

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.

i did it once... by accident. it made a bad sound.

89silverpu · 01-22-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just a 22re

what grade is this hill your talking about any pics? i wanna see this if it takes a yota 2lo just to climb

I don't know the grade all I know is that its really steep. If anyone on here knows Vacaville and they 4 wheel they know Bob's property (this place is very well known for extreme ravine kinda crawling and only heavily modified vehicles make it through the trails...theres a lot of posting up on Pirate about it) its on the same road, Mix Canyon, getting up into the hills that property is located except it gets alot steeper up at the top of the road, the military has radio antennas up there and all the major news broadcasters in the Bay area have their doplar radar on top of these hills. I guess technically they are mountains but just really small ones...and my truck also came stock with 28's so I don't have the "right" gearing for 31's that some yota pickups came stock with so that probably has something to do with it...

89silverpu · 01-22-2008, 08:00 PM

I actually just checked online and the road, Mix Canyon road is 23% at its steepest...

4Crawler · 01-22-2008, 08:04 PM

I use 2L to go up the very top of Hwy. 4 in the California Sierra Nevada to Ebbetts Pass. I forget the exact gradient, but I think it is over 20% and with the ~9000' elevation and a load of camping gear in my '85, the little 22RE needs all the help it can get. It'll climb fine in 1st gear 2H, but 2nd is a no go. In 2L, I can use gears 1-4:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechI...l#Transmission
Handy for both climbing and descending that steep winding section of road at the top of the pass.

89silverpu · 01-22-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Crawler

I use 2L to go up the very top of Hwy. 4 in the California Sierra Nevada to Ebbetts Pass. I forget the exact gradient, but I think it is over 20% and with the ~9000' elevation and a load of camping gear in my '85, the little 22RE needs all the help it can get. It'll climb fine in 1st gear 2H, but 2nd is a no go. In 2L, I can use gears 1-4. Handy for both climbing and descending that steep winding section of road at the top of the pass.

Thats exactly what I'm getting at, I could use 1st gear 2H all the way but it would be bogging down at the top and I would be going nowhere so I use 4lo to be able to get into 3rd gear and go 15-20 miles per hour instead of like < 10 miles per hour in 1st gear 2H

01-22-2008, 01:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,372	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) __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action Last edited by tc; 01-22-2008 at 01:17 PM.

01-22-2008, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
4rockclimber Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: From San Francisco, but attending school in Pomona CA Posts: 46	i used 4 low with the hubs unlocked to tow a friends busted cj back to the pavement with no issues at all, __________________ here's to the climber wagon

01-22-2008, 01:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
89silverpu Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vacaville/Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA/ UNLV (Las Vegas), NV Posts: 1,689	Thanks! I don't do it alot just when I go up the roads which is only about once a month at most. __________________ '89 Beater Jeep Eater in progress 4.88's, TRD e-locker, Dual Cases, 33's, Armored, Tread Lightly Mixchallenge.info

01-22-2008, 01:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
jjrgr21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,520	i'd regear if it's bad enough to need low range __________________ 2003 4WD TRD Tacoma 1986 4Runner

01-22-2008, 01:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 3,200	why not use 4wd?? is it not snowy enough to need them or you just dont want to get out and lock the hubs __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X turbo diesel right hand drive toyota imported in 2005 from japan, 130,000 km 31 bfg a/t auto current build 1987 LWB suzuki samurai. turning 2 into one.. yota axles welded front to back, yota springs , ifs steering box,, this bad boy will not only eat jeeps but toyotas aswell \m/

01-22-2008, 01:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
EWAYota Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Richland, Washington Posts: 4,597	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. __________________ DJ 1994 Pickup 22RE, Engnbldr 261 cam, 5 speed. Tires that go around and around... Preping for SAS...... Originally Posted By Fustercluck "Proof that Gangus did not spontaneously generate....he has relatives." Originally Posted By Tacoclimber "My two year old better get a job, soon..." Reply Posted By Oly884 "I hear coal mining is a great career." Myspace

01-22-2008, 02:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Brendan Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 2,117	just don't shift on the fly with the hubs unlocked. __________________ 1992 "Truck" 1978 Land Cruiser FJ40 pig and elephant DNA just won't splice :( *DO NOT CLICK HERE*

01-22-2008, 03:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
82yota Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 301	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.

01-22-2008, 06:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	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. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

01-22-2008, 06:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
spanish-road Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fairbanks Ak Posts: 1,097	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. __________________ What I don't get is why pay someone to work on your vehicle? 1991 toyota pickup extcab- 22re 31x10.5x15 bone stock except for the RV cam and tires.

01-22-2008, 08:00 PM	#23 (permalink)
89silverpu Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vacaville/Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA/ UNLV (Las Vegas), NV Posts: 1,689	I actually just checked online and the road, Mix Canyon road is 23% at its steepest... __________________ '89 Beater Jeep Eater in progress 4.88's, TRD e-locker, Dual Cases, 33's, Armored, Tread Lightly Mixchallenge.info

01-22-2008, 08:04 PM	#24 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	I use 2L to go up the very top of Hwy. 4 in the California Sierra Nevada to Ebbetts Pass. I forget the exact gradient, but I think it is over 20% and with the ~9000' elevation and a load of camping gear in my '85, the little 22RE needs all the help it can get. It'll climb fine in 1st gear 2H, but 2nd is a no go. In 2L, I can use gears 1-4: - http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_TechI...l#Transmission Handy for both climbing and descending that steep winding section of road at the top of the pass. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club Last edited by 4Crawler; 01-22-2008 at 08:21 PM.

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