BoulderFrost

Hey all,

I have owned my 3rd gen 4Runner for about 6 months now and have never owned one previously. Whenever I put it in 4low it behaves rather obnoxiously. It is not a smooth acceleration at all. Very bouncy and inconsistent. Is this normal. My old 4wd felt fine in 4low so I'm suspecting something may be wrong. Any input you may have is much appreciated!

mjwalfredo

Mine has always been like that in 4 low. Shifts hard and lunges when it gets into gear. I just assumed it was normal...

dirtoyboy

I think its called torque

dairyjato

mine does it too. glad to hear its normal i guess!!

Tofer

just to double check, does it do it in 4hi? depending on how bad it is it may sound like you have mis matched gears.

BoulderFrost

4HI is perfect. Runs like a dream. Just 4LOW. Alfredo described it well...It's almost like it's lunging. BTW, thanks for your input dirtoyboy. I know what torque is...

NicCantDecide

Well, it is torque...

When you go into 4Low you have way more torque, so the same amount of pedal pressure will get your car jerking that much more. There really isn't much in the way of comfort in 4Low, its all about getting the job done

dirtoyboy

Yea well u know...sometimes the answer is so obvious its right there in front of you...

Have the gears been replaced that you know of? Jack your rig up and manually verify the ratio of each differential to check if they are the same

jct61765

normal

CJM

Totally normal, 4lo is meant for speeds under 10mph at best.

mjwalfredo

i agree that it is normal. It doesn't feel like anything is wrong or there is binding in the drivetrain. It just feels like gear ratio is much lower and the motor has less resistance to overcome.

unitofstuff

Do you think it's possible that it shifts differently in low range? I believe normally it retards timing for shifts to make it smoother, might it not do this in low?

I've also noticed the lack of smoothness in low.

mikes19984x4

haha, yep it's normal...and if you want some bouncing around due to torque, try stomping on the gas in 4lo with the 5-speed in 1st gear...mine's been known to yank trees right out of the ground...lol

etan

definitely torque on the low gears. 4hi should feel the same as 2hi. the low gear ratio gives it such response. besides does it even matter because if you're in 4low the ride won't be nice and it isn't because you're on nice paved roads i hope.

Greg_Canada

I can make my 89' wheelie in 2nd gear low range with the front hubs unlocked.... oooh ya torque...

UKMyers

Torque...... you guys are sitting in the 40:1 range with stock low range. With my Marlin Dual Ultimate I'm running 223:1. You CANNOT kill the engine in 1st gear double low. Something will break first.

Justinvd

What does your 4runner idol at? check to see if your idol is normal. I had some pretty intense throttle problem on a trail run one time, the idol screw broke and was making my truck idol at like 2500, my rear brakes couldnt even hold my tires from spinning when it was in 4low. Maybe that has something to do with it?sounds pretty normal though.

89silverpu

If you don't like the jerky ride of 4lo how are you gunna go wheeling? Its a pretty bumpy activity lol in 4lo you don't have to start in 1st gear, you can start in 2nd or third that will "smooth out" the shifting since you won't have to shift into second after 2 seconds

warriors_03

...no idle screw on a 3rd gen...

98runner210

I hear the the trans is programmed to shift differently in 4Low. I hear that the trans is designed to go straight from one gear to the next with out any slippage and "easing" into the next gear like normal driving. I heard it is so that if you are pulling or climbing you dont have all the weight and stress on the trans as it is switching gears.