yotallycrazy

so i am purchasing a 3rd gen 4runner.this will be my first rig that i actually mod and take mildly off road.i am coming from the lexus/vip/coilover world so i apologize in advance.

i obviously want a 4wd.
theres a couple ive seen and i obviously want to make sure the 4wd works
problem is,i dont know how to put the thing in 4wd. today i looked at a 99 limited that had the lever with the 4wd button on the side.
The lot owner gets in there starts it and puts it in neutral and tries to go up with the shifter into HI and it grinded.then he drove forward and backward and put it in 4 hi again smoothly.he kept clicking the 4wd button on the side of the shifter as if he didnt know what the hell he was doing, which was obvious.needles to say im not buying that runner.


These are the questions id like answered:

If i'm stopped with the runner on and i press the 4wd button on the side of the lever am i in 4wd?

Was the grinding i heard normal?

i guess im confused as to why there is a 4wd button,and 2 lever positions.what are the uses for each the button and the levers?

a video showing the process would be awsome.there is only one on youtube and its not good at all.


again sorry for the total newbie question.

scottw

One good source of info is the owner's manual. It explains the 4WD system, including how to engage/disengage and properly shift between 4HI and 4LOW.

Owners manuals can be found here:
http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pag...Owners-Manuals

As an example for 3rd gen, I picked 2000 and got the following PDF link -- the 4WD system info starts on page 109.
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/docum...04runom/16.pdf

Gamefreakgc

I've been taught to use 4wd every 3 months or so to ensure the system stays lubricated. That owner obviously didn't use it, so I'd be concerned about the state of the gears/components.

Might be totally off on that one... but that's just what I was taught.

scottw

Good point -- Yes, even the owner's manual recommends 10 miles in 4WD EACH MONTH to make sure all front drive components are lubed. You're right, if the owner didn't even know how to put it into 4WD then no telling how long it has been without use.

Jomoka

It's probably not *such* a big deal on a 3rd gen, though, because there aren't any auto-locking hubs on the frotn wheels. So even if it's been in 2WD since it rolled out of the factory, the front CV shafts and front diff have been turning the whole time. I guess the front driveshaft doesn't turn, but it doesn't really have splash-oiled bearings in it, just the greased u-joints.

yotallycrazy

Not to be rude,but you guys didn't answer a single question I asked.the manual is very vague. That's why I turned to the forum.thanks

Jomoka

Page 110 (page 16 of the pdf, 11 from the original manual) of the link from above ( http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/docum...04runom/16.pdf ) is pretty clear on it. Doesn't seem vague at all.

Lever up and to the left: With the '4WD' button in, it's H4 AWD mode - center diff unlocked. With the button out, it's H2 - 2WD mode.
You can use either mode on dry pavement, you might pick up a half mpg with 4WD off, though.

Lever back - it's H4 4WD mode - locked center diff. Only used on lower traction surfaces, otherwise the drivetrain will bind in corners. The 4WD button doesn't do anything here.

Lever forward and to the right - 4L mode. Low range, locked diff. For off roading situations where you're going very slowly. The 4Wd button doesn't do anything here either.