Is there any benefit to street driving a 2nd gen in 4wd with front hubs unlocked? (only lock front hubs offroad) when climbing hills it seems easier in 4wd, is this b/c gearing is different/lower? seems really nice in 4wd w/front hubs unlocked, is this just in my mind? thanks!

 

Why would you street drive in 4x4? You will actually lose gas mileage, becuase there will be more mass to turn. Not the mention the unnecessary wear on the drivetrain.

4hi is a 1:1 ratio, just like 2hi. 4lo is the only gear with any sort of reduction. So its just your mind.

 

x2, just your head. However being able to use 4lo (hubs unlocked) on the street can be VERY handy

 

thanks DeathCougar and Jay, good to know that driving in 4hi on the street isn't really the best...
I swear that it feels much more 'solid' somehow, there's definitely a difference in my mind but that's prob. just my imagination working
also thanks for telling me that the ratios are 1-1 in 2hi and 4hi alike, did not know that, thought that 4wd=lower gear, no matter hi or lo
so, the lower gears that Marlin sells for the xfer case, are these only changing the 4LO or do they affect 4HI too

jay 4lo hubs unlocked on the street, only for steep hills or other times?

 

You have to be going under 5mph to shift into 4lo. You can use it at any time, hubs locked or otherwise. Guys often use it to launch boats, as it gives you much greater control of the vehicle without having to clutch it the whole time.

The gears that marlin sells will only affect 4lo. 4hi is a straight through 1:1 gear ratio that merely engages the front driveline.

 

Yes. I usually use if it I have to hop a big curb or median. Great when backing up something, you don't have to worry about stalling. Or when starting off on steep hills with a load.

 

thanks guys! time to experiment with 4lo on some hills

 

These guys have it right. There is zero gearing in high range. It isn't possible to re-gear high range on a toy case. When you are in high range, you're transmission is directly connected to the rear driveshaft flange, there aren't any gears involved.

 

OK so- the only purpose of 4HI is when front hubs are locked, rear does not change, hope I have that right.
and, 4LO, we get the benefit of lower gearing in the rear AND (if hubs are locked) front.

seems like 4LO beats the %^&^ out of 4HI. I should know this but the only purpose of 4HI is to be driving high speed in a low trction environment? (snowy highway etc)?

just out of curiosity, I am geared 4.88, what kind of gearing will I have in 4LO (equivalent of 5.29, or lower?) what is max speed in 4LO, is the toy xfer case low gearing considered to be good (is this even considered crawling) or do you have to regear 4LO to call it crawling

 

You can't dive around daily in 4WD you will screw your truck up. 4WD is on;y for short periods of time. Long periods will were it out. Espesially at high speeds.
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95 Toyota 4runner SR5 V6 3.0 Automatic 4x4 150,000 Miles

 

no.

4hi is just that. High range, 4wd. No gear reduction, all you have done is engage the front end.

4hi is for driving fast in low traction environments, such as snow, sand, or dirt.

if you have a 4.88 diff, and a manual tranny, you have a 44:1 final drive ration at the wheels in low range.

You can call whatever you want crawling. There isn't a rule. Toyota low ranges are a little high, but not bad. My truck also has a 44:1 ratio, but also a 96:1 ratio, and a 206:1 ratio, with my dual cases. I use them all regularly.

 

Not true.

In the winter, i routinely run my truck around in 4wd, sometimes daily. I also run it at 60mph in 4wd. Its got 290,000 miles and is running strong.

 

sounds dumb..i know...but READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL!


its all in there

 

Excellent. That is EXACTLY what you should do.

 

Thats what i meant by short term. Ya in the winter its good. I mean like EVERY SINGLE DAY OF YOUR TRUCKS LIFE. You will wear it out. Its actually good to put it in 4WD everyonce in a while to get the fluids flowing and more less stretch its legs. But not every day of your life. You just can't. Trust me if your doing it daily your wearing it a bit. Unless you have never done it before and just started. Its alot of stress on your engine and t-case tranny.
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95 Toyota 4runner SR5 V6 3.0 4x4 Automatic 150,000 Miles

 

thanks guys! I have my owner's manual out here and it's surprisingly good!! I used to think these were just poorly translated useless 'here's where the gas goes' books- this one has good information. Thanks again for the info on this thread tho esp. about the stock crawl ratio and applications for using 4LO.
I am going to experiment more with 4LO this week should be fun w/the truetracs in the wet/mud roads of the olympics (going camping)

 

yotatech saves the day...once again