I have a question regarding my 90 model 4x4. Have never had a 4x4 before so there is a lot I don't know. When I'm in 4WD in low gear and making a sharp turn it will drag the rear wheels. It feels like the emergency brake is on. Someone told me it may have a differential lock in it and if I understood correctly it was to make it work like posi-traction????? There is no grinding but you have to give it some rpms to break it loose. Need ya'lls advice. Thanks.

 

Does this occur on the pavement? There is going to be some bind up when driving on hard surfaces. There is no center diff on 4x4 systems which is what makes it different then a AWD setup. On 4x4 system there is no way for the front wheels to spin at a different speed then the back, so when turning this causes a binding problem. On dirt or slick surfaces its not an issue since the wheels can slide abit to take off the binding. This is probably what yo have going on

 

why are you running 4 lo on pavement and making sharp turns anyway?? If i ever use 4 lo its for pulling my buddies jeep out of the ditch

 

I wasn't in 4lo I meant I was in low gear and in 4hi. The reason I was on pavement is because I pulled out of the dirt onto my driveway. That is when it happened. Like I said I'm learning. That answers my question and it makes sense. Thanks.

 

Yeah.. Basic rule, we have part-time 4wd so do NOT drive in 4wd on pavement.

Full-time 4wd has a center differential which allows you do drive on pavement. (And lock or unlock the center diff as needed usually)

 

Got it. Good advice. I feel much better knowing it was operator error and not some multi-dollar fix.

 

and from what I have been reading if you drive on the pavement in 4x4 mode your truck will burst into flames. Just use caution!

 

Yikes. Thanks. It will not happen again.

 

4Wd operation, to my knowledge is covered in the owners manual (and or on the glove box or sun visor)... What ever you do... DO NOT READ IT!!!

It's a trap, and laced with mind altering information... If you read it, you WILL burst into flames.

 

You know what? I bought this truck used about a week ago and it has 220,000 miles on it. I looked all through that glove box. I still haven't found the owner's manual. Are you sure it's in there? Like I said in an earlier reply, I turned from an off road surface onto my driveway when I noticed the "binding". I have not been driving on the hwy in 4wd. Since I did not have an owner's manual I thought I would ask the question on this forum.

 

This forum is a good place for it, and you posted in the right location.

Belatedly, welcome to Yotatech!

4x4 on pavement is acceptable if you need it, don't be scared to engage it if you need to (ice, snow, etc.). What the previous posters are trying to say is that you don't want to leave it in 4x4 during normal, daily driving. Pulling off the dirt onto the highway probably won't make your vehicle spontaneously combust. That being said, your handling characteristics will be different with 4x4 engaged, notably during tight turns (like your driveway to the road). This is normal, and has to do with the fact that your front wheels normally "free-wheel", allowing them to spin at different speeds. This is important, as your wheels rotate at different speeds when you turn.

Unless the vehicle has been modified, you probably don't have a locking rear diff. If you did have a stock locker, it would be an e-locker, for this year you would have a button on the dash that says "differential lock", or some such.

 

Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. With a used vehicle you fear the worst. This is my first experience with a 4x4 and I have already learned a lot. So far I've installed a heater core, plug wires, plugs, rotor, dist. cap, rebuilt speedometer head, thermostat, radiator cap and I'm about to take on timing belt replacement. Last night I had to put a new radiator in my 1995 Tacoma 2wd that has 288,000 miles on it. I'm glad to know I can get on this forum and find step by step instructions, get questions answered and sometimes find photos on repairs as was the case with the heater core. I'm looking for something I enjoy doing when I retire in another year or so and fixing up and selling older trucks may be it. We'll see. Thanks again.

 

Just for S&G, here are links to more info about lockers, if you want more info on how they work and what types are available:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f31/locker-faq-43572/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f31/...legends-51513/