Hi Guys,

I have a '94 4x4 V6 5-Spd. Man, I LOVE this truck! But one thing that frustrated me since I have owned it is the lack of a 2x4 Low gear. On my gearbox, I have the options for 2x4H, 4x4H, N and 4x4L. Sometime, when towing a heavy load on dry pavement (I stop to help stranded motorists) I would like to not tourture my clutch, but rather have a low gear to have good towing power.

A few days ago while driving through Yellowstone Park, I went to switch into 4x4 on the icy road and the truck would have none of it. Overnight temperatures dropped to 0F and something down there must have frozen.

Trying to force the matter, I decided to switch into 4x4L. The truck did go into low gear, but it did not feel like the front end was engaged - I was in 2x4L!! Playing with the shifter a bit more, I finally got the switch to un-freeze and set into 4x4H as desired. But this gave me an idea - what if I had an electric actuator that would simulate the freezing condition and allow me to enter 2x4L mode?

Thoughts?

 

Do you have manual hubs or ADD (automatic disconnecting diff) hubs?

 

With hubs unlocked, it's easy to get 2L.
I do it all the time to pull stuff.

 

I have the ADD and I have thought in the past to "retrofit" the locking hubs... That may be the answer in the long term because I also want to add a locking front diff. Without the locking hubs, I am looking at $1500+ for a push-button system, whereas with the ability to disconnect the hubs, I can use the TorSen like I have in the back and it ran me $800.

That said, how much would a locking hub retrofit cost me? Where could I get the parts?

Also, if I elected to not go this route, is there a way to keep my exiting setup from engaging the center diff while in Low range gear?

 

around 100-200$ for the asin hubs depending on condition.. yada yada. The parts? at a salvage yard or there are a couple people selling sets on here.

 

Another option is converting to twin sticks.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/twin_stick/

 

There really isn't anything to "retrofit" - get yourself a set of AISIN manual hubs (either from a wrecking yard or someone selling them), unbolt the ADD hub flange (keep as trail spare - that's what I do, but probably never needed) and bolt on the AISIN manuals. Leave unlocked to get 2low when locked you'll still have the shift on the fly ability...