sorry for the dumb question im still trying to figure out how the auto trannys work.. so in an auto 98 4runner what does putting it in 4lo do vs being in 4 hi and in 1st gear... also y does putting it in 1st gear or low provide more torque to the wheels as opposed to just having it in drive?...doesnt it start in 1st anyway? im just a little confused on this one

 

usually all automatics start off in first gear
the higher mechanical gear ratio on the low side (4lo) increase torque and acceleration and slows down vehicle speed for a given rpm. opposite for the high side(4 hi)
which side to use depends on terrain and traction

 

4 low, more torque. When you put it in the low gear, it will hold it in that gear. When you put it in drive it will shift through the gears.

 

so i still dont think my question was answered but thanks for trying your input does help its starting to become clear

 

Think about how the engine,transmission and transfer case are set up; engine then transmission then the transfer case. Engine makes the raw torque, then the transmission multiplies it by whatever gear it is in. Then that torque goes into the transfer case, high range is generally a 1:1 ratio, so whatever torque goes in goes out. But in low range, you get a further torque multiplication by that low range gear. Not sure what low range is on an automatic t-case, but typical are 2.28:1 or 2.56:1, so you get that much more torque in low range than in high range. Tradeoff is speed, you also go 2.x times slower in low range than high range.

Bottom line is low in the transmission is low gear. Add in low range (4L) and you are in low-low gear.

 

how about something less scientific
The way i see it is when you put your truck in 4hi i guess youd say its a high speed 4 wheel drive. Your putting power to all 4 wheels in a high gear. This will allow you to go faster and will allow you to have power to all wheels(until you realize you dont have lockers and one wheel is in the air)
Now 4lo... This is what i like to call the tractor gear. When your in this gear you stay in first because... the gearing is so damn low your really pushing the engine to go more than 10 mph. With gearing that low your engine will have to work far less to turn your tires. That means more torque. get it? Think of it as a step below first gear... its a granny gear

So example... you have a giant hill ahead. dirt is pact tight so no traction will be lost. If you dont have a powerful engine and your in 4hi your rpms could get to low and stall you out. or you might not have enough power to get up. solution? 4lo. you sacrafice your speed for torque. Your gearing will be put much lower and in turn you get more power put into your wheels. The engine can turn much easier so your rpms will stay happy

When you have a decent engine the differences arnt so bad... but when you have a bone stock 4 banger and 31 in tires 4lo will get you alot more places than 4hi will... Slow and steady!

 

You can shift to other gears in 4Lo just like if the t-case was in 4hi or 2wd. I will drive in 4th or 5th gear between obsticals (if they arent too far apart) in 4Lo with 4.7 gears in a single case. It will do about 20-25 mph in 5th.

 

ah i get the gist now thanks alot