I have searched, so hold your breath.

This is my first 4wd vehicle, and I'm just wondering what I can do for the upkeep of the 4wd system.

From what I gathered through the search is that the 4wd should be used for 10 miles out of a month. I got that part.

And it can be either from locking the hubs and leaving the vehicle in 2 high, or from keeping the hubs unlocked, and driving in 4 high.
Will either of these 2 options damage my truck in any way?

I am also aware that I should have the fluids in the diffs drained/flushed/filled, as well with the transmission/transfer case, and have my shafts lubed ( ). The front and rear driveshafts have no play .

If I'm wrong about anything, or if there's anything that should be added, let me know, as I don't want to punish the truck anymore then I already am .

Thanks in advance guys/gals.

*Edit* It's an 88 4runner, 4wd 5 speed.

 

Don't forget the T-case. drain and fill with the proper fluid.

And never ever run in 4wd on a dry hard surface.

 

i'd say just run a few miles every month with the hubs locked. it'll still spin everything in the diff and driveshaft, so it'll keep everything lubed.

other than that, there's not a whole lot of regular maintenance necessary.

 

Cool, thanks guys.

 

HOw do you lock the hubs?

 

If you have manual locking hubs, you just get out, go up to the front tires and look at the hub. it will say free or locked. shift the dial on both front hubs to locked.

 

Don't forget about that often neglected blinker fluid. Though it is not 4wd maintenance, it still is important maintenance.

 

i dont have any dial on my hubs, so im guessing its automatic locking? i have a 99' SR5 4x4 with elocker

 

you've got permanant drive flanges and with a vaccum/electric(not sure which on late rigs) disconnecting differential.

 

Does it matter if the transfer case is in 2Hi or 4Hi? Will all the parts that need to get lubed do so in 2Hi with the hubs locked?

Troy

 

To use 4-wheel drive, your hubs must be locked and you must be shifted into 4-hi or 4-lo (depending on the situation). NEVER do this on dry pavement! It IS ok to EITHER lock your hubs and leave it in 2-hi OR leave the hubs unlocked and run in 4-hi occasionally to keep everything lubed.

Most people that I talk to lock their hubs and run in 2-hi instead of staying unlocked and in 4-hi.

Sidenote. You can leave your hubs unlocked and run in 4-lo, BUT BE AWARE! 4-lo gives a gear reduction. You CAN NOT drive at any signifcant speed in 4-lo; 30mph is really pushing it and could hurt your entire drivetrain! The ONLY time I do this is if I'm 'recovering' someone on a dry hard surface. There really is no other reason to use 4-lo on pavement.