Well I got my 4Runner stuck in a muddy ravine in woods, it was pitch black out. I put it in reverse to back it and nothing but wheel spin, I may have been able to rock it forward then back it out but I was going to risk going in further in the dark. I also thought maybe the rear locker would get it out but I said fuggit I had a campsite to setup so I just put 'er in 4WD w/ center diff locked and she pulled right out of it. I have to say I see the benefit of a locker now because even in 4WD I was getting a lot of wheel spin at first. That was the 2nd time I've ever put my 4Runner in 4WD and the 1st time I really needed it. The things a beast, the 4wd adds some nice peace of mind to make trips out into the unknown. Of course I rode my mountain bike through the same ravine the next day with no problems so it wasn't that bad.

 

Congrats.... But you need to get out more. I use 4WD on a daily basis pretty much.

 

You should probably put it in 4wd monthly, just to get the gears lubed & used regularly.

 

Amen to that.... Throw it in 4wd ..... and even 4 low now and then just to keep everything lubed and ready for when you do need it. Think of it like aging muscles.... if you don't use them they're gonna take a crap on ya down the road.... yeah i guess that's hard to compare to a drivetrain.... ah well