4x4 owners? i have a question..

[degreeispimpin]

I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4wd and its automatic. According to the manual I have to set the free wheel hubs to lock everytime I want to engage 4wd? What a pita that is to get out of the car and turn it by hand, can I drive in locked position all the time in 2wd? What does free/locked mean? I know I should consult the manual but the manual does not go into detail on weather or not I can drive with it in locked or free in either 2wd or 4wd, any help is appreciated thanks.

 

[Soybomb]

I assume you have a transfer case with a shifter and you can select between 2wd and 4wd? If so I image its safe to leave them locked all the time, but you'll increase wear and lower gas mileage. I'd just leave them unlocked unless you anticipated needing them like in the winter or something.

 

[Luke1]

Don't drive with them locked all the time, it's bad for the vehicle. This is something that you will just have to do when you go offroad is to lock the hubs so you can switch to 4wd when needed, then unlock them when you are going back on the road.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I've always heard you can leave them locked but like Soybomb said it inreases wear and lowers gas mileage.

 

[degreeispimpin]

When it's locked, what exactly is locked?

 

[iamwiz82]

the axle shaft will be diconnected from the hub, thereby allowing it to spin freely when unlocked. Do not let it stay locked when on dry pavement. Things will break.

EDIT: Think of it has dicconecting the wheel from the axle.

 

[degreeispimpin]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
the axle shaft will be diconnected from the hub, thereby allowing it to spin freely when unlocked. Do not let it stay locked when on dry pavement. Things will break.

oh dear, according to the manual it says i'm supposed to drive it in locked for about 10 miles every month so things get lubricated, I know cars but this is the first time I have a 4wd vehicle so excuse me if I sound dumd but anyways, should I do this 10mile a month thing in dirt only? Should I only have the wheels locked when i'm in 4wd, not 2wd?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: degreeispimpin

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
the axle shaft will be diconnected from the hub, thereby allowing it to spin freely when unlocked. Do not let it stay locked when on dry pavement. Things will break.

oh dear, according to the manual it says i'm supposed to drive it in locked for about 10 miles every month so things get lubricated, I know cars but this is the first time I have a 4wd vehicle so excuse me if I sound dumd but anyways, should I do this 10mile a month thing in dirt only? Should I only have the wheels locked when i'm in 4wd, not 2wd?

Well, if you lock it in 2wd, your front wheels, axles, diff, and driveshaft will spin. They recommend 10 miles a month so your front diff gets lubricated. You can drive on cement, just dont make a habit of it. You will feel it tend to bind up alittle when you are driving. I suggest finding a dirt road, like you said.

 

[degreeispimpin]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: degreeispimpin

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
the axle shaft will be diconnected from the hub, thereby allowing it to spin freely when unlocked. Do not let it stay locked when on dry pavement. Things will break.

oh dear, according to the manual it says i'm supposed to drive it in locked for about 10 miles every month so things get lubricated, I know cars but this is the first time I have a 4wd vehicle so excuse me if I sound dumd but anyways, should I do this 10mile a month thing in dirt only? Should I only have the wheels locked when i'm in 4wd, not 2wd?

Well, if you lock it in 2wd, your front wheels, axles, diff, and driveshaft will spin. They recommend 10 miles a month so your front diff gets lubricated. You can drive on cement, just dont make a habit of it. You will feel it tend to bind up alittle when you are driving. I suggest finding a dirt road, like you said.

alrighty sounds good, thanks for the help can't find this info anywhere else.

 

[XMan]

Huh, I didn't realize they made 4X4s with manually locking hubs anymore . . .

My Durango ('00), my buddy Joe's F-150 ('03), my buddy Keith's new Ram ('03), and my buddy Steve's old Ram ('00) all have automatically locking hubs. Just throw the gearshift or push the button and you're in business . . .

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: X-Man
Huh, I didn't realize they made 4X4s with manually locking hubs anymore . . .

My Durango ('00), my buddy Joe's F-150 ('03), my buddy Keith's new Ram ('03), and my buddy Steve's old Ram ('00) all have automatically locking hubs. Just throw the gearshift or push the button and you're in business . . .

you usually have to drive a few feet to get them to lock. That is a common misconception that as soon as you hit the button they lock. What happens is that when the hubs detect that your front axles have power being applied they lock up. I have seen more than one person forget this and end up stuck in mud because they didnt rotate the wheels enough after placing it in 4wd.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: X-Man
Huh, I didn't realize they made 4X4s with manually locking hubs anymore . . .

My Durango ('00), my buddy Joe's F-150 ('03), my buddy Keith's new Ram ('03), and my buddy Steve's old Ram ('00) all have automatically locking hubs. Just throw the gearshift or push the button and you're in business . . .

you usually have to drive a few feet to get them to lock. That is a common misconception that as soon as you hit the button they lock. What happens is that when the hubs detect that your front axles have power being applied they lock up. I have seen more than one person forget this and end up stuck in mud because they didnt rotate the wheels enough after placing it in 4wd.

I realize that, I'm merely commenting that I don't have to get out of the car and do anything.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: X-Man

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: X-Man
Huh, I didn't realize they made 4X4s with manually locking hubs anymore . . .

My Durango ('00), my buddy Joe's F-150 ('03), my buddy Keith's new Ram ('03), and my buddy Steve's old Ram ('00) all have automatically locking hubs. Just throw the gearshift or push the button and you're in business . . .

you usually have to drive a few feet to get them to lock. That is a common misconception that as soon as you hit the button they lock. What happens is that when the hubs detect that your front axles have power being applied they lock up. I have seen more than one person forget this and end up stuck in mud because they didnt rotate the wheels enough after placing it in 4wd.

I realize that, I'm merely commenting that I don't have to get out of the car and do anything.

No problem, just sending some info out there

:beer:

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: X-Man
Huh, I didn't realize they made 4X4s with manually locking hubs anymore . . .

My Durango ('00), my buddy Joe's F-150 ('03), my buddy Keith's new Ram ('03), and my buddy Steve's old Ram ('00) all have automatically locking hubs. Just throw the gearshift or push the button and you're in business . . .

you usually have to drive a few feet to get them to lock. That is a common misconception that as soon as you hit the button they lock. What happens is that when the hubs detect that your front axles have power being applied they lock up. I have seen more than one person forget this and end up stuck in mud because they didnt rotate the wheels enough after placing it in 4wd.

Yep! Its funny to see people who think the second the button is pushed the hubs are locked. Better push that button BEFORE the big mudhole, or you may need a rope too!