Concern about 4WD

I admit I am spoiled since all my recent vehicles have had AWD. We just got snow here in northern Minnesota so I have been using my 1794 4WD. Even on slippery surfaces and with very modest turning the vehicle jerks like the wheels aren't fully engaged. Not at all smooth like my other AWD vehicles have been. I engage 4WD when stopped, the flashing signal goes to solid 4WD. Am I supposed to be doing something in addition? It is a very pronounced jerking. If driving straight ahead it does not do that

 

It jerks because it’s binding. You had too much traction on the surface you were on. It was working correctly. It can break a CV axle. Read up on the differences between 4WD and AWD.

 

I know that could be the problem however when this happens i am on very slippery compacted snow and the turn is not very much. really the surface is very slippery even to the point that walking has to be done carefully.

 

If the 4WD light was solid, it should be working. That sounds like normal symptoms of turning in a 4WD with it engaged.

 

Amazed on how many recent '22 threads I've seen about this. 4x4, is not AWD, and is working how it should. Have a great day

 

Could be more helpful (if 4WD is overkill) to put a couple hundred pounds in the bed over the rear wheels. The added weight will assist with 'grabbing' the road.

 

Tire technology has increased so much over the past 10-15 years it seems to be making 4wd only necessary for really tough spots.

 

Is this a 3rd gen issue? I keep seeing posts about binding in 4wd. Either the 3rd gen has a very 'sensitive' drivetrain (?) Or there are a lot of new 4x4 owners who aren't used to 4x4s and don't know the different feels of light binding and full-on lock to lock turns on dry pavement?

 

I'm going to guess it's primarily people who think AWD or 4A are interchangeable with 4H and don't understand how it works, or when 4H is actually needed.

 

But there was snow on the ground…

 

Perhaps. Not trying to stir the pot or ridicule anyone. Genuinely interested. There are quite a few opinions posted about toyota adding AWD to Tundra over 4wd, which I can't wrap my head around when talking about trucks.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2AYnZVsTv4

 

I'm not either, I'm being purely objective. Almost every case of it being reported on here (not all), the user was engaging 4H on dry cement or other close to zero slip environments.

I would be adamantly against "replacing" 4H with AWD on trucks, but Ford (and possibly GM) have the correct answer which is 4H and 4Auto. I always use 4A on my Raptor when in wet or slippery conditions without any binding concerns and almost instant traction when slipping, and can opt for 4H or 4L in more severe environments with the torsen front diff working wonders as well (not like an actual locker, but better than nothing). It's amazing Toyota didn't implement it with this update to me..

 

Nobody is condoning replacing 4wd with awd. What people want is both, which is completely possible. Look up the full-time 4wd transfer case that has been in the 4Runner, Lexus GX, 1st and 2nd Gen Sequoia, Land Cruiser, etc for a solid 20 years. You get 2wd, unlocked 4hi, locked 4Hi, unlocked 4lo, and locked 4Lo in one transfer case. When its unlocked(Full-time 4wd) it utilized a torsen limited slip center differential to send the power to the axle with the most traction.

I almost never engage locked 4hi or 4lo in my GX. It doesnt need it. The torsen differential is good enough for 99% of situations that anyone would ever encounter in normal driving to not need it locked. I've even lifted tires off the ground and still pulled through the obstacle without locking it.

Oh and the other awesome benefit is unlocked 4Lo. Its awesome for moving trailers around when you're on pavement. You get the benefit of the gear reduction from 4Lo without the binding. I use it to park my trailer in my side yard all the time without ripping up my lawn or binding on the street while manuvering.

 

Even AWD vehicles like Audi will bind up when the steering wheel is cranked all the way left or right. It all depends on the system. Audi uses torsen center diffs which can act to lock the front and rear prop shafts. And that’s exactly what’s happening in your Tundra, the front and rear prop shafts are locked together because there is no center differential.

 

You don't need 4wd unless u have ice or couple inches of snow on a paved road. What you are thinking of is AWD systems (Subaru) where you have an automatic transfer case and a computer decides which tires need traction.

 

So I’m the only one who turns traction control off and plays the soundtrack to “FF: Tokyo Drift”?

 

It sounds like you’re taking to tight of turns. If there’s some compact snow and you want 4WD engaged, take less tight turns