4WD issue

So some months ago I changes the front actuator on my Tundra because it was not activating. After I changed it out it worked as it is supposed to and the 4WD button stays on and not flashes but it still seems as if the 4WD is not engaging still. I took it out to see if maybe there was an issue inside of the part but it still activates when the button is pushed. If the 4WD is engaged the wheels will make it feel like you are fighting the steering wheel when on dry pavement? The 4WD low also lights up and stays lit as well. I did not change the actuator back by the transfer case since it still activates when you select the 4WD buttons. Could there be something else I am missing?
Thanks

 

When you say it seems as if it's not actuating, what do you mean? It either is or it isn't. I would start by verifying if it is working or not. Loose gravel and a friend to lookout for wheel slip front and rear with 4hi engaged or up on jack stands (a little sketchier). You should know for sure if 4Lo is working. There is no mistaking the dramatic reduction in gearing.

 

What I mean is you can hear the actuators engage when the 4WD button is pushed but it does not seem like the 4 wheel is actually working. I put it into 4 wheel low and it definitely feels like something is working. The truck feels like it has more power for lack of a better way of describing it. Last year when we had snow after I fixed the front actuator the truck did not drive any different traction wise. I did jack up the vehicle over the summer with all 4 wheels off the ground and only the real wheels moved. Hope this helps my explanation.

 

Your description sounds as if the transfer case is working, but the front diff isn't. Start by troubleshooting the front diff actuator?

 

The front actuator is the one that I changed a few months back. When I was diagnosing the issues with the 4WD it was the front one that was bad, it is still working but I do seem to have any 4 wheel activity. I may end up having to take it to a 4WD shop to see if they can find the problem, just hate paying a shop for something I can probably fix myself if I can figure it out.

 

I would probably jack up all wheels again and have someone look from the side underneath to see if the driveshaft from the transfer case to the front diff is actually rotating or not to help see what is happening.

 

I am having literally the same issues you are down to the T. (stuck in snow, no lights flashing, audible noise / gear shift for 4-low, but no front wheel spin with 4-high) Did you end up taking it into a shop? What was the diagnoses? Right now I am faced with determining how and if my front actuator is the issue as well.

 

Read this thread with the exact same title, from the last two weeks or so:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/4wd-issues.119382/#post-3081795

 

I actually did jack up all the wheels at the time but the front wheels did not turn when in 4WD. I was not sure what was wrong with it. I ended up trading this truck in back in November 2021. I upgraded to a 2014 Tundra. The reason for the trade in was more related to rust on the underside of the 2004 I had. The body was decent for the most part. The cab corners were going to need to be redone and was going to cost close to 2500 so it was decided that it was time to go and get something a little newer and less body issues. I am happy with my decision. Plus the newer truck has the 5.7 liter.