Monthly 4wd

So I’m new to 4x4 part time vehicles and I was unaware you are supposed to be driving in 4H and 2L on a monthly basis to keep everything running good (as well as the differential). I saw this actually on another recent post. I’ve had the truck 11 months and took it off roading about 9 months ago so that was the last time.

So on our trip home today from CA, I found a gravel off road area and put it in 4H for about 2 minutes, only turning when I ran out of room and going in a circle. Then I stopped, put it in 2L in neutral, turned on the rear differential to lock, and started doing the same under 5MPH. However, it then would not go out of 2L and the differential light came on flashing. I tried going into neutral to get it to switch back to 4H. A smell could be easily noticed as well, almost like burning. I eventually got it back in 4H by putting in neutral and letting it roll without brake for a minute. The differential came off then too.

What is the correct way to do this? Is that smell normal(guessing no)? Did I damage something do you think? I had to turn when I ran out of area to go so I feel like that damaged it too. Any insight or help is appreciated. Moving forward I want to know the correct way and will be doing it monthly.

 

Search is your friend

https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-often-to-you-engage-4wd.150550/

 

Right, that thread is actually where I got the idea. I’m asking specifically what is the correct way to do it as I feel the burning smell wasn’t normal? Or was it because I don’t use it often?

 

I'm assuming you mean 4hi and 4Lo, not 2Lo.

 

the biggest thing to do when new to these systems, is do all shifting and driving while in a straight line.

The tight turns really put stress on things when the ground is not super slippery like mud and ice.

when Im doing my maintenance shifts, I also just get going and take my foot off the gas and let it shift with no acceleration load and hit the gas once its shifted for a bit, and then take foot off gas and shift back out and into 2H. if you want to exercise 4Lo, get in a spot where you can just shift and get in a straight line.

if things get stuck or wont shift easy or you feel any binding at all, LET OFF and straighten out.

Also, reverse in a straight line can get it to shift if it gets a little "stuck" or slow.

 

Our boy got that front dig option

 

Twin sticks

 

Read your owners manual. It's all in there!

 

Buy a boat and launch it off a mossy boat ramp. You can learn a lot about 4 lo in a short period of time.

 

been there done that brother , like I didn’t know my truck could Crabwalk , ha!

 

Yes lol. See, very inexperienced lol


It’s funny that I did what the manual said and it wouldn’t shift out of 4L. It just kept flashing at me until I let off the brake and let the vehicle roll a little. So I guess the manual is a little wrong…?