New to 4X4! how do you use the gearbox?

[snowwolf]

I am new to 4X4 and my first car is the Surf, a 1992 auto 2.4. what I want to know is how do you use the gearbox? how do you have it set for normal road use? can all this be done while the car is on motion, I know all this sounds stupid, but it is the first 4X4 I have owned.....regards Mick

[Koi]

I am new to 4X4 and my first car is the Surf, a 1992 auto 2.4. what I want to know is how do you use the gearbox? how do you have it set for normal road use? can all this be done while the car is on motion, I know all this sounds stupid, but it is the first 4X4 I have owned.....regards Mick

Not sure on an auto i have a manual but whatever you do dont stick it in 4 wheel drive on the road or you will cause some serious damage.
Over to someone with an auto.

[high-surfer]

Sure others will reply too but hear are the basics. As a general rule try not to cahnge between high and low whilst movng. You need to have the auto box in neutral to cahnge between high and low. Going between 2 and 4 wheel drive is done on the button on the side of the transfer box stick. I've put my hilux in some serious situations and I havent yet really needed 4L yet, but its good for racing boy racers from 0-20. The red button on the autobox shifter is to take the box out of park with the engine off(for maintenance etc). The ECT button is like sports mode almost, it holds the box in gear longer. Oh and dont use 4wd on the road for prolonged periods or you are likely to do some serious damage to transmision and running gear. Happy surfing

[TonyN]

H2 for all road work except snow or really slippery surfaces.

H4 for snow, loose surfaces, ice, mud, offroad situations.

L4 for maximun torque in extreme situations.

[laser_jock99]

Your set up may be more like this.....

[icsys]

Selecting 4WD and Hi - Lo is very confusing (I haven't even tried it yet!)


:Confused:

[Ems and Jim]

H2 for all road work except snow or really slippery surfaces.

H4 for snow, loose surfaces, ice, mud, offroad situations.

L4 for maximun torque in extreme situations.

Tony, what is that book for ? Which model I mean ? All the auto's I've seen have the 2 / 4 switch in the gearhandle and just H -> N -> L4.

And a word of welcome & warning to Mick ........ dont leave the the transfer handle in the 'N' (middle position) as this will disconnect all the wheels from the gearbox..... so Park won't work and the car can roll away There is a light on the dash to warn you of this... just can't remember which one - think it says A/T something..... loads of use me eh ??

The book I got with our car is different from both Tony's & Jock's..... will scan some pics of my version 2morrow - therefore confusing everyone totally !!!!!!!
Happy surfing !!

Jim

[Guest]

Tony, what is that book for ? Which model I mean ? All the auto's I've seen have the 2 / 4 switch in the gearhandle and just H -> N -> L4.

And a word of welcome & warning to Mick ........ dont leave the the transfer handle in the 'N' (middle position) as this will disconnect all the wheels from the gearbox..... so Park won't work and the car can roll away There is a light on the dash to warn you of this... just can't remember which one - think it says A/T something..... loads of use me eh ??

The book I got with our car is different from both Tony's & Jock's..... will scan some pics of my version 2morrow - therefore confusing everyone totally !!!!!!!
Happy surfing !!

Jim

Jim.

Tony's is a UK 4Runner. The transfer selection is different on that.

On Mine (probably the same as yours), change into 4WD up to 60kph using the button on the side of the transfer lever. Can't use this on the road, only on loose surfaces otherwise you get Diff wind up. You can't change into Low ratio without stopping though. Stop the car, engage Neutral on the Autobox, move transfer lever from HI to LOW (2 notches forward, i.e from high to neutral and neutral to LOW).

I am reasonably sure that whether you have 4wd selected or not, LOW will engage it automatically (not sure but I think so).

Basically you have 3 options
1. 2WD High - normal road use
2. 4WD High - normal off road use
3. 4WD low - for crawling, ie. maximum torque and control on slopes and really slippy stuff.

Neutral on the transfer case is of no use at all, just a throwback to the days of power take offs for winches and the like - don't think you can even get a power take off for the Toyota transfer case.

Cheers

[gemini]

I am reasonably sure that whether you have 4wd selected or not, LOW will engage it automatically (not sure but I think so).
thats correct andy

[Draig]

got the same motor - on mine banging it into Lo - engages 4WD automatically (shows on the dash lights) hth

[Ems and Jim]

More confusion.

The manual we have is 'allegedly' a direct tranlation of the Jap one.

It refers to our 1993 / 4 2.4 Surf Auto. How it works and where to use the 4wd gears.


Hope its a help.

Jim

[TonyN]

Neutral on the transfer case is of no use at all, just a throwback to the days of power take offs for winches and the like - don't think you can even get a power take off for the Toyota transfer case.

Cheers

Andy, this is a great feature, you select it before letting mates borrow the truck, them you all sit around laughing as they try all the gears, rev it, check the handbrake, look confused, etc.

Alsl doubles up as an extra immobiliser.

[TonyN]

Tony, what is that book for ? Which model I mean ? All the auto's I've seen have the 2 / 4 switch in the gearhandle and just H -> N -> L4.

Jim

Right, I knew the import manual gearboxes where different to UK ones, with the electrionic 4WD selection and just H-L on the lever, but thought the Auto were the same as UK ones, obviously not.

Carry on..............

[snowwolf]

Thanks guys for the help!!

Thanks for the help guys on the gearbox questions, I suppose I better do some pics of mine to go with the rest of you, are there lots of these that have trouble with the head cracking? on the rocker cover mine has two numbers done in black marker pen (5.8 and 6.8) anyone know what they might be for?

[marky]

try this