Max speed in 4Lo?

Took my 4Runner on some dirt roads and decided to try 4Lo for the first time. I started off going slow and then got up to about 15-20 mph for a short stretch of about 100 yards before the gear whine got loud enough that I decided to back off and come to a stop to switch to 4Hi. I’m new to owning a 4x4 and didn’t see anything in the owners manual regarding max speed in 4 wheel drive. So it got me curious, is there a max speed I should adhere to while in 4Lo? How fast have you gone before in 4Lo and is it possible I could have damaged anything by going that fast?

 

Not trying to be a smart a$$ but if you have the Toyota manual it should tell you. I maybe wrong but I thought I read somewhere 5-10 mph but that might be Crawl Control. I’m not a pro but it’s probably something I should know so I’ll probably pull out the manual and read it.

 

Technically, you're limited by the maximum RPM of your engine, not the transmission or transfer case. That said, 4Lo is for crawling along at low speeds of less than 5 or 10 MPH. That's well below redline on your tachometer.

 

4lo should really not exceed 10-15mph max. 4hi should be between 50-55mph.

 

I'm interested to see where you get that info.

In part time 4wd systems I only know for 2 different speeds to change from 2H -> 4H ->2H. I never heard on any max speed you can drive in 4H.

For fulltime 4wd system I haven't seen any speed limit to engage / dis engage center diff and again haven't heard of any max speed you can drive in H4F / H4L.

For 4L of cause you need a complete stop but haven't found any speed limit.

Love to see if anyone know where in 4Runner manual it says max speed you can drive in 4H & max speed you can drive in 4L.

 

Yeah, when the weather gets really bad here, on the highways, i'm driving in 4HI with no issues. Just have to remember to shift it back to 2WD (if you're part time) before making a right or left 90 degree or more turn...

Cheers,

Sean

 

I just watch my tach, and common sense.

 

Look on your visor.

 

Alas, some of us can be a smart a$$ without trying. OP said he looked in the manual.

@nodents2017: congratulations on your first foray into 4 low. Wasn’t it fun? I remember my first time (cue the dream music) way back in 1985. And its just as fun today. Sometimes the experience can be enhanced with some appropriate music, like the soundtrack from “Predator”.

 

There’s no mention of a max speed for 4Lo on the visor.

 

Yup my bad didn’t see he looked at the manual.

 

Got distracted by everyone talking about 4HI.

Not even sure why anyone would want to get to the max speed in 4 LO.

 

I had to LOL on this ^^^

 

This ^

 

Many moons ago when I was more of an ass and someone said the locker would grenade above 5mph. This was in my 2010 Tacoma. So basically you can go any speed but as you can see your revs will be high. I wouldn't hit high speed for an extended period just to save the engine from high revs. I don't normally take low speed trails though and only use low for steep inclines so I just shift back into high.

https://youtu.be/q41tZstVtJU

 

I know the advantage of using 4lo over 4hi when going slow/crawling as it changes the gear ratio but I didn't know that 4hi was bad for the truck at lower speeds.

Why is that?

 

You build up heat if you're slipping the convertor all the time.

 

My Servicing Toyota Manager warned me never to use 4LO. (under any condition) Just last week.
NB - Am a newbie to PartTime 4WD

 

That's a sign not to go there again.

 

You should definitely be more educated in it before messing around. Practice shifting into it and understand that you will have binding when turning (common question) and low range is a massive gear reduction. Nothing is done for you so you have to pay attention to what the vehicle is telling you.

 

Interesting that you reached the same conclusion as myself..
I went back to correct a oil leak after the tech somehow managed to drench my skid plate with oil (first 10k service).

 

That’s a sign that the service manager either doesn’t understand the 4WD system and can’t explain it to you, or he does understand it, but thinks you’re too stupid to understand it if he explains it to you.

Probably the former.

 

Apologies. I think our wires are crossed. I meant to defend you. Not insult you.

 

Perhaps he meant while on the street??

 

If you ask the service manager why he said that, that may also shed some light. Working in the last at a Honda dealership with the service department, you’d be surprised how many owners are clueless about their vehicle … honestly. I’ve seen people own a car for years only to say at one point “I had no idea.” I’m referring to how to open the hood, how to change a wiper blade, how to put the rear seats done in a car. Engaging their auto headlights, how to use variable intermittent wipers, not use their parking brake. Working at Nissan in late 90’s when their Pathfinder was good rig, the amount of customers that tried to force them into 4Lo while not in Neutral or even while moving, getting angry stating it’s useless.

It’s probably easier to tell the average owner “don’t use this”, as people don’t listen when picking up their vehicle tool all the features and technical bits … just too excited to get it on the ride to drive it home.

But we all know on this board to throw it in there once a month so things don’t seize from a lack of use.

 

Wow I had to watch that multiple times because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. How well did your Tacoma hold up after that? I think my RPMs got up to around 3k when I was in 4Lo and it was only for a few seconds so it’s nothing compared to what you did in that video.

 

I started off in D but then switched to manual mode and bumped it up to 4th gear. Never changed my diff fluid, it’s only got about 2500 miles on it.

 

Me on 4L full send