2012 4Runner 4 Wheel Drive Backing Up

I was recently in the mountains and drove up an inclined (10% Grade) asphalt driveway. I started to turn around and had to do a three point turn. moving forward and almost facing downhill the front tires went off the pavement and dropped about 4 inches. I didn't think anything about it and put the car in reverse but the car wouldn't move. I floored the car and the engine increased in speed but the car still didn't move. I put the car in neutral and switched into 4 wheel drive low and tried to back up after the differential locked in. Still the same result the engine increased but the car wouldn't move. I put the car in drive and went forward through the grass and back on the pavement. I took the car out of low gear and practiced moving forward and backwards and the car was fine. I have owned the vehicle for three years and have never had a problem. All differentials and transmission fluids have been changed over the last 7 months. Any ideas as to why the car wouldn't move???

 

Did it *try* to move, or was it more like it was in neutral? Did your dash light (4wd indicator) go on?

Usually, trying to put it in 4WD *after* you need it doesn't go very well. Best to turn on the 4wd before you need it. If your steering is cranked and suspension is loaded, that doesn't help. Best to be on flat level (ish) ground with the wheels straight.

I know with my 1st gen taco, it will *not* go into 4wd if my wheels are cranked.

Have you done much driving with it in 4WD before? Maybe try again, this time on more level ground.