Using the 4wd

This has probably been asked before but I'm new to the forum format. I have a 2018 4runner sr5. So my question is to my understanding you should be able to switch from 2h to 4h and back again at any speed. At least that's what the owners manual says. It seems to engage seamlessly when I got from 2h to 4h but when I try to go back again sometimes the 4wd light flashes for a few seconds and then you can really feel it go into 2wd. Sometimes it doesn't flash at me as long and shifts onto 2wd but you still feel it. It's like a clunk or a hard shift. It feels too hard for it to be normal operation. Like it makes me feel like I'm gonna break something if I keep doing it. Can anyone help me? Is it transfer case? What is it? Truck is still pretty new to me but I believe I'm using the 4wd correctly but that hard shift from 4h to 2h makes me really nervous. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

These threads are must reads: https://www.4runners.com/threads/rookie-needs-help.17421/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/questions-about-shifting-between-2wd-and-4wd.17439/


FYI: The noise you hear is normal. It's like racking a shotgun. We've all heard the noise. But rest assured, it's normal and nothing is breaking.

 

You have max shift speeds to shift into and out of 4wd.

You should be moving forward at some speed when trying for 4wd high. Let off the throttle a little to make the shift easier. Do the same for shifting out.

Low range is easiest to shift into when you are in 4H already. Stop, shift into neutral and then select 4L. To shift to 4H, stop and select neutral before shifting to 4H.

 

Owner's manual says you need to be under 50 mph for stick style part time 4WD on OR and Pro models to shift from 2H to 4H and under 62 mph for knob type shifter on SR5s. You can shift from 4H back to 2H at any speed.

If you are hearing a hard clunk shifting back to 2H, You may be creating axle wrap by driving on dry, hard pavement in 4H? Part time 4WD models should not be driven, particularly around turns in 4WD on dry pavement. But sometimes there is a bit of a clunk under normal conditions, so...

Sometimes it takes a while to shift between modes like if you are at a stop. you will need to be moving a bit or under a little bit of throttle.

 

I suggest reading your owner's manual. When shifting between H2 to H4 it says your speed should be under 50MPH. Shifting from H4 to H2 can be done at any speed.

 

Catbrown357,
Yes. I read the owners manual. I stated that in my original post. Pretty sure it said you can do either under 60. It's shifting way harder than it should be when I got from 4 wheel drive back to two

 

Ok so the pavement hasn't been dry. Snow is melting so it's been wet but like reversing out of my ice packed driveway in 4wd onto the wet street and then into 2wd it does the huge clunk think. Just feels way harder than normal operation should be. Feels like something breaking 100%. Idk if i would describe it as a small clunk. You can really feel it.

 

I haven't been messing with the 4lo at all, haven't needed to yet. Just wondering why the shift from 2 to 4 is smooth but back to two it's a hard shift/ clunk

 

I know what you mean when I shift out of 4wheel I stop and put it in neutral I'm not a fan of the clunk

 

Sounds like you have some binding. Are you making turns in 4wd on a high traction surface?

 

It feels bad man like I'm hurting my truck lol. I think I tried that last night. Shifting into neutral and then going from 4h to 2h but it doesn't shit instantly it flashes at me for a few seconds and won't switch until I roll forward a bit. It's freaking me out. I had auto 4wd in my last truck so I'm not used to changing it myself and that clunk

I guess I have been driving on wet pavement. Not super slick but not dry. I have to use 4h to get up my driveway right now and then when I get to the street I shift it to 2h and it does the clunk. Is it binding up because the wet pavement or? I guess I'm not getting it. The jeep I drove for a while shifted smoothly from 2 to 4 and back again that's why it's got me freaked out. I guess that thing had the stick though not the dial lol

 

That's normal, and the clunk is bigger if you have any binding.

If you don't have any wheel slip and you turn at all, it's binding. How much depends on how much you turn.

 

Welcome. What year and mileage is your 4Runner?

 

There’s no speed limit to shift out of 4wd into 2wd

 

I keep it below the shift into speed just in case.

 

When shifting from 4H to 2H make sure your foot is not on the gas pedal, otherwise you'll get a clunk feel.

 

Exactly. I just make sure I'm pointed straight and I'm not applying torque when I switch in and out of 4WD and after I switch I hit the gas very gently for a moment until I see the 4WD light come on or go off. If you do the same you won't experience severe clunks.