4wd issues

So I have a 95 4runner that I purchased about a month ago. ahen I bought the vehicle the 4wd worked great. Haven't used it that much. Since purchase I rebuilt entire front end suspension and replaced rear springs and all shocks. Everything was pretty much shot. I also payed for a mechanic to replace timing belt. My problem is that a few days ago I was driving from Arizona to Colorado and ran into some icy roads. I put it in 4hi and first thing the rpms dropped so low I'm surprised the car did not die. Dimming lights surging. I started to drive and the runner started lurching and then the transfer case popped out of 4hi back to 2hi. Super bummed. After getting to Co. I did some reading on the ADD and I might do the ADD delete to rule out the vacuum lines. However since it's going into 4hi not sure if that's the case.

One thing I have noticed is that since my timing belt was replaced after warm up my rpms drop significantly. After driving for about an hour and really warm is when the rpms drop. If it was off a tooth or more would it create such surging in 4wd? One other thing is it will stay in 4lo without any problem at all. It still surges however.

Sorry for the long post. I have put a lot into this vehicle and the engine runs strong at 207,000 miles. I will be doing the valve covers after xmas with new pcv valve and clean.

Sorry for the long post. I can't seem to find any other help on this.

 

Anybody with any info would be great. Need 4wd to get around as it's pretty icy out. Thanks

 

Thanks. Need for xmas travels

 

One other thing. First thing in morning on start up it stays in 4hi for about 4 blocks before it warms up. After warm and lower idle it pops out in 20 yds. No more lurching however until real warm and very low idle.

 

Ok. Now I know I can hold it in with the 4wd transfer case lever and I can keep in 4hi. After a bit it holds without holding in. However eventually pops out. I don't think it is related to ADD. Could low or bad transfer case oil cause the slipping out? Anybody??

 

Is this thread even active?

 

It has nothing to do with the timing belt. If the belt was off just a bit, your engine wouldn't run at all. From the age of your vehicle, I'd have to say that something is loose between your shifter and your transfer case. Investigate that. Could be as simple as tightening the linkage or lubricating it. Also, when was the last time you did a fluid change on your front and rear diffs and transfer case? Alot of times, checking the simple things first leads to finding the actual issue.

 

I was def ruling out timing belt for shifting. However would changing the belt effect the idle after warm up. Before the belt was replaced it had s healthy idle of about 800 after running and driving for long distance. Now bogs down. Especially when 4wd is engaged.

Changed out rear diff fluid. Def going to change out front diff and transfer case now. As far as the linkage how and where do I access this? Through the floor? Never had to mess with this before.

Thank you so much for your reply. Will. E driving it later this afternoon and would like 4wd. I guess I will just have to hold in place for now.

 

Changing the belt shouldn't effect the idle or performance. Check your coolant level, run the heater and verify you are getting hot air. Best way to access the linkage is through the cab, you can also check the trans linkage while you're at it.

 

Good heat and plenty of fresh coolant. Thanks for info on levers. Appreciate all feedback.

 

What if the belt was so old and cracked. Thing was about to snap. Cracked every 1/4 to 1/8 inch all the way around. Horrible!

 

The possibility is extremely low that changing the belt would effect performance.

 

Great. Good to know. I will be changing valve cover gaskets and pcv valve in next few days. Will clean throttle body as well. However this is all secondary concerns next to the lack of 4wd.

 

Problem solved. Took lever out and plate. Someone had rearranged the lever spring the wrong way and it was forcing the lever forward into 2wd. All fixed.