Part Time 4WD Question

Most articles and posts I've been reading advise to never engage 4WD
on a part time 4WD truck while on dry pavement. My understanding is
that this should not apply to a part-time 4WD that has a driver
operated locking center differential (4-runner for example). Is this
correct? I can't seem to find any information about this kind of
set-up. Everything I've read so far just assumes that the
differential is automatically locked when 4WD is engaged on a part
time 4WD vehicle. Thanks in advance for any input.

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http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/




Most articles and posts I've been reading advise to never engage 4WD
>on a part time 4WD truck while on dry pavement. My understanding is
>that this should not apply to a part-time 4WD that has a driver
>operated locking center differential (4-runner for example). Is this
>correct? I can't seem to find any information about this kind of
>set-up. Everything I've read so far just assumes that the
>differential is automatically locked when 4WD is engaged on a part
>time 4WD vehicle. Thanks in advance for any input.


79 T/A WS6 455 ,Hurst 4 spd, Blk w/ t-tops, Heavily Fortified, 4mpg

00 Ram 2500HD QC V-10 4x4,Blk,5 spd,4:10 LSD, 10mpg

98 Intruder 1400, Blk, 5 spd, 25mpg

MW wrote:
>
> Most articles and posts I've been reading advise to never engage 4WD
> on a part time 4WD truck while on dry pavement. My understanding is
> that this should not apply to a part-time 4WD that has a driver
> operated locking center differential (4-runner for example). Is this
> correct? I can't seem to find any information about this kind of
> set-up. Everything I've read so far just assumes that the
> differential is automatically locked when 4WD is engaged on a part
> time 4WD vehicle. Thanks in advance for any input.

Part time 4WD implies no center differential, for example my '85 4Runner has part-time 4WD, its transfer case is gear driven, meaning there is a series of gears that transfer torque to the front driveshaft. There is no center differential, so for all
intents and purposes, its permanently locked. If you have a center differential, you have something other than part-time 4WD:
http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4x4/index.shtml#GeneralInfo
And yes, if you lock the center diff., then all the caveats about part-time 4WD apply to your vehicle. Unlocked, they don't.

--
Roger

On 5 Nov 2003 23:00:05 -0800, [email protected] (MW) wrote:

>Most articles and posts I've been reading advise to never engage 4WD
>on a part time 4WD truck while on dry pavement. My understanding is
>that this should not apply to a part-time 4WD that has a driver
>operated locking center differential (4-runner for example). Is this
>correct? I can't seem to find any information about this kind of
>set-up. Everything I've read so far just assumes that the
>differential is automatically locked when 4WD is engaged on a part
>time 4WD vehicle. Thanks in advance for any input.


It is no problem to run locked hubs in 2wd on a vehicle so equipped.
(It's a common practice for those who live in snow country to run this
way all winter.)

It's only a partial problem to run in 4wd with hubs UNLOCKED. In 4
high, you gain absolutely nothing, so why bother? The 4 lo position
can be useful in some circumstances but just remember you are sending
a whole lot of (gear reduced) power to only one axle and on hard
surfaces, you could still break something if you aren't careful. Most
owner's manuals tell you to never do this. (I used to use 4 lo in 2wd
when launching and recovering boats from a steep ramp in my old 3 spd
manual Bronco.)

I wasn't exactly sure what you were asking, so hopefully this covers
it.

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4