Questions about some buttons in my dad's truck.

[crazydragon]

Hi, I have no 4wd or any mechanical knowledge at all. My dad just bought a 1995 Toyota LandCruiser 70 series that has a few functions.

We wanted to try out the 4wd system but have no idea what should we do. The following are some items that we find that may be related to the 4wd system and we have no idea what they are for.

1. IDLE UP.
2. ECT Button: Comes with the option of Normal, Power.
3. Some button that has a picture of a suspension? Comes with the option of Sport, Norm.
4. A shifting gear with the options of H, N, L4.
5. HUB LOCK.
6. H4.

This other thing is not in the truck but I saw this term quite often when we were still looking for the 4wd on TradeMe. What does diff locks mean and when to use it?

I'll be really thankful if someone can explain what these terms mean to me and when to use them.

Thanks,
Kevin

[kbushnz]

here yah go

1. IDLE UP. When in N or Park, Lifts idle when operating in cold climates. (Typical Jap import) Handy to lift idle to charge battery.

2. ECT Button: Changes shift points for Auto.... Lets it Rev a bit before next change up.

3. Some button that has a picture of a suspension? The Shocks have dampeners in them and you adjust the hardness with these. Sport hard, Normal, softer. (if shocks still work)

4. A shifting gear with the options of H, N, L4. Tranfsercase selection H High range, N Neutral, L4 Low range (Part of the 4WD system)

5. HUB LOCK. Turns on the Electric hubs which lock the front wheels to the drive axles. (Part of the 4WD system)

6. H4. With Hubs locked when you select H4 you will be in 4WD.

DO NOT GO INTO 4WD on TARMAC you will wind up the transmission and break something. Its for off road only.

What does diff locks mean and when to use it?
Well thats a big one.
For your dads style of truck (Part Time 4WD) a Diff lock is a device which locks the differential to force both wheels to turn at once.
They can be fitted to the front or rear diffs.
Some come with them from new.
Some are fitted later.
They are a traction aid (Gee guys help me with this one)

For a Full time 4WD they have a center diff lock which when selected makes it work the same as a part time 4WD.


Welcome to the world of 4WD's and the many differences. No pun intended

I think you need to do some reading of 4WD operation for a Part Time 4WD system. Or join a club or find a local expert to show you the do's and don'ts.

Cheers
Calvin

[crazydragon]

Thanks kbushnz.

One more thing, in what condition should you change the shifting gear? Cause it seems to be stuck, or locked cause we can't shift it up to H or L4. Is that a safety precaution thing? Or is it broken?

Thanks,
Kevin

[kbushnz]

It would normally be in H for normal driving.

To change from H to L4 you must be in N and stopped or very very slow rolling.

Otherwise it will graunch the gears. (No syncro)

If it was a Manual you would just dip the clutch.

Have a read of this to help get it in your head....

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/four-wheel-drive.htm

To be honest you need to get in touch with a local expert and have him / her show you... This typing thing has its limitations.

What part of the country are you in.

Calvin

[Sadam_Husain]

you usually need a fair bit of weight and leverage on the L4/H lever to select between ranges


make sure the old man lets you have a blast around in the truck for sorting it all out mate

[crazydragon]

Yeah I guess I better ask someone to show me how it works. I'm in Auckland. East Tamaki, Manukau area.

Nah I'm just asking on my dad's behalf as he's too busy. Anyway, we're going up north to 90 Miles beach again this Christmas. (After getting stuck twice in the soft sand area with a Honda Odyssey last year.)

Any advice on what we should do if we were to be in the same situation?

Kevin

[mercutio]

Yeah I guess I better ask someone to show me how it works. I'm in Auckland. East Tamaki, Manukau area.

Nah I'm just asking on my dad's behalf as he's too busy. Anyway, we're going up north to 90 Miles beach again this Christmas. (After getting stuck twice in the soft sand area with a Honda Odyssey last year.)

Any advice on what we should do if we were to be in the same situation?

Kevin

let down your tyres

[Jerry]

may be worth checking out the local clubs, some of them may provide shiny trips / training days

[philipw]

you should come and have a play this weekend as the manukau club is doing a shinny run this weekend so that will be one of the best times to have a good play.
drop me a pm if you are keen.
Phil

[Bubba]

Thanks kbushnz.

One more thing, in what condition should you change the shifting gear? Cause it seems to be stuck, or locked cause we can't shift it up to H or L4. Is that a safety precaution thing? Or is it broken?

Thanks,
Kevin

Hi Kevin,

just to add my bit, Often these wagens haven't been in 4wd ever so the shifters have become stuck. As long as you are in N and you are stopped. Don't be afraid to use a bit of force. It may take a few attempts to free it and sound clunky at first

[Moriarty]

Yeah I guess I better ask someone to show me how it works. I'm in Auckland. East Tamaki, Manukau area.

Nah I'm just asking on my dad's behalf as he's too busy. Anyway, we're going up north to 90 Miles beach again this Christmas. (After getting stuck twice in the soft sand area with a Honda Odyssey last year.)

Any advice on what we should do if we were to be in the same situation?

Kevin

let down your tyres

Ummm, not DEAD flat, but drop the tyre pressure to less then half. THEN pump em back up as soon as possible when you are unstuck and back on tarseal from which an Odyssey should never leave!!

[Landynut]

some of those transfer shifters (hi2 - hi4 - low4) you have to push DOWN on the lever as well as shift it sideways and then forwards? I'm just thinking of pajero ones, its push down, right and all the way forward to engage low4, or something like that..

if your not pushing DOWN on the shifter, it probably wont go anywhere no matter how much force you apply (I think some of them only allow you to push it down once the vehicle has come to a complete stop, to prevent blowing the transfer case into a million pieces at 100kph...)

just my 2 cents worth, congrats on the new shiny

oh and hi4 on the beach, 2nd or 3rd gear - dont go too fast because if you hit soft stuff at 80kph you might roll it....

and unless you've got a portable compressor I wouldnt let the tyres down, you will probably end up popping them off the rims when you get back on the road and go round a corner too fast.

If you have "All-terrain" tyres, you will be like a pig in shit on the beach but i wouldnt attempt any mud bogs . . .

you should only engage low range if you either:
A: want to climb something really steep or
B: get bogged down enough that you need it
C: also useful for awkward backing situations, like backing a trailer up an awkward driveway - allows you to take your time to correct the steering etc...

Low range is a whole other gearbox which gives you more power, but less speed..

in normal range 1st gear full revs you would probably achieve 20-30 kph

in low range 1st gear at full noise you will be going 5kph or thereabouts... the speed of a sunday morning power-walk


so thats my 10 cents worth

good luck !