4x4

[Bessie the Mud Slayer]

I've had only one 4 wheel drive vehicle before, and it was electronic. Push a button on the fly 4wd. Now I have a Delica, and I'm unsure of how to properly engage and disengage the 4wd. I know where the shifter is, just not the details, as in: while moving? in neutral or drive? yada yada. Of the few times I've used it, twice there was a clunk. Is that normal? Also, is driving with 'wheel lock' but not 4x4 engaged bad?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Before you start doing it on the run, learn to do it walking, as it were. Bring the vehicle to a stop, put her in neutral, push the 4WD stick forward, put the van back in drive. To get her back out of 4WD: Bring the vehicle to a stop, put her in neutral, pull the 4WD stick back, then put it into reverse and back up a few feet until you see the green wheel lock light go out on your instrument panel or you hear a clunking disengagement sound. If you look at your wheel hubs it will tell you if you have auto lockers, if you can't find that there it is likely because you have manual lockers and where the auto lock sign would be is a switch, in which case you have to get out of the van (don't forget the E brake).

Regarding "4low", it is the same but you are moving the stick forward and to the left, like the diagram on top of the stick.

I hope this helps... Falco.

[konadog]

if you can't find that there it is likely because you have manual lockers and where the auto lock sign would be is a switch, in which case you have to get out of the van (don't forget the E brake).

Or perma lockers that cannot be unlocked, so you see you can drive around with the hubs locked but not have the transfer case in 4x4, no problem. Almost certain that delicas never came from the factory with manuals - just auto lockers or perma locked. We had the perma locked hubs but had them switched for manuals, which, I might add, can be engaged without getting out of the vehicle - Ahh the joys of cab over!

What perma locked hubs look like

steel rims.jpg (43.16 KiB) Viewed 5158 times

[Bessie the Mud Slayer]

Thanks Falco, got the getting out of 4wd figured, just getting in. I've done the exact same steps as you outlined, however, after putting it back in drive, i go 1 or 2 feet then CLUNK! It sounds, well, wrong. If thats normal, then cool, but......its loud.
PS: They're auto lockers konadog. :)

[mararmeisto]

A big CLUNK is generally not normal. Unless it is the docking clamps securing the USS Enterprise into place at the orbital repair facility in the Orion sector. But of course, in space, there is no CLUNK either.

You weren't still rolling forward when you shifted into 4WD? You have to be actually stopped. Park or Neutral will suffice to shift that first time into 4-HI, after that you can shift on the fly. 4-LO should only be selected from a stop and in Neutral, and the shifter should be moved swiftly but smoothly (according to the owner's manual). And, sorry Falco, 4-LO is to-the-right-and-further-forward (not the left) from the 4-HI position.

Also, this is a 4WD vehicle, not an AWD vehicle - and there is a difference. It is not advisable to use 4WD on a hard surface like pavement - it should only be used when the surface can 'give way' to the force of the tires, otherwise you put undue (and potentially damaging) stress on the drive train. I only say this because a lot of push-a-button-on-the-fly-4WD vehicles are actually AWD vehicles.

Finally, a good indication of actually being in 4WD mode is there is what I call a solidness to the steering, or a bit of a pull. Truth is, like a FWD vehicle, it will 'pull' you through corners and such, but the trick is to remember the rear end is 'pushing' too, and if you've not driven a RWD vehicle in a while it will surprise you. That being said, 4WD'ing isn't about speed... unless you're in the Dakar!

Here is a good explanation of the differences: http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/diff4WD_AWD.html.

EDIT: removed 'Park' from shifting instructions for 4-LO

[Green1]

Once you put the vehicle in 4wd, keep the steering wheel straight and use very gentle pressure on the accelerator until both the "wheel lock" light and the 4wd indicator at the bottom of the gear indicator are lit. you should feel/hear a slight click or clunk, but nothing that could be described as "loud"

4-LO should only be selected from a stop and in Park or Neutral

quick clarification, 4-Lo can only be selected while in neutral, park isn't good enough... (at least on my Delica it won't let you do that in park)

[loki]

quick clarification, 4-Lo can only be selected while in neutral, park isn't good enough... (at least on my Delica it won't let you do that in park)

same on my van

[marsgal42]

The transfer case is shift on the fly, but the hubs are not. To engage them, stop, select 4H, then creep forward until you hear/feel the hubs go in. The light on the dash will come on. You are now in 4 wheel drive. You can shift back and forth between 2H and 4H without stopping as you need to. This is my usual "snow" setting. The steering feels different, and the van has that characteristic AWD "sure-footed" feel.

To unlock the hubs, stop, select 2H, then creep backwards a couple of meters. Move forward and the hubs locked light will go out.

To shift to 4L, stop, put the transmission in Neutral and move the lever through the gate to 4L. The manual says you can do this in Park. You can't.

There is no differential in the transfer case. Do not use 4 wheel drive on dry pavement. At best you will get nasty vibrations. At worst you will break things. This is an area where the L400/Pajero transfer case is different from our L300s. Find a gravel road or parking lot to play with this before you need it for real.

...laura

[konadog]

There is no differential in the transfer case. Do not use 4 wheel drive on dry pavement. At best you will get nasty vibrations. At worst you will break things. This is an area where the L400/Pajero transfer case is different from our L300s. Find a gravel road or parking lot to play with this before you need it for real.

Here lies the advantage of manual hubs, for as long as the hubs are not locked one can use the 4 low gearing, regardless of the road surface. Steep backups or slooooow creep line-ups are an example of when this option can be useful. And like Marsgal42 points out for snow days with the auto lockers, once the hubs are locked in (and like I pointed out above, in the deli manuals can be switched by opening the door and reaching down - no need to get out) we can pop between 2 high and 4 high as needed, but it's still a stop and into neutral to engage 4 low. Also, our bus has no hubs locked light and the 4x4 light flickered and died the first time I engaged it - never missed it

[pedro]

well I learn someting new every day on this site. I have manual lock as well but I didnt now that you could switch on the fly 2wd to 4H.(I have always come to a full stop before switching). Now is there a maximum speed specified ???or can you do this at any speed???Pierre

[marsgal42]

well I learn someting new every day on this site. I have manual lock as well but I didnt now that you could switch on the fly 2wd to 4H.(I have always come to a full stop before switching). Now is there a maximum speed specified ???or can you do this at any speed???Pierre

There is no speed quoted, but if you need to use 4WD, don't you have other concerns?

I've never exceeded about 50 klicks in 4WD. Super-select vehicles are different in this respect, and can travel at top speed in 4H unlocked.

...laura

[BCDelica]

You can find the odd picture on the net of similar transfer cases, in your Delica, that have blown apart after driving 60-70mph on dry pavement.

One click to find this fine example on the link Mararmeisto provided; of what can happen when a part time 4wd vehicle, like a Delica, is driven high speed on dry pavement.

Ouch

[FalcoColumbarius]

And, sorry Falco, 4-LO is to-the-right-and-further-forward (not the left) from the 4-HI position.

I meant my "other" left.

[konadog]

I've never exceeded about 50 klicks in 4WD. Super-select vehicles are different in this respect, and can travel at top speed in 4H unlocked.

Well, maybe just a liiiitte faster Those main-line gravel roads are pretty fun in 4 high But the last bit of Marsgal42's quote leaves me confused - If the tranfer case is set in 4 hi but the hubs left unlocked, won't the links to the front hubs simply spin uselessly and poise no threat to the gear on a grippy surface? I totally get leaving the hubs locked but not engaging the tranfer case until reaching a slippery section, but not the other way 'round.

[jessef]

If the tranfer case is set in 4 hi but the hubs left unlocked, won't the links to the front hubs simply spin uselessly and poise no threat to the gear on a grippy surface?

Yes the hubs will spin on their own rolling power BUT the front driveshaft -> diff carrier -> axles will run at full load. But because there is no 'physical' load applied, you can prematurely wear the chain/gears in the xcase.

If you have stock auto-hubs :

1. Never drive on concrete or ice in 4x4 mode. The potential to break the xcase or axles is high.
2. Use 4x4 on loose surfaces (dirt/logging roads/loose rock/mud/snow/sand,etc...)
3. In 4x4 more at high speed (over 60 km/h), a sharp turn can cause the xcase gears to bind and break.

If you have manual locking hubs :

1. All of the above applies for auto-hubs apply
2. Never drive with 4x4 engaged and hubs un-locked at high speeds or for a long period of time
3. Leaving the hubs locked in 2WD will create a bit of rolling resistance/drag on the front end (lower mpg)
4. In 4x4 mode with the hubs un-locked, you can use both 4low and 4high for tight maneuvering/cornering

Remember, the L300 Delica 4x4 drivetrain is EXACTLY the same as a Montero Gen I (for the exception of shaft lengths) which has been around in North America for the past 20 years. There are numerous forums dedicated to Montero's (4x4wire being the largest).

They are also close to the old Toyota's (xcase/trans/drivetrain) for the exception of manual hubs.

The best manual hubs to get are Aisin's. They are bulletproof but very hard to find.

Next best are superwinch's. Not as robust as Aisin's but good for the money.