if you can't use it in the snow (or in a condition where you can spin all 4 wheels easily) what good is 4x4? if it's slippery, binding it's not that rough on your drivetrain. just keep in mind the car will handle differently when bound.

on another note, do you have an LSD rear? it might be the rear locking up and not 4x4 bind. the side to side speed difference is much greater than the offtracking (front to rear difference) for slow corners. so in real slippery conditions the LSD is more susceptible to binding than the 4x4. tire force is what is required to overcome the LSD clutches, so when it's slippery out (low tire force) it's pretty common for the rear to lock and cause that jumpyness. but either way it's not a big deal. good luck and stay safe!!

 

I don't think the lsd is active when 4wd is engaged but I could be wrong. It should be a bit more jumpy in 4wd just because both axles are tied to the drivetrain, I would turn it off once I got to pavement. I use 4wd all the time in the dirt, on trails, both 4 high and 4 low. If mine breaks, I'll let you know to be more careful.

 

Use it in the snow. That's the best time to get a feel for how the truck handles with 4wd engaged. You can find a parking lot somewhere and teach yourself what binding feels like without the worry of breaking anything.

 

Snow use is fine. Only reason really I have a 4X4 is for our New England winters( and towing boat during duck season ).

 

So wait....binding on dry pavement is bad because the wheels can't slip. But binding on snow is ok because the wheels can slip. But if you are getting "binding" then the wheels aren't slipping I thought the mantra of this board was binding will cause your truck to explode then piss itself. So going by what 90% of this board will tell you....no 4wd in snow either.

Not flaming anyone in this thread...yet.

Mike

 

I don't think the lsd is active when 4wd is engaged but I could be wrong. quote]


I believe your right. I read in the manual that it is only for when you are in 2 wheel drive.

 

There are no concerns with using 4x4 in the snow. Thats what its there for.

 

There are no concerns with using 4x4 in the snow. Thats what its there for.

Ya think?....geez

 

Ya i know, but i was pulling into a parking space that was was kinda on an incline, and it was really bouncing around. It didng feel good.

I assumed it was fine since it was in the snow, (and when i got out my tires looked like white slicks from the snow packedon them haha).

just figured i would throw it out there, if any binding is bad, or only on pavment

 

LSD is always active. it's purely a mechanical system and there's no way of it knowing if you're in 2wd of 4wd (if you don't believe me check the diff, there are should be no electrical connectors going to it, just two speed sensors going to each hub for ABS). the locking rear on the other hand is electronically actuated.

 

So wait....binding on dry pavement is bad because the wheels can't slip. But binding on snow is ok because the wheels can slip. But if you are getting "binding" then the wheels aren't slipping I thought the mantra of this board was binding will cause your truck to explode then piss itself. So going by what 90% of this board will tell you....no 4wd in snow either.

Not flaming anyone in this thread...yet.

Mike

I'm not sure anyone can understand your point well enough to counter it. :dunno:

Are you saying it's fine to use 4wd every day on dry pavement? Or, are you just being a sarcastic ass and trying to bait someone into saying that the thread-starter shouldn't be using it in the snow?

 

LSD is always active. it's purely a mechanical system and there's no way of it knowing if you're in 2wd of 4wd (if you don't believe me check the diff, there are should be no electrical connectors going to it, just two speed sensors going to each hub for ABS). the locking rear on the other hand is electronically actuated.

I don't have a sport so I don't know for sure but in the manual it says there is LSD button where I have the locker button.

 

I don't have a sport so I don't know for sure but in the manual it says there is LSD button where I have the locker button.

Nah. It's all mechanical, like he said. I think the button you're thinking of is some type of traction control thing. I can't remember the letters... VTC or something. Only button on my Sport is the foglight button.

 

Nah. It's all mechanical, like he said. I think the button you're thinking of is some type of traction control thing. I can't remember the letters... VTC or something. Only button on my Sport is the foglight button.

Yeah, I think that's a typo in the manual, I asked about that a while back and everyone said I was thinking of the locking diff button, but no, take a look in the manual it is there. There is even a drawing of the LSD button and it advises to 'only engage it when needed' which is like, always? If anyone has this button please respond.

 

Ya i know, but i was pulling into a parking space that was was kinda on an incline, and it was really bouncing around. It didng feel good.

I assumed it was fine since it was in the snow, (and when i got out my tires looked like white slicks from the snow packedon them haha).

just figured i would throw it out there, if any binding is bad, or only on pavment

I think some of the guys are taking your original question the wrong way. If I understand you correctly, you're more concerned with the jumpy feeling that whether you're in snow or not, right?
Is this your first 4x4? My wife had the same question. This is the first 4x4 she has driven. It almost feels like the front wheels are in differential lock.
If you've still got the stock tires they are gonna look like white slicks all winter

 

Naw i got a set of revos. Wsa just really bad snow.

As for the jumpyness, ya. Its jumping because its binding, i assume, so was just wonding if thats ok i guess.

 

No binding for me in snow. Just got back from 300 miles of driving, including 100 in 4wd. Also cranked her on snowy hairpins in 4wd. no prob. Talking at redline too.

We got some good Lake effect past couple days. Went madman on snowed back roads yesterday up in the hills. Just put my snow tires back on, and like to get the feel back. Beyond fun driving my friends....

Dont know about that push button "LSD" button that can only be used in 2wd at certain speeds, but love my mech. LSD in the TRD Sport. Even won a bet to see if I could climb uphill this guys 1/3 mile unplowed and uphill driveway IN 2WD!. Was close on the corners though.... That was starting from dead stop at bottom too.

Overall, a year old, w/ 11500 mi and at guessing 700-800 mi in 4wd, works like butter... Need it, use it.

 

I have had 2 4x4 trucks Ford F-150 and my current 05 Tacoma 4x4. With both trucks I have driven with them in 4 WD on the pavement with no problems. The manual says put it in 4 WD at least once a month, and below 55 mph. That indicates to me you can 4wd on the pavement. When I got rid of my F-150 it had 76k miles and no trouble with 4 wd system. The binding is the outside tire is not turning over as fast as the inside tire, everyone knows this by now. I'm not going to sit in a parking lot and do 360s all day, but if the truck could not take it I would not have it.

 

I have had 2 4x4 trucks Ford F-150 and my current 05 Tacoma 4x4. With both trucks I have driven with them in 4 WD on the pavement with no problems. The manual says put it in 4 WD at least once a month, and below 55 mph. That indicates to me you can 4wd on the pavement.

Dont come crying to me when you snap a CV joint or shread a gear in your diff.

 

"Dance puppets! Dance!"

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