What do these do??

[aabasiry]

Sorry for my LC ignorance. I just got the truck and the owner's manual is all in Japanese. My knowledge of Japanese language doesn't seem to extend further than the word "Sushi" ..

So my question is, what do these controls do:
1- The red button above the transmission shift lever
2- The Normal and Sport suspension button, and how does it change the suspension

Also, what is the proper way to use the 4wd gearing? Basically how to use the combination of the main gear shift and the small lever marked "H-N-L". My previous 4x4 experience is limited to manual transmissions with electronic transfer case. Never an automatic..

Ah, it is a 1990, HDJ81 Turbo Diesel with automatic transmission..

I also noticed hard shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. I understand that the A422F is entirely mechanical, but is this hard shifting behaviour normal?
Would a tranny oil change help?
Is there a filter to change along with the oil?
and what grade oil do you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance..

Cheers,
Ahmed

[Lka1988]

Originally Posted by aabasiry

Sorry for my LC ignorance. I just got the truck and the owner's manual is all in Japanese. My knowledge of Japanese language doesn't seem to extend further than the word "Sushi" ..

So my question is, what do these controls do:
1- The red button above the transmission shift lever
2- The Normal and Sport suspension button, and how does it change the suspension

Also, what is the proper way to use the 4wd gearing? Basically how to use the combination of the main gear shift and the small lever marked "H-N-L". My previous 4x4 experience is limited to manual transmissions with electronic transfer case. Never an automatic..

Ah, it is a 1990, HDJ81 Turbo Diesel with automatic transmission..

I also noticed hard shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. I understand that the A422F is entirely mechanical, but is this hard shifting behaviour normal?
Would a tranny oil change help?
Is there a filter to change along with the oil?
and what grade oil do you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance..

Cheers,
Ahmed

Let's see...

1. Red button above the shift lever is a Shift Lock Override. Basically, you can't take the trans out of Park unless the brake or that button is depressed.

2. 'Normal' is a soft ride, 'Sport' firms up the shocks, AFAIK. We never got that in the US. Not in the 80, at least.

3. Your rig is most likely Full-Time 4WD. This means that there is no 2WD option. You can use the trans in Low range just like you would in High range. IIRC, the center diff will lock automatically when you shift the transfer case into Low.

4. The A442F is actually an updated, electronically controlled version of the mechanical A440F. A fluid exchange should help... The filter is just a screen that needs to be cleaned.


Hope this helps...

[Sarmajor]

This switch changes the setting inside the shocks to affect the ride quality.
Most likely after 18 years the shocks will no longer work or have already been replaced with aftermarket units. I have never seen a working set here in NZ.

The fliter is a simple metal screen in the bottm of the transmission and is easily cleaned. You have to drain the transmission and then unblot the filter and clean the crap out of it. There are also some small magnets stuck to the bottom of the pan that collect any small steel particles that are produced and keep them from circulating in the oil.

Here in NZ we can buy a kit that includes the filter and the gasket for the transmission pan.
IIRC there is about 6 litres of oil in the Transmission pan so make sure the catch pan is large enough to collect at least that much. This is by no means all of the oil that is in the transmission but it is all that you can drop doing this procedure.

[IdahoDoug]

An overly firm 1-2 shift could also be a simple adjustment of the transmission cable. I'd never advise against a tranny fluid change and filter cleaning but the 1-2 shift is classic cable adjustment symptom.

DougM

[lovetoski]

Originally Posted by aabasiry

Also, what is the proper way to use the 4wd gearing? Basically how to use the combination of the main gear shift and the small lever marked "H-N-L".

As mentioned above, it's full-time 4W - no 2W option.

To move between H and L range in the transfer case, put the transmission in P, then move the transfer case lever.

H range is fine on all road surfaces. L range is only for soft surfaces (dirt, snow, mud, etc) Unless you have a CDL switch (Center Differential Lock).

Nice truck!

[Lka1988]

Originally Posted by IdahoDoug

An overly firm 1-2 shift could also be a simple adjustment of the transmission cable. I'd never advise against a tranny fluid change and filter cleaning but the 1-2 shift is classic cable adjustment symptom.

DougM

[CJF]

Originally Posted by Lka1988

First thing I thought when I started reading this thread was, "Why didn't Lane catch/point out the tranny/kickdown cable?"

Cheers,

Curtis

[Sarmajor]

Originally Posted by lovetoski

As mentioned above, it's full-time 4W - no 2W option.

To move between H and L range in the transfer case, put the transmission in P, then move the transfer case lever.

H range is fine on all road surfaces. L range is only for soft surfaces (dirt, snow, mud, etc) Unless you have a CDL switch (Center Differential Lock).

Nice truck!

You can also change from H - L in Neutral