Cruiser Colorado 4x4 Issue or Not?

[Necroeire]

Hello all,
this is my first post and my first Toyota Landcruiser so please forgive my lack of knowledge.
I have almost purchased my first Landcrusier but while I was testing it I'm not sure if I found a problem or not. I'm after some advise as I'm not sure if it is a normal Landcruiser behaviour or a possible expensive problem.

In testing the 1997 Landcrusier Colorado Short Wheel Base 3.0T Diesel. The problem occurs when I engage 4 wheel drive the front differential seems to break the wheels. I have only tried this at very low speed and get the same in reverse of forward. The owner tells me he never used the 4 wheel drive since October 2006 when he purchased it.

Thanks in advance...
Dave

[TEPUI]

Hello Dave and welcome to ih8mud

A couple of questions:

Is your Colorado full time 4WD?
Did you feel that the wheels "brake" or "break"?
did you put the transfer case in 4LO when you ran the test?
Where you testing it on or off the pavement? (you should never use 4LO on pavement, you can cause serious damage to the drive train)

It's normal for the vehicle to feel very different (steering should feel harder too) when the 4LO is engaged, maybe you're just not used to it?

[dhula]

Another few questions

1.were you turning at the time or driving in a straight line
2.What speed were you driving at
3. Did it feel like a braking action (like putting your foot on the brake pedal) all of a sudden or from the very begining

[Necroeire]

Thanks for the replies.

I was in 4WD HI gears and was driving slow and straight.

I tried to coast a little down a hill but it "braked" on it's own. Maybe it's just the extra force required to drive the 4WD made it feel like it was braking but I have not felt this on either a Terrano II or Discovery II.

[FJ60_cruiser]

That's because they din't have the torque your TOYOTA have!!!!

[dhula]

1. Was this hill on a paved road or dirt.
2. Had you been doing turns before hand
3. Is the car a constant 4WD model (ie has a centre differential) or a part time 4WD
4. When you say driving slow, what speed is slow.

Sorry for the extra questinos, but it seams strange to have this problem.

It may be as simple as a problem with the brakes sticking on, but your answers will help narrow it down a little more

I jsut had a thought while re reading you first post. Could it be normal engine braking action when you foot is off the accelerator pedal.

[Necroeire]

Thanks for the replies again guys. I was driving at about 50kph before I moved onto a dirt road that was slightly uphill. I changed to 4wd after being in 2wd for 10 or so minutes. The paved road was very twisty.
My gut feeling is that I am over reacting and it was engine torque or the extra force required to move the front wheels too.

Anyhow here are some pics from the advert so please enjoy.

I'll be picking it up on Saturday so I'll post more pics as soon as I can. It looks commercial but it is a passenger as it has security windows.

Thanks again, Dave.

[TEPUI]

Wow that looks pristine!

[dhula]

Looks very schmick dave, nice

[Necroeire]

Hey thanks guys. I've one more thing to ask as I have noticed something in the past 2 weeks I've now been driving my first 4 x 4.

First off the gear changes are more difficult to what I've been used to in my Audi's - please don't laugh as it is my first 4 x 4. When I'm changing up gears from 4th to 5th it jerks when I release the clutch. Can anyone advise on how to change my driving style to stop this as I don't want to damage the clutch?

Also when it idles I hear some odd sounds. First I thought the stereo was buzzing all the time so I removed it to see. With no power going to the speakers I still hear a buzzing sound. I've noticed it doesn't happen when I'm driving at any speed but when I slow in traffic or at stop lights I hear it again.

And the last question I have is about Facias for the stereo. The existing stereo is rubbish so I'm looking at changing it to a new one, but the old one is a double din size. I've searched a few suppliers sites but none have a blanking facia for when I put in a single din stereo. Anyone know where I can get one?

Thanks and apologies for all the questions. I hope to get some nice pictures this weekend if the rain stops.

Dave.

[dhula]

First off the gear changes are more difficult to what I've been used to in my Audi's - please don't laugh as it is my first 4 x 4. When I'm changing up gears from 4th to 5th it jerks when I release the clutch. Can anyone advise on how to change my driving style to stop this as I don't want to damage the clutch?

• Does it do the same in all gears. 5th should really be the smoothest to change up to (unless you get it really wrong)
• What RPM
• Do you have your foot on the load pedal a little bit when you let the clutch out perhaps

Also when it idles I hear some odd sounds. First I thought the stereo was buzzing all the time so I removed it to see. With no power going to the speakers I still hear a buzzing sound. I've noticed it doesn't happen when I'm driving at any speed but when I slow in traffic or at stop lights I hear it again.

• What do you call a buzzing sound. The whine of a petrol engine through the sterio kind of thing or a whistle kind of thing
• Is the sound there when the car is not moving but RPM is higher than idle

And the last question I have is about Facias for the stereo. The existing stereo is rubbish so I'm looking at changing it to a new one, but the old one is a double din size. I've searched a few suppliers sites but none have a blanking facia for when I put in a single din stereo. Anyone know where I can get one?

I recon any good car audio place should be able to help you with this one

[Necroeire]

Thanks dhula,

* It's the same in all gears but can be felt more going to 5th. I normally have the revs about 2500 when accelerating up like I used to in my Audi diesel. I have tried it with lower revs but seem to lose power if I let it drop. Ah it's probably just practice as I'm not used to a 4x4 transmission.

* The odd sound is like a light whistle almost and I noticed today I only get it when I use the clutch for a while. I get it when I start off first and if I drive a bit without using the clutch it goes away but if I need to slow or stop and use the clutch it comes back again as soon as I use the clutch.

* I sorted the stereo at the weekend, removed the existing double din Sony cassette player and installed an Alpine HU with as iPod connection. I ran the iPod cable into the glove box where I can hide it discretely. I also got a box to fit into the space left over from the double din so I can store some Cds in the dash if required.

[Deep Thought]

Your not hearing the turbo whistle are you ?

That's a normal sound, as the revs go up it gets a bit louder and then the engine noise drowns it out. Best heard with the window down. Sounds real nice with my 3" straight through exhaust system.

Regards
D.T.

[dhula]

* It's the same in all gears but can be felt more going to 5th. I normally have the revs about 2500 when accelerating up like I used to in my Audi diesel. I have tried it with lower revs but seem to lose power if I let it drop. Ah it's probably just practice as I'm not used to a 4x4 transmission.

It may jsut be practice. Remember that you now have a 4WD that has 2 transmissions before you get to the final drive. There will be a lot more backlash in the drivetrain than your audi. If you like, get under your car (with it in gear on level ground handbrake off and wheels chocked) and turn the rear drive shaft back and forth (clockwise then anti clockwise), you'll find there is a bit of movement, this is normal (unless it gets to be 1/2 a turn or so).

* The odd sound is like a light whistle almost and I noticed today I only get it when I use the clutch for a while. I get it when I start off first and if I drive a bit without using the clutch it goes away but if I need to slow or stop and use the clutch it comes back again as soon as I use the clutch.

Is the noise there when your foot is on the clutch then gone when you take your foot away from the pedal?
If so it MAY be clutch throw out bearing noise. If you are woprried about it, take it to a reputable mechanic that knows a bit about 4WD's. 2 mins to diagnose and if I'm wrong, then I've caused you to waste your time . But what's 2 mins to find out exactly what the noise is.

[Necroeire]

I think I just need getting used to driving a much bigger machine as the Audi is very very quiet and now that I have a 4x4 I'm panicking at all the new noises and driving style.

I'm certain it's not the turbo as it appears when I'm idling and not accelerating - then again it may be -

Thanks again dhula and Deep Thought for your help.

I'm having fun getting used to the Colorado. I've ordered a set of Hella Rallye 1000 lamps and also a spare wheel cover, so the modifications have started......

Dave.

[Deep Thought]

Dave,
I agree with Dhula on the throwout bearing, but it's really hard to tell if I'm not standing there to listen to it. As he said take it to a mechanic. Should cost you nothing for a quick look.

Regards
D.T.