FJ62: Using the 4WD

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Hey everyone, I'm new here and just inherited a decent 1989 FJ62. I have a newb question though. What exactly are the instructions on how to get this thing into 4 wheel low?
 
Assuming all is working well in your truck here are the steps:

For 4WD High:
1. Get out and rotate both hub control knobs located on your front axle to locked.
2. Get back in car and press the 4WD Hi button.

For 4WD Low:
1. Lock hubs
2. Pull 4WD shift lever towards the back of truck which which engages 4Low.

If you know you are going to need 4WD you can always lock the hubs and then engage as needed. This is helpful on the way up to go snow skiing. You can have the hubs locked before it gets bad and then just press your 4 High switch when the roads start to get bad.
 
Lock the hubs, then hop in and put her in neutral. Hit the h4 button to the right of the steering wheel. Then move the tc stick from high to low depending on terrain.
 
So you have the Hubs locked and the 4WD shifter in high? Like you would during normal 2wd?
 
It's very simple:

Pavement pounding, no intentions/predictions of upcoming gravel/snow/mud/ice : Normal 2wd, hubs unlocked (saves on fuel and front end wear)
Pavement pounding, possibility of upcoming gravel/snow/mud/ice: Normal 2wd, hubs locked (then all you have to do to switch to 4H is push the button because the hubs are already locked. No getting your fingers cold fumbling on the side of the ski hill road while all the rich snobs pass you in their AWD Infiniti's)
Normal driving on gravel/snow/mud/ice: 4H, hubs locked
Low speed driving/crawling on rough/steep/loose terrain: 4L, hubs locked (you will appreciate the extra torque going uphill, and less having to ride the brakes going downhill because the drivetrain retains your speed far better)
 
Also, never drive on dry pavement in 4H or 4L with the hubs locked. If you have any inkling of vehicular feel, you will notice as soon as you take a corner that your vehicle wants to keep driving straight, the steering wheel will kick and buck, and the tires might chirp. This is very hard on the entire driveline because the wheels all need to turn different speeds going around a corner but in 4wd the front and rear (NOT left and right) driveshafts always turn the same speed. Unless you have a locking differential (not to be confused with your manual locking hubs on the front) your left and right wheels are always going to turn different speeds while cornering, or doing a burnout, or when you're stuck in the mud. H So keep this in mind when you are coming down the ski hill road in 4wd and the snow turns to dry pavement. Take the 2 seconds to hit that H4 button to kick it outta 4wd or you might regret it! Cheers, hope that clears things up for ya!
 
Lock the hubs, then hop in and put her in neutral. Hit the h4 button to the right of the steering wheel. Then move the tc stick from high to low depending on terrain.

You do not need to push the 4WD button and shift the stick into low-4 to get into low-4. To get into low-4 just make sure the hubs are locked, stop, put the tranny in neutral, then shift the stick into low-4.
 
Have fun with it, it depends if all the sensor/switches/things are working properly.

If you can test on sand/gravel in front of the house that would be a good start as sometimes it wont go out of 4x4
(that works on vacuum solenoid switches) and if in 4x4 low in a turn it makes a clicking sound the birfields are worn out.
There should be an instructions sticker on the dash ?
Possible problem; will both wheels lock properly, will 4low sensor switch to 4x4, does vacuum work, etc.

This might not exactly be what you have but an indication of how this works:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6D936BcfemZNmNpcUhWVVo1bFU/edit?pli=1

aldo it can be switched to 4x4 hi while driving: better not do that, if a wheel is spinning you can hear a nasty clunk.
Also better not switch to 4x4 in a turn: straight line, stop, switch :beer:
and the other tip: after 4x4 drive backwards to release gearbox tension (nobody does)
 
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