When to use 4WD LOW? (1 Viewer)

[2002TLCyes]

This is probably an embarassingly noob question, but I never was really taught when to 4WD Low exactly. I have to drive on the beach every day for work, but it never adds up to more than 5 miles per day total, with a lot of it being half mile trips back and forth. I have a 2002 land cruiser with BF T/A tires, and it does it like a champ. I have the tires up at about 35PSI and never air down.

But I have to think that it puts strain on the transmission, so what can I do to reduce stress on the components as much as possible? Especially if I may be tasked with traversing 5 miles or more in one shot? I've tried keeping it in 4WD High, but leaving the gear lever in L so that it only stays in 1st gear. I figure this one is the easiest on the transmission, but it might make the engine overheat eventually.

In 4WD Low, I have to think it should stress the tranny less, until it hits 3rd gear, but at that point I'm cruising, so it probably doesn't matter too much.

So what do you say, what's the best practice on beach driving?

 

[geanes]

I use 4LO ONLY when I need the gearing to pull up a steep off-road hill/obstacle or very loose terrain. 4HI works fine in 99% of the situations I find myself in. I did everything in Colorado except for 2 very specific areas on Imogene Pass in 4HI and never had any issue with traction or pulling power. Do the PIN mod so you can manually lock/unlock the center diff. Remember, standard operation in a J100 is that 4LO auto-locks the center diff. Finally, when disengaging 4LO, I find it prudent to reverse a foot or so to let the diff unwind. Then, I move the shifter into 4HI. I have run my 98 LX on South Padre Island (8 miles of varying sand) many times in 4HI while aired down to 30psi and never had any issue (knocks on wood).

NEVER run 4LO above 20mph IMHO. The wear on the gears can be pronounced. If you need to go that fast, 4HI is fine.

 

[Travis351]

I always run in Low Range when driving in loose sand. I have a transmission temperature gauge and found that it shot up to over 200 degrees in just a couple of minutes of driving in loose sand when the transmission was in high range. It stayed within its regular temp when I was in Low Range.

 

[TXLX100]

If you are going to be in situations with a lot of wheel slippage, 4low will perform better and less wear. The flip side of it is you can't go as fast as you can in 4high, but if the sand is loose you probably don't want to go fast in 4H anyhow.

 

[codertimt]

Remember, standard operation in a J100 is that 4LO auto-locks the center diff.

Just FYI, that is only applicable for '98/'99. Not applicable for 2000+ model years. No sand experience, so no advice there, but do have transmission replacement experience, so I would say watching temp and acting accordingly is definitely good advice.

 

[geanes]

Just FYI, that is only applicable for '98/'99. Not applicable for 2000+ model years. No sand experience, so no advice there, but do have transmission replacement experience, so I would say watching temp and acting accordingly is definitely good advice.

Oh yeah, forgot that '00 and newer don't have that worry with the auto center diff lock

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Read your owner's manual, actually has some good info about using 4 Low. Basically when you need maximum traction.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

<snip>.

NEVER run 4LO above 20mph IMHO. The wear on the gears can be pronounced. If you need to go that fast, 4HI is fine.

What? Source for this claim

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This is probably an embarassingly noob question, but I never was really taught when to 4WD Low exactly. I have to drive on the beach every day for work, but it never adds up to more than 5 miles per day total, with a lot of it being half mile trips back and forth. I have a 2002 land cruiser with BF T/A tires, and it does it like a champ. I have the tires up at about 35PSI and never air down.

But I have to think that it puts strain on the transmission, so what can I do to reduce stress on the components as much as possible? Especially if I may be tasked with traversing 5 miles or more in one shot? I've tried keeping it in 4WD High, but leaving the gear lever in L so that it only stays in 1st gear. I figure this one is the easiest on the transmission, but it might make the engine overheat eventually.

In 4WD Low, I have to think it should stress the tranny less, until it hits 3rd gear, but at that point I'm cruising, so it probably doesn't matter too much.

So what do you say, what's the best practice on beach driving?

13PSI and high range done it many many times without any increase in water or trans temps at speed

If you are climbing sand hills then I use the same PSI but switch to low range and pin it!

Our Lexus was built for the beach

 

[REKCUT]

You can run low or high dependent on RPM's. Its not a speed issue. Nothing wrong with working through the gears. Personally if you are only using 1st gear then you should be able to move to low without a problem. I am normally driving in a 40, 60, or an 80 with oversized tires so i will almost always go to low anytime I'm on unimproved roads or trails.

 

[Ayune]

I always run in Low Range when driving in loose sand. I have a transmission temperature gauge and found that it shot up to over 200 degrees in just a couple of minutes of driving in loose sand when the transmission was in high range. It stayed within its regular temp when I was in Low Range.

@Travis351 I want a transmission temp gauge for my '98 LC. I get a burning smell from underneath when doing a lot of slow driving in 4H. My fluid looks fine, though. How did you implement yours gauge, ScanGauge or something else?

 

[geanes]

What? Source for this claim

Just my opinion. Like many of my opinions, facts may not necessarily back them up I just figure that if I can go over 20mph, then 4LO isn't really required.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

@Travis351 I want a transmission temp gauge for my '98 LC. I get a burning smell from underneath when doing a lot of slow driving in 4H. My fluid looks fine, though. How did you implement yours gauge, ScanGauge or something else?

ScanGauge will give you trans temps

Not @Travis351 but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once

 

[Ohthetrees]

I do it when the engine rpms seem to rev up without the truck really going proportionately faster. That is from the torque converter slipping (as designed). As a practical matter, if it requires significant throttle, and speeds are generally below 6-8mph, I’ll switch to low. It’s time to switch back to high when the trans shifts to 3rd (low) and stays there for more than a minute or so.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Just my opinion. Like many of my opinions, facts may not necessarily back them up I just figure that if I can go over 20mph, then 4LO isn't really required.

OK why IYO would gear wear be excess?
Also one cannot make it up a steep sand hill under 20 MPH in Low range or in high range for that matter.

 

[geanes]

OK why IYO would gear wear be excess?
Also one cannot make it up a steep sand hill under 20 MPH in Low range or in high range for that matter.

I just think of 4LO as gearing designed for greater torque vs speed consequently geared more for crawling or pulling at lower speeds. Thankfully, we don't have significant sand hills in TX. We mostly have gravel roads, rock and dirt inclines (muddy at times) and beaches that are flat, but deep sand. I haven't had the opportunity to do to my LX what the guys over in Qatar are doing

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I just think of 4LO as gearing designed for greater torque vs speed consequently geared more for crawling or pulling at lower speeds. Thankfully, we don't have significant sand hills in TX. We mostly have gravel roads, rock and dirt inclines (muddy at times) and beaches that are flat, but deep sand. I haven't had the opportunity to do to my LX what the guys over in Qatar are doing

Fair enough but to claim excessive gear wear with zero data is just wrong. This exactly how false rumors get started. To the contrary I have never heard of low range gears wearing out, they are huge if you have ever seen them and the oiling system is superior to any other case I have seen. In addition I logged 1000's of miles in Low range with speeds above 20 mph with zero issue, clean fluid changes and no noticeable wear when the tcase has been apart.

 

[pbreisch]

13PSI and high range done it many many times without any increase in water or trans temps at speed

If you are climbing sand hills then I use the same PSI but switch to low range and pin it!

Our Lexus was built for the beach

Where is this? I need this right about now!

 

[68W65D]

Also... vehicles with AHC will stay in high at a faster speed while in 4LO. That is one of the main reasons I use it.

 

[2002TLCyes]

Lol well it seems like there are as many different opinions as there are people on the subject.


Anyone else can chime in? I have also noticed a burning smell coming from the car after I've driven it in 4hi for a while