Connecting with the Montero

[fi.robin]

The road I am talking about is in Waipio Valley, Big Island. I didn't drive on it, rentals don't allow. It did look very steep. This is what wiki has to say - 'A steep road leads down into the valley from a lookout point located on the top of the southern wall of the valley. The road gains 800 vertical feet (243.84 m) in 0.6 miles (0.9 km) at a 25% average grade, with steeper grades in sections. This is a paved public road but it is open only to 4 wheel drive vehicles. It is the steepest road of its length in the United States and possibly the world.'

It just left me wondering how I would do it in the Monty.

 

[mapper]

I'd think using 4L would be the answer. If I'm not mistaken most "traditional" 4x4s, until more recent models, will have a locked center differential in 4H and 4L using a chain or gear driven transfer case without employing a center differential. The Montero 4H without a locked center diff was actually pretty unique at the time as it is really more like AWD. More modern 4x4s have followed this model of including a center differential that may/may not be lockable.

 

[fi.robin]

I'd think using 4L would be the answer.

You mean the 4L in the 4runner or 4Llc in the Montero? The 4runner didn't have the CDL so 4L would have been okay. The road was steep, paved and curved.

 

[Inyo_man]

4H+ 1st gear is the best option if you don't run the rig in 4L.
I can't help thinking that this situation doesn't present itself too often.
So using the brakes with 4H and first would be the go. One example that comes to mind is the Old Priest Grade on the west side of the Sierras.
Coming down that will surely use some of your brake pads, but again, how often is that going to happen...

 

[fi.robin]

@mapper,Inyo_man,nckwltn - thanks for the assurance. I might be heading into Sierras this June. Will keep posted on how it goes.

Last November I did the Laurel Lakes trail in Xterra. I remember I was on the brakes a lot even after being in the lowest gear. Was stopping every 5-10 minutes to let the brakes cool down.

Few Pics from the trip

 

[mapper]

You mean the 4L in the 4runner or 4Llc in the Montero? The 4runner didn't have the CDL so 4L would have been okay. The road was steep, paved and curved.

Using 4Llc in Montero and, correspondingly, 4L is most 4x4s is what I meant. In my mind the Montero 4H is equivalent to AWD and 4Hlc and 4Llc are equivalent to "traditional" 4H and 4L. Don't take my word as gospel though. I'm pretty new to real 4x4 world. I was kind of hoping my own comment would illicit some agreement/disagreement about the "traditional" 4x4s. Again, I take "traditional" to mean those 4x4s without a "full time" 4wd OR some other AWD option (such as "Torque on Demand in Troopers or SuperSelect in Mitsu-speak). Toyota uses "full time" 4WD with an open center diff on newer Land Cruisers and some 4runners. Which is why they then have a switch for a center diff lock, in addition to H/L range selector.

Having the AWD option is what makes the Montero such a good choice for foul weather highway driving. My understanding is those "traditional" 4x4s without some kind of AWD option, using an "open" center differential should not be running highway speeds on slippery pavement in 4H because it can lead to spin outs much more easily. Can it be done? Absolutely. But an open center diff is much more stable/safe....hence the rise of AWD rather than true 4WD for most drivers...who never/rarely leave pavement.

I will say, however, that I've heard a few people say "low range" is most frequently used/useful in descending steep slopes.

 

[vanatee2000]

I agree with mapper. Locking the center diff ensures a 50/50 power split between front and rear diffs. The front and rear diffs will remain open so there isn't much worry about...if you also locked the rear diff it would be a different story because it would force both rear wheels to rotate a the same speed, which is bad for normal driving since when you turn the inside and outside wheels rotate at different speeds usually. Think of 4h as awd, good for freeway driving in bad weather. 4hlc would be like 4wd in most vehicles like a bronco or truck etc. The gears in the transfer case are not changed but half the power will go to one front tire and half will go to one rear tire. 4llc is the same power split only now it use a the shorter gearing of the transfer case for high torque and low speeds. You will notice high rpms but little speed increases. This is good for climbing over rocks and up or down extremely steep hills. As for using 4llc (4 low in most 4x4s) I would be hesitant to use it in place of brakes..brakes are far cheaper than drive train components. Only in certain circumstances should 4 llc be used in place of brakes. But on steep declines you shouldn't gently hold the brakes, you should pump them so they can have a chance to cool down