Need some help from the 4Runner Community

[Ryan Matthes]

I am member on EXPO and an avid Jeeper and do all my own work - the reason for my post on this forum is that my buddy has a 4Runner that we are trying to get ready for a trail trip and it won't engage 4 Lo and I have never touched a Toyota. It is an '03 SR5 with the electronic 4WD engagement. Apparently it just beeps at him. Thoughts on where I should start looking for the issue?

Second question - he is around 90K miles and is looking to have the timing belt changed - have many folks had issues around the 90K range?

Any help or information is much appreciated.

Thanks
Ryan

 

[deadbeat son]

The 4 lo issue is most likely a bad actuator on the transfer case. It's a pricey fix, as you need to pull & split the case to replace it. I cycle my tacoma and my 4runner into 4 lo once a month to exercise the actuator in hopes to prevent it from freezing up, but that doesn't do you any good now.

What engine does he have? I thought the 4.0 V6 had a timing chain instead of a belt.

 

[Owyhee H]

Assuming the engine is the 4.7L you should do your timing belt as per the FSM interval but I have never heard of one having problems at 90K.

For the transfer case, is he in neutral with the foot bake on? If you are following the shifting procedure in the manual try moving a little, while in neutral and with foot brake. If it's still not working than there is more than likely a problem with the actuator. Crawl under and make sure all the connections are connected and maybe clean all the contacts if they are.

Has he been doing water crossings? That can mess with the connections and motor.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Before you do anything else let me ask a dumb question:

Is the transmission in neutral? Because if not the t-case will not switch to 4 lo no matter what you do.

Another question: Has this vehicle been in 4 lo before and if so, how long ago? An 11 year old 4runner that's never been in 4 lo is more likely to have problems with the T-case. 4 lo, center diff lock and 4wd (on the V6 models) are "use it or lose it" on that generation of vehicles.

 

[Ryan Matthes]

Thanks for the replies. I checked with him on the neutral question - yes, tran on N and tried both stopped and slightly rolling on our way out to lunch. No go. You can hear it trying to engage, but doesn't engage. He says it's probably been a year since it was last in 4lo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[v_man]

I would try ...

Go into 4h, get the truck going about 5mph , take foot off of gas and as truck is slowing to a stop , try to drop into 4L ... try this same thing in reverse .

I would try just about anything before biting the bullet on replacing a stuck actuator , that's big $$$ , best of luck .

 

[Ryan Matthes]

Thanks - will have him try this after work and see if there is progress.

Follow up question - is the noise that I am hearing when 4Lo is switch to - like a electronic motor noise - trying to engage, the "actuator" or is the linkage electronic and the actuator is a gear engagement.

This makes me love the old lever handle in my Jeep - but my Expedition is electronic, so I have vested interest as well as my buddy.

Thanks

 

[Jeremy P.]

The previous owner of my 4runner had a similar problem and decided against repairing the stock t-case and went with this:


And this:

 

[v_man]

sweeeet , I have twin sticks and love it . I roll around in 2wd with the rear locked all the time , saving a little wear and tear on front axle components .

The cost that Marlin setup might be less than the cost of fixing your actuator :ylsmoke: ....

 

[Ryan Matthes]

Thanks - will have him try this after work and see if there is progress.

Follow up question - is the noise that I am hearing when 4Lo is switch to - like a electronic motor noise - trying to engage, the "actuator" or is the linkage electronic and the actuator is a gear engagement.

This makes me love the old lever handle in my Jeep - but my Expedition is electronic, so I have vested interest as well as my buddy.

Thanks

 

[Martinjmpr]

The previous owner of my 4runner had a similar problem and decided against repairing the stock t-case and went with this:
View attachment 224059

And this:
View attachment 224060

That's sweet but isn't it like a $5k job? Also you lose your AWD/Multi-mode capability (not that that's a huge loss, but I do kind of like it on the 4th gen V6.)

Also, did he replace the ADD in the front diff as well?

If mine ever went out (knock wood!) I'd be tempted to do something similar given that the standard T-case repair is on the order of $3k.

 

[deadbeat son]

Follow up question - is the noise that I am hearing when 4Lo is switch to - like a electronic motor noise - trying to engage, the "actuator" or is the linkage electronic and the actuator is a gear engagement.

An electromechanical actuator is an electric motor that turns a gear drive to extend or retract a rod. In this case, that rod is what moves the gears in the t-case from the high to the low position. The gears are probably all gummed up from lack of use, and may or may not be freed up from previously mentioned suggestions.

For more information about what this all looks like, see here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151582-4lo-actuator-rebuild.html

 

[Jeremy P.]

I don't know the total cost of the lefty install since I didn't have it done, but the previous owner said the inchworm lefty case itself is about the same cost as the actuator repair by the dealer. I still have the front axle disconnect but it is controlled by a separate up/down toggle switch now. I can't engage it on the fly (unless I want a loud bang). If I'm in an area that I may need 4wd, I just engage the front and the dash light still comes on, then I can shift between 2 and 4wd on the fly since the front diff/driveshaft is spinning, just like when manual locking hubs are locked in. I do think the multimode 4wd in the stock 4runner is nice and wish I had that option for snowy roads.