Pretty self explanatory. I took a trip today in the little snowstorm we had on the east coast. I have a 1998 Limited 3.4 V6 A/T with a E-locker. It's before the fancy multi-mode upgrade of newer years, just 2 Hi and 4 Hi and Low.

I believe the manual says I can shift on the fly up to 35 MPH. Does anyone know the maximum speed I can shift OUT of 4 Hi (button on lever).

Also have heard differing answers on the top speed while in 4 Hi. I had it up to 75 MPH without any strange noises or vibrations but don't want to blow up my transfer case or driveline.

Experts?

 

i did 105 on the highway once and everything seemed fine except for the gas gauge droppin really fast haha and thats the point also that the governor kicked in o well

 

you can go into 4hi at speeds up to 60mph. 4LOw 5mph or less. If I am not stopped 4LOW usually grinds.

 

I have heard on multiple occasions you can shift into 4hi at any speeds up to 75mph. I assume that out is the same. I rarely/never shift into 4wd at any speeds faster than 40mph anyway.

I too was driving in the storm last night, and I shifted out of 4hi at 50mph like buttah.

 

I've shifted into 4hi at 70 MPH many, many times. No problems. I don't have multi-mode 4WD.

 

If you want to keep the wear off of your transfer case, you should shift it at 55 MPH or less. Besides, if you need 4wd on the road to drive, you probably shouldn't be going a whole lot faster then that.

 

You shouldn't shift into 4WD above 55MPH.

 

shifting into and out of...safe speed is probably around the 50's or 60's...but just driving you could probably go fairly fast LOL

 

Thanks for the answers. I agree that if it is really slippery you shouldn't bomb along at 75, but the traffic was speeding up and slowing down, the road was sometimes just wet (and I have an outside temperature gauge that I was watching closely to make sure the temps were above freezing) and I wasn't sure if I should limit my top speed to 60 mph in 4 Hi or if I could go to 75 and not exceed my transfer cases gearing.
Is there anything in writing for Toyota that I can reference?

 

Mine won 't let you shift into 4hi above 60. It's a '98 Limited with the push button 4hi.

 

I don't think I have ever tried it above 40. Was afraid that it would damage something.

How fast have you gone in 4 Hi?

 

well in my old '02 dodge diesel 6speed i could shift into 4wd at any speed..and i there was no limit on top speed in 4wd..now 4lo as a different animal all together...it was mean when it got in 4lo...could pull houses down LMAO

 

There's a sticker or card thing on the driver's sun visor that states the 4hi and 4lo recommended speeds. Mines says that the highest recommended speed for 4hi is around 55mph and 5 mph for 4lo. I also have a 98 limited with the shift on the fly transfer case.

 

according to the visor card, without multi mode, 50mph shifting in and no limit out. with multi mode, 60mph in and no limit out

 

Here is the shifting procedure from the owners manual.
2001 4Runner SR5, should be the same as your limited......



I see that it doesn't even answer your question :doh:

 

I drove my 96 tacoma across Kansas in a snow storm on I-70. I was in 4WD most of the time, and driving over 70 MPH most of the way.
I dont think it was a great idea, but everybody on the road was going less than 50 MPH in the only plowed lane. I jumped over to the unplowed lane and balled that jack clear through the state, and halfway through Colorado.

I dont have a drop diff, and a year later, I had a bearing problem on one of the front axles. Could have been from that day in the Blizzard. who knows???

 

For the longest time thought you couldn't use 4-Hi beyond 60mph. This whole time, been misreading the card. Only to shift you have to be below 60mph. Cool!

 

I've done 70+ in 4wd all day long but I never shift into 4hi above 55 but releasing it at any speed should be alright.

 

Mayor Mannino doesn't allow 4 wheel drive. How is mummbles these days. i always slowed to a stop to shift to 4 WD.