Trouble shifting Out of Low Range

[lawrance Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lawrance]

The transfer case does not have a clutch to disengage the gears when you are trying to shift from Lo to Hi, so it's really no surprise that you will find it hard at times to get out of low range. You can imagine what it would be like to try and shift out of a gear in a manual without stepping on the clutch.

The easiest way of getting out of low range into high range is to let the vehicle travel at a walking pace (i.e. slowly!) and gearbox in neutral (same for auto and manual). Then put pressure onto the transfer case lever to move it out (but do not force) and then just give a big monentary yank on the handbrake sharply whilst the vehicle is still moving. This will cause a rotational difference in speed between the front and the rear propshafts and the gap in rotation will allow the transfer lever to pop out of gear easily.

It depends on the direction of the windup. Sometimes its easier to do this with the vehicle travelling in reverse (again at a walking pace) but I tend not to do this unless necessary, simply because of the safety aspect - you're already distracted with two hands busy and having to look at where you are going in reverse would make it even tricker!

[4xx4 Driver Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4xx4 Driver]

Re: Trouble shifting Out of Low Range

Sometimes you can't do the right thing.

On one creek crossing I did recently, with a 2 tonne OR van behind, I needed low range for the steep exit, until the van came out. By that time the car was on hard dry roadbase approaching a sharp left turn in a cutting. Shifted into high unlocked, but the locked light stayed on, as it often does. Backed up, van now going back into the creek. Went forward again - still the light was on. Messed around a bit, but couldn't get it to unlock. Eventually went ahead and made the turn to get out of the way and could hear the tyres crunching the gravel as the transmission wound up. I got onto grass, straightened up, did the reverse thing again and it sorted itself out.

But I didn't like what I had to do.

2007 D4D auto GXL

Frank

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: Trouble shifting Out of Low Range

I had this same issue occur after a trip I did today!!! Manual D-4D, just finished the 4WD session of thr trip and wanted to change from LL to H - the bloody stick wouldn't budge! Really put a sour taste to an otherwise perfect weekend of 4WD-ing.

Had to tow the car (snatch trap with the car in N) to my mates parents farm which was luckly down the road. Getting it towed to a local Toyota dealership first thing in the morning. Can't sleep (on the Blackberry) thinking of how to best vent my frustrations in a civilised manner to Mr Toyota.

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: Trouble shifting Out of Low Range

An update on the issue: looks like someone forgot to align the selectors before they put the stubbie knob back into the transfer case. As a result the synchro hub, synchro springs and dogs are damaged and need to be replaced. This must have occurred when I got the clutch kit replaced - the weekend's trip was the first time HL and LL where engaged. Luckily the dealership who replaced the job owned up to the mistake and is wearing the full cost of repairs.