Toyota: 98 toyota 4wd, manual hubs, drivetrain components


Question
I just bought a 1998 toyota tacoma 4X4.  My first 4x4.  My question is... it has a stick shift on the floor for 4H, 4low, and 2h.  I assume this shifts it into 4wd, but it also has a on and off locks on the front hubs.  Do these need to be turned on also before 4wd is achieved?  

Answer
Hi Greg,

It sounds like you have manual locking hubs.  Yes, the hubs need to both be in the "Locked" position to achieve 4WD.

Note: If you try to shift into 4H while moving without the hubs locked, you will get a grinding noise, and might damage the transfer case.  You can shift into 4H when stopped, but you will only be turning the front axle shafts, not the front wheels when you start moving again.

I have the same Tacoma that you do - a 98 4x4 with Manual hubs.  I always lock in the hubs before I start out on a drive that I know will involve 4WD.  It doesn't hurt anything to drive with them locked in 2H.  Then you are ready to shift into 4H or 4L whenever needed without getting out of the truck.  In fact, its recommended that you drive a few miles per month with the hubs locked in 2H to lubricate the front drivetrain components.  However, don't leave them locked all the time, or you'll get slightly worse gas mileage than usual, plus you're putting extra wear on the front drivetrain.

You probably already knew this, but never use 4H or 4L on pavement or other high-friction surfaces.  It puts the drivetrain under too much stress on curves when the wheels need to turn at different speeds and they can't get any slippage.  Only use 4WD in snow or dirt/gravel roads (or worse, LOL).

Also be aware that you do not have a locking differential, so if you get one tire on the front stuck plus one tire on the back stuck, you're stuck.  That's the way they come from the factory.  The 98 Limited and TRDs had an optional rear locking differential that would get you out of those kind of situations, but it isn't available with manual hubs.  

Manual hubs are very sought-after, though, they give you the ability to lift the truck higher with less wear on the front components.

Check out http://www.tacomaterritory.com for a ton of info on your truck, plus a bunch of crazy guys/gals to go wheelin' with.  :-)