4wd and e-locker usage

Question regarding regular engagement of 4wd and e-locker. First time 4runner owner but original owner 2004 Tacoma with 200k miles on it. For the Tacoma it seems not regularly engaging these causes problems when you need them. I have always engaged both once a month just as habit. Never had any problems with either. Does same logic apply to the 4runner?

 

yes

 

Yes. Find a straight road and pop it in 4wd. I exercise the locker a few times in the driveway.

 

It's good practice. I bought mine used and the locker didn't want to engage at first. I use it once in a while and it engages quickly now.

I use a dirt lot to engage 4low and the locker since I don't really get a chance to use them in the wild.

 

Usually on straight roads in the rain I'll toss on 4hi every so often, then 4lo/locker/play with the ceiling knobs in my yard whenever I think of it

 

It really helps to engage the 4wd (hi, lo, and lockers) to keep the drive line and actuators lubricated. I engage the 4wd once a week and drive a few hundred yards on a flat road or parking lot. Turn them on and off a few times. Doing it once is better than nothing, but IMHO more is better to work out any kinks or binding. (Or realize there is a problem).

 

Does this also apply to the limited? Should it be exercised in H4L and L4L regularly?

 

Yes, I wish I recorded a video when my center diff engaged relatively roughly when I did not exercise for couple of months. Ever since I engage center diff lock time to time. So no matter part time or full-time exercise the 4wd when time permits at least once a month.

 

My first time engaging took about a minute off road going 10 mph. After that no problem all day
Kind of disappointing toyta does not engage faster if not used regularly.

 

How many miles were on it at that point?

 

Yes, I do it at least once a month.

 

40k and 2 years old.
Bought it used, no idea if it was ever engaged

 

That sucks. A minute seems unusually long. Is it like that every time you go out? Or was it just like that the very first time you engaged it?

 

Letting off the throttle some will help it along.

 

That day just the first time.
Have not engaged it since (about a month ago)
Hope to et off road stain soon to see if it improved after activating it that time

 

Maybe try it on a straight section of road if you have a chance. As @whippersnapper02 mentioned, try letting off the throttle momentarily when you engage it, as that seems to help it if it's being stubborn.

 

I thought we were talking about the transfer case. But, in the case of the locker, I would tend to agree with you. If I were to do it again, I'd probably start with an SR5 and add my own lockers.

 

Most people would probably never miss not having a locker.

 

Not me. I use it all the time in the summer.

Edit: I shouldn't say all the time. But, usually every couple of weeks. I usually only need it for about 10 seconds at a time. But, when I need it, I need it.