4 Low question- Is this normal? Newbie

Hey All,

Just started looking for a 5th gen 4runner. This will be my first true 4x4. On test drive on a gravel road, I switched into 4L. When I applied a little throttle, the engine revs climbed then the transmission engaged. It surged/bumped forwarded. I noticed this every time I started from a stop.

I understand the increase in engine RPM due to the gear ratio but it almost felt like the torque converter slipping. Then when hitting a certain RPM, it kicked in and the 4Runner started to move.

Is this normal?

 

Oh, and sincere thank you to the admins for not making me jump thru hoops to post like the other 4runner forum.

 

That bump is a gear shift. There's no slipping, the gear is just that short in low range. Shift into 1st and see how slow you go.

 

Hopefully you tested on dirt/gravel but that may be normal, shifting gears or just because there is so much torque.

 

Welcome from Arizona!
That sounds normal.

 

of course it has to slip a bit with the 4 Low gearing when starting from a stand still, else the engine would stall.

 

1st gear in 4L might not feel like you are moving much due to the gear reduction of 4L. You don't really start to go anywhere until 2nd & 3rd kick in. Even then, it's not very fast.

 

4L is fun!

 

Welcome

 

welcome

 

Welcome to the forum and to 4Lo. That bump is your 1-2 gear shift. Normal.

 

If the car was moving forward when you said the RPMs were climbing, then yes it’s normal. Like others have said, that’s the 1-2 shift. The shift happens pretty quick the rpms climb pretty quick in first.

I usually like to put the shifter into S mode in 4lo, so I can time the 1-2 shift myself.