1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Using 4High? or H2?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by PCRIDE4RUNNER, Dec 27, 2018.

  1. Dec 27, 2018 at 7:58 AM
    #1
    PCRIDE4RUNNER

    PCRIDE4RUNNER [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2018
    Member:
    #5722
    Messages:
    426
    SUPER DUPER
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    What are the scenarios I would use 4H? It looks like you can drive slow freeway speeds in winter conditions in 4H?

    What is H2? and what would you use that for vs staying in N and having 2WD like in normal daily driving?

    Any help would be great.
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  2. Dec 27, 2018 at 9:55 AM
    #2
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2016
    Member:
    #1882
    Messages:
    2,369
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    406
    Vehicle:
    '16 TP
    Umm... lets see.
    2H is dry pavement, no adverse conditions day or night.
    4H is adverse conditions, low traction due to ice, snow, mud, insect migration, mud, cow shit, etc.
    4L is the fun stuff.
    And well, 'N' is neutral, that's no fun.
     
    stewtopia, DrewMan, WallyT4R and 4 others like this.
  3. Dec 27, 2018 at 11:37 AM
    #3
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #7416
    Messages:
    471
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD ORP
    Wait a minute here...if the op thinks N is normal driving has he ever driven his 4runner?
     
    DrewMan, Strandskov and ManBeast like this.
  4. Dec 27, 2018 at 12:06 PM
    #4
    PCRIDE4RUNNER

    PCRIDE4RUNNER [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2018
    Member:
    #5722
    Messages:
    426
    SUPER DUPER
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    I was under the impression it sits in N on the transfer case, but looks like its 2H. I've taken it up in the hills and wheeled around but looking it at it the other day, for some reason assumed it was in N.

    Who drives in the snow in 4H?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  5. Dec 27, 2018 at 12:10 PM
    #5
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Member:
    #2304
    Messages:
    1,772
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/ KDSS
    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    I did the whole way to work today, roads were compact snow and ice with only the intersections being slushy.
     
    WallyT4R and Strandskov like this.
  6. Dec 27, 2018 at 1:23 PM
    #6
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #7416
    Messages:
    471
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD ORP
    Most everyone I'm thinking.
     
    WallyT4R, Strandskov and jester243 like this.
  7. Dec 27, 2018 at 3:33 PM
    #7
    PCRIDE4RUNNER

    PCRIDE4RUNNER [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2018
    Member:
    #5722
    Messages:
    426
    SUPER DUPER
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    My Jeep Cherokee had All Wheel Drive, Quadra_Trac which is close to what 4H is. Can't wait to try it out! its snowing now!
     
    Strandskov and jester243 like this.
  8. Dec 27, 2018 at 3:43 PM
    #8
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #7416
    Messages:
    471
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD ORP
    Of course, depends on how much snow we're talking, but if you do need extra traction, 4H is generally where you should be in the snow (unless we're talking about one of those rare times when 4low might be needed to be able to use the locker or something).
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  9. Dec 27, 2018 at 3:51 PM
    #9
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2018
    Member:
    #5354
    Messages:
    1,094
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Layton, Utah
    Vehicle:
    18 TRD O.R

    If your trans case is in neutral,.. you won't go anywhere,.. just like your transmission.. if its in neutral,... welp.... just sit and rev.

    Edit- do you wanna go more than 10mph? But in 4wd? Then 4h it is. 4l is for crawling/geared lower.
    And yes, I use 4h for highway, shit roads. Aka wanna drive, with 4wd, but go faster, speed wise. Not rocket surgery or brain science here.
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  10. Dec 27, 2018 at 4:06 PM
    #10
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #7416
    Messages:
    471
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD ORP
    I'm thinking OP might have a Limited with full time awd, so that right there might be the confusion here. That said, RTM:)
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  11. Dec 27, 2018 at 4:47 PM
    #11
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    I drive often in 4H at 65mph when there's snow and slush on the road. No problems. It's turning corners on dry pavement where you run into binding.

    If you have a limited, you shouldn't need 4H unless the snow is deep.

    I just went barreling around in some snow today in 4H just for fun. The runner gets around really well.
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  12. Dec 27, 2018 at 8:02 PM
    #12
    4X4Runner

    4X4Runner The Anti Pro, Pro! Staff Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2014
    Member:
    #2
    Messages:
    1,541
    Gender:
    Male
    The left coast
    Vehicle:
    2017 4Runner Smashed Ass Edition
    Mad driver mod. OME Suspension. 285/70R17 BFG AT KO2
    If it’s snowing and slushy on the road I’ll drive in 4H. Figure the added benefit of the front wheels pulling can’t hurt.

    I’ve driven the Shasta’s and Siskiyou’s in snowy conditions and fun 4H and a speed that’s comfortable.
     
    7385, 4runningMan and Strandskov like this.
  13. Dec 27, 2018 at 9:23 PM
    #13
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2018
    Member:
    #7416
    Messages:
    471
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD ORP
    OK, so if we're talking a Limited with fulltime 4wd, then 4H is locking the center diff. Somebody with more knowledge of the Limited's 4wd system can chime in here but I believe that in 4H it's no different than an SR5 in 4H, so not for use unless off road or on a slick surface. I would guess that for a Limited on-road, even in snow, leaving it in full time is better for most circumstances.
     
    jester243 and Strandskov like this.
  14. Dec 27, 2018 at 9:35 PM
    #14
    4X4Runner

    4X4Runner The Anti Pro, Pro! Staff Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2014
    Member:
    #2
    Messages:
    1,541
    Gender:
    Male
    The left coast
    Vehicle:
    2017 4Runner Smashed Ass Edition
    Mad driver mod. OME Suspension. 285/70R17 BFG AT KO2
    Gospel right there. One trip I was passed by a power wagon pushing 60 at the least. Few miles up the road he’s 1/2 way up an embankment ass backwards and axle deep in snow.


    Tires help a lot too, my STi with AWD couldn’t get any grip in snow or slush with the performance tires. Made for a lot of fun drifting though.
     
  15. Dec 27, 2018 at 10:36 PM
    #15
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    I think you have more control in 4H in snow. Having the front wheels "pulling" you in turns is more effective than the rear wheels "pushing" alone. Especially when you're running a siped, all-season tire.

    If it's slippery and I'm trying to avoid rear ending a stopped vehicle ahead, I'd MUCH rather be in 4H than 2H. Rather than continuing a slide, sometimes it's better to give a little gas and attempt to turn away. Maybe a front tire will grab.

    Now, there's about a thousand variables at play here, and there no one size fits all answer. But I can say I'm much more comfortable in 4H in slippery conditions. No question.

    Do you "need" 4H to get around? No. Is it safer? Yes, I think it is.
     
    7385, jester243 and WallyT4R like this.
  16. Dec 27, 2018 at 10:37 PM
    #16
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    I tend to agree with you.
     
  17. Dec 27, 2018 at 11:16 PM
    #17
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Member:
    #6644
    Messages:
    2,443
    This last snow storm I probably drove 75 miles in 4H. I also drive 10 miles a month on a straight road in 4H like my owners manual says to. YMMV.
     
    alittleoff, 7385 and Backslider like this.
  18. Dec 29, 2018 at 12:40 PM
    #18
    fixer5000

    fixer5000 the logical one

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2017
    Member:
    #5067
    Messages:
    105
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    steve
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2018 limited in nautical blue with redwood leather
    no plans
    you would be right....mine works just fine in full time and you know what kinda snow we get here lol
     
  19. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:11 AM
    #19
    stewtopia

    stewtopia 4RunningTundra

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2018
    Member:
    #6423
    Messages:
    132
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Silver SR5
    Way safer in taking corners as you can pull your self in the direction you want to go.
     
    7385 and 4runningMan like this.
  20. Dec 30, 2018 at 5:45 PM
    #20
    Oobaa47

    Oobaa47 New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2018
    Member:
    #5956
    Messages:
    34
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 sr5
    Ok, I definitely win the Darwin Award for the day. so I was reading this thread early this morning, and realized I haven't put it in 4 high in over 6 months. So I put it into 4 high planning on only going a few blocks, but I got distracted and ended up leaving it in 4 high the entire duration of the trip. I went on a highway and was doing a good 65 mph for most of the trip. It was like a 20-minute trip there and back before I realized it. No big deal or did I risk damaging something?
     
  21. Dec 30, 2018 at 6:25 PM
    #21
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    You're fine. If you didn't notice any binding you probably didn't turn sharp enough to cause any damage.
     
    7385 and Mass4runner like this.
  22. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:58 PM
    #22
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Member:
    #6644
    Messages:
    2,443
    Yep common sense is still your friend no matter the conditions...speed is not.
     
    7385 likes this.
  23. Dec 31, 2018 at 12:36 AM
    #23
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    At higher speeds and cornering, would you rather be in 2wd or 4wd? I'd rather be in 4.
     
  24. Jun 13, 2019 at 5:23 PM
    #24
    toy33

    toy33 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    Member:
    #8596
    Messages:
    192
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    T. Batey
    CA: OC LA SD BB
    Vehicle:
    2016 Platinum Tundra 4x4
    Driver Grab handle, Billy 4600 up front, OME 0-2 Sport Shocks in back, CoachBuilder +1 Shackles, AJT accents and fob case, Rear axle breather mod, Meso custom leds, Pass side oem matte clips, Fencing over air ducts, New TRD Pro grill, Black TRD pro led haedlights, Angels baseball steering wheel cover, 'T' Toyota Trucks billet hitch cover. Pro high grade tint all windows, PPF on front hood, grill and lights, led oem black fogs, shorty antenna.
    Noob question but when driving in heavy snow and having to park in it, would you just leave it in 4H instead of having to reengage 4x4 when starting again ?
     
  25. Jun 13, 2019 at 6:54 PM
    #25
    Cpb2019

    Cpb2019 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2019
    Member:
    #10141
    Messages:
    23
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Off-road
    I would.
     
    jester243 and toy33[QUOTED] like this.
  26. Jun 13, 2019 at 9:56 PM
    #26
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    Yep, I'd just leave it in 4H, unless you're sitting on dry pavement.
     
    WallyT4R and toy33[QUOTED] like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top