simple question, can any one teel us how we go about putting our manual $WD Masterace into 4WD. There is a lever to the left of the gear stick and a button on the dash board marked 4WD. Can you give me the sequence of what to do to sfaely engage and disengage 4WD. We have no manual or experience of 4WD.
Thanks
- (#11133) Fiona Knox, 16 Oct 03 13:28
Fiona. The 4 wheel drive, on these vehicles, MUST only be used on a loose surface such as sand, mud, ice, snow or similar. It MUST not be used on dry tarmac because there is no central differential on this transmission and it's use, on dry tarmac will damage the transmission.
To engage 4WD, the "locking hubs" on each of the front wheels, must be set into the "Lock" position. Pressing the 4WD button, on the dashboard, will then give you transmission power to all four wheels. Disengaging the switch will remove transmission power from the front wheels. It is normal to have the front hubs in the "free" postion so that any accidental pressing of the 4WD switch (on the dashboard) will not allow power to be transmitted to the front wheels.
Some vehicles have permanent 4WD and they are fitted with a central differential. The Masterace has a different system, which is very good but, must be used with care.
- (#11134) John Davis, 16 Oct 03 16:41
Further to that info, Some vehicles may have auto locking hubs - it is easy to tell which you have. Manual hubs have a big center peice that has little handles, and two positions marked 'locked' and 'free', while auto hubs have 'auto locking hubs' written on them. Sorry to be so basic about it.
The manual hubs must be in the locked position for 4X4. The Auto hubs do it automatically!
Changing into 4X4 can be done while moving, but not above about 60kph. Simply press the button on the dash, and a light should come on in the instrument cluster.
The lever to the left of the gear stick is the High - Low range selector. Low range is for difficult terrain, soft sand or rocky areas, especially for controlled descents down steep terrain. Most of the time you won't need it, but try it out anyway sometime so you know what it does.
To select Low range, come to a complete stop - you must not be moving at all - and put the vehicle in Neutral, then slide the lever all the way back. you will then find that the vehicle seems to rev harder and drive slower - that is normal.
Going to high range is the reverse procedure - full stop, N, all the way forward. A word of warning, the High-low selector also has a neutral spot which isn't marked - find that spot and you won't go anywhere. (Embarrasing to have the fix-it man come and move the lever all the way! - my brother, not me!!!!!)
As mentioned, and it can't be said enough - No 4X4 on hard roads - you will damage your transmission. Off-road, or slippery roads only, and rain is not normally enough!
Dave.
- (#11135) DaveW, 16 Oct 03 21:22
Dave,
AFAIK no Town/MAster/Lite aces ever came with Auto Locking hubs, however it is possible to fit these units from a Hilux etc as they are the same fitting.
Regards Rob.
- (#11232) Rob Drinkwater, 17 Oct 03 14:11
Sorry Rob, made an assumption, based on the fact that the Tarago Xtra-Trac (Aussie market) was sold with auto hubs, and the van in the US also was.
I have never seen a Jap market Ace with auto hubs, but simply assumed that they did sell them.
Never assume, it only makes an 'Ass' out of 'U' and 'ME'. (HeHeHeHeHE)
Dave.
- (#11233) DaveW, 19 Oct 03 21:15
Thank you for the advice I will go away and try and get to grips with locating the 'locking hubs' position on the front wheels. Have taken note of when should not be used, thanks for that it might have been an expensive experiment otherwise. Will get back for advice if prove incompitent.
Cheers
- (#11503) Fiona, 2 Nov 03 15:34