Running in low range 4wd with front hubs unlocked

I have a 1976 SWB Toyota Landcruiser with a dodgy handbrake, so need to park
it in gear when on a slope to stop it going places. I was on a particularly
steep slope and it could still slowly creep along, so engaged 4x4 low range
to stop that (it works well). I also have a notice on my dash warning not to
engage 4wd without having the front hubs locked as this might cause damage.
I don't have limited slip diffs or any other fancy gear - is it true that
engaging 4wd (or especially low range 4wd) without the front hubs being
locked can cause some kind of damage as the notice says? My understanding is
that the front drive train will be operating, but the front wheels will
simply be disconnected and spin freely.

I don't know how strong Toyota's are, but my owners manual for my Jeep
CJ7 says I can use 4 low '2 WD' with 'caution' if high torque is
needed. The high torque 'can' break things if you really get on the
gas.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Neil Klaer wrote:
>
> I have a 1976 SWB Toyota Landcruiser with a dodgy handbrake, so need to park
> it in gear when on a slope to stop it going places. I was on a particularly
> steep slope and it could still slowly creep along, so engaged 4x4 low range
> to stop that (it works well). I also have a notice on my dash warning not to
> engage 4wd without having the front hubs locked as this might cause damage.
> I don't have limited slip diffs or any other fancy gear - is it true that
> engaging 4wd (or especially low range 4wd) without the front hubs being
> locked can cause some kind of damage as the notice says? My understanding is
> that the front drive train will be operating, but the front wheels will
> simply be disconnected and spin freely.

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I don't know how strong Toyota's are, but my owners manual for my Jeep
> CJ7 says I can use 4 low '2 WD' with 'caution' if high torque is
> needed. The high torque 'can' break things if you really get on the
> gas.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> Neil Klaer wrote:
> ?
> ? I have a 1976 SWB Toyota Landcruiser with a dodgy handbrake, so need to park
> ? it in gear when on a slope to stop it going places. I was on a particularly
> ? steep slope and it could still slowly creep along, so engaged 4x4 low range
> ? to stop that (it works well). I also have a notice on my dash warning not to
> ? engage 4wd without having the front hubs locked as this might cause damage.
> ? I don't have limited slip diffs or any other fancy gear - is it true that
> ? engaging 4wd (or especially low range 4wd) without the front hubs being
> ? locked can cause some kind of damage as the notice says? My understanding is
> ? that the front drive train will be operating, but the front wheels will
> ? simply be disconnected and spin freely.

I use 2-LO all the time in my '85 4Runner. I do have dual transfer
cases, so have a true 2-LO. Yes, there is a slight concern with putting
2X the torque to just the rear drivesahft and axle, but unless you are
dropping the clutch from redline, its likely not a serious issue.

--
Roger

"Roger Brown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Romain wrote:
> >
> > I don't know how strong Toyota's are, but my owners manual for my Jeep
> > CJ7 says I can use 4 low '2 WD' with 'caution' if high torque is
> > needed. The high torque 'can' break things if you really get on the
> > gas.
> >
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> >
> > Neil Klaer wrote:
> > ?
> > ? I have a 1976 SWB Toyota Landcruiser with a dodgy handbrake, so need
to park
> > ? it in gear when on a slope to stop it going places. I was on a
particularly
> > ? steep slope and it could still slowly creep along, so engaged 4x4 low
range
> > ? to stop that (it works well). I also have a notice on my dash warning
not to
> > ? engage 4wd without having the front hubs locked as this might cause
damage.
> > ? I don't have limited slip diffs or any other fancy gear - is it true
that
> > ? engaging 4wd (or especially low range 4wd) without the front hubs
being
> > ? locked can cause some kind of damage as the notice says? My
understanding is
> > ? that the front drive train will be operating, but the front wheels
will
> > ? simply be disconnected and spin freely.
>
> I use 2-LO all the time in my '85 4Runner. I do have dual transfer
> cases, so have a true 2-LO. Yes, there is a slight concern with putting
> 2X the torque to just the rear drivesahft and axle, but unless you are
> dropping the clutch from redline, its likely not a serious issue.
>
> --
> Roger

I agree, the danger would be driveline breakage in a hard pull, I use it
myself as a creeper gear.