Well that was fun.

[STx]

Since my tractor is down for repairs and waiting on parts, I decided to take the truck across the creek to fill the back feeder yesterday. I've done it before and it's a little tight but with 4x4, it's easily doable. As I drop into the creek crossing, I switch to 4x4 like normal but, it doesn't come on. I'm committed at this point, there really isn't a way to back out of it, so I just go for it. I get part way up the other side and the back left tire hits some soft stuff drops just enough for the right rear to not have any traction. I'm able to back up some, trying to get repositioned and I end up like the first picture.

OK, so the tractor is broken down, my wife is back in Houston and my 4x4 is out, now I've got problems. There's a procedure to force the transfer case into 4 Low so I go ahead and give that a try, no good. I'm left with only one option now (well I could call a wrecker I guess but, that just seems like giving up). Time to break out the 4x4 and ratchet straps. Worked like a charm.

From now on, I'm keeping a piece of 4x4 in the truck at all times. I always have ratchet straps in it anyway and this little trick could have saved my butt from a LOT of work numerous times in the past. It saved me twice today.

I wish I could take credit for the idea being original but, I stole it from this YouTube video I saw about a year ago. Figured if it worked for him, it would definitely work for me.

Swedish tractor extraction method - YouTube

 

[EddieWalker]

I saw the same video, but never tried it myself. Glad it worked for you.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Cool idea! I'm wondering why the 4x4 wouldn't come on though, just when you need it? Is that common?

Glad you got out without the wrecker or outside help.

 

[STx]

It's something electrical, I haven't really dug into it yet. The truck is 14 years old and has 283,000 miles on it. I've had some issues in the past with the 4WD, about every 3 or 4 years something in it breaks. Mostly it's reliable but with a truck this old, nothing is 100% anymore.

I'm not giving up my 7.3 though, so I deal with the issues as they come up.

 

[ovrszd]

Does it have auto engage hubs that you can also spin in by hand??

 

[STx]

Yes but, that's not where my issue is. The vacuum system for the hubs is working fine, the transfer case motor won't engage. You can force it to 4 Low by shorting pin 11 of the 22 pin connector on the 4WD control module to ground but, that didn't work either. So, I've either got a bad motor (it was replaced a few years ago so I don't think it's bad), bad relay (they're original so that would be the most likely cause) or a wiring problem (I really, REALLY hope this isn't it). I've already checked all the fuses and they're fine.

I know the system on this truck pretty well, I just don't like troubleshooting it so I have to get in the right frame of mind before I tackle it.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep. I understand the frustration. Normal failure is hubs, with 4x4 light on.

My truck is '00 model with 220K miles.

I'll jinx myself, never have had a problem other than hubs. And I never go into a 4x4 spot without first making sure it's engaged. I don't trust the system, although it hasn't let me down. I manually spin my hubs in any time I'm using 4x4.

If Greg finds this thread he might shed some light. Very knowledgeable about these trucks.

 

[STx]

I've replaced all the vacuum lines in the truck and the solenoid for the hubs about 3 years ago. They were breaking here and there and I got tired of chasing them down only to have another leak show up somewhere else a few months later.

A hub failure would've been preferred, then I could have just manually locked them and rolled on.

 

[dickfoster]

I'll log that one away for some day when I may need it. Off roaders are always doing stuff like this.
You can also wrap a strap around a tire as a substitute for a winch if you don't have one and there is an anchor handy. For open diffs sometimes light pressure on the brake pedal can sometimes get you out of a pinch, I have selectable lockers front and rear. Also don't forget to air down.

 

[dickfoster]

Yes but, that's not where my issue is. The vacuum system for the hubs is working fine, the transfer case motor won't engage. You can force it to 4 Low by shorting pin 11 of the 22 pin connector on the 4WD control module to ground but, that didn't work either. So, I've either got a bad motor (it was replaced a few years ago so I don't think it's bad), bad relay (they're original so that would be the most likely cause) or a wiring problem (I really, REALLY hope this isn't it). I've already checked all the fuses and they're fine.

I know the system on this truck pretty well, I just don't like troubleshooting it so I have to get in the right frame of mind before I tackle it.

I hate when they complicate stuff that doesn't need to be complicated. Just more stuff to fail. What's wrong with a standard shifter fer pity sake. All these lectric motors, push buttons n blinkin lights just got no place in anything utility oriented. Soccer moms aren't a decent market for 4X4s anyway.

 

[STx]

I hate when they complicate stuff that doesn't need to be complicated. Just more stuff to fail. What's wrong with a standard shifter fer pity sake. All these lectric motors, push buttons n blinkin lights just got no place in anything utility oriented. Soccer moms aren't a decent market for 4X4s anyway.

Honestly, I love my electronic shift on the fly 4x4 when it's working. No getting out in the mud or cold to lock the hubs in and no lever sticking up from the floor.

When it isn't working, though...

 

[dickfoster]

Honestly, I love my electronic shift on the fly 4x4 when it's working. No getting out in the mud or cold to lock the hubs in and no lever sticking up from the floor.

When it isn't working, though...

I lock my hubs before venturing forth in 4X4 conditions then engage 4WD when needed with a shifter from the warm comfort of my cab. I've even added extra shifters by converting to twin stick, one for high/low range and one for 2WD/4WD. That's in addition to the shifter for the crawl box so I have four of em all told along with two switches to lockup either axle when needed. I don't like being stuck. Oh yeah for when the wheels just won't work, a winch comes in mighty handy.

 

[ovrszd]

I lock my hubs before venturing forth in 4X4 conditions then engage 4WD when needed with a shifter from the warm comfort of my cab. I've even added extra shifters by converting to twin stick, one for high/low range and one for 2WD/4WD. That's in addition to the shifter for the crawl box so I have four of em all told along with two switches to lockup either axle when needed. I don't like being stuck. Oh yeah for when the wheels just won't work, a winch comes in mighty handy.

View attachment 467146

Hey, a Mall Cruiser!!!

 

[dickfoster]

Hey, a Mall Cruiser!!!

Yeah it takes those annoying curb stones in it's stride. It does a pretty good job on those pesky Prius and so called Smart Cars too. Go ahead open your door into the side of my truck, I don't care, just knock yourself out.

 

[ovrszd]

I hear ya.

My wheelin rigs are never parked in a lot with pavement, let alone designated parking spots.

 

[Snobdds]

If I could give you a like I would. Toyota's are my guilty pleasure. Does Scuba or the opera singer still hang out on TTORA?

The other day I took my Toyota to work since we were having a freak blizzard. I left the house and it was snowing but the snow was not sticking to the ground. In less than 15 minutes the temperature dropped and snow was accumulating fast. There is a hill here with a JR high at the top and parents unloading kids causing traffic to back up. I didn't have my hubs lock in and having big luggy muds on, I couldn't get going again. The parking break was useless and I need to get out and lock the hubs while on a hill. So I took my briefcase shoved it under the front tire super quick, locked both hubs and hopped back in. This day I wish I had my other truck with the autolocking hubs.

 

[dickfoster]

When the snow flies I lock my hubs. I'm not driving fast anyway, I may be crazy but I'm not stupid ya know.

Yeah Chris, the opera singer is still around but not on the boards much. TTORA is almost dead now anyway. Chis landed a full time slot at the opera so doesn't get out as much as he used to. The rest of NorCal went to gettin married and havin kids and faded away too. I guess you might say they grew up and got too old for me to play with anymore. LOL Mike, Dean, Snowchucker and the rest of em started breeding instead of wheeling. I guess breeding must be more fun. And just when I moved to real wheeling country too. Fordyce is a day trip for me now but I still gotta find someone to wheel with to make it. Although the creek will likely be running high and fast this summer. This
instead of this

 

[Snobdds]

Yea, last time I was on it, it seemed pretty dead. It's too bad, some of the best threads ever in the history of the internet was on good old TTORA.

If you were closer, I'd wheel with ya.

 

[ovrszd]

How did you get that first rig out?? Do you still have that rig?? Can't tell for sure what it is??

 

[dickfoster]

How did you get that first rig out?? Do you still have that rig?? Can't tell for sure what it is??

Are you talking about the truck across the creek that I had to go get and drag back across? That's the difference between snorkel and no snorkel. I just hooked him up and dragged him back over. Lucky for him he shut it down before he hydrolocked the engine. We yanked the plugs, pumped the water out and he was good to go although I did have to loan him a dry air filter. On the same run, I had to drag another one that rolled his two and half times, all the way back to camp in the dark. He tried to follow my line with an IFS rig running a nose bleed lift and big tires. All tall and tippy like and suitable for the mall running only. After I rolled it back off of it's noggin, we had to use a farm jack to jack the roof up enough so he could get in it to steer. His truck was done for. Next morning, we dragged it back to the road, put it on a flatbed and we never heard from him again. At least he didn't die, only a small pine tree kept him from rolling right off the edge of a cliff. I don't think there were any buttons left on his seat covers. The Sierra is rugged country when you get up high.

Yeah I still have it and drive it. It's a 95 Toyota Tacoma that I've modified a lot. When I go to town people around here try to buy it but I'm not selling.