Ridiculous (and slightly embarrassing) question

[Joann]

Hi everyone!

I am the proud owner of a 1999 Land Cruiser (owned since 2000). I live in the South (no snow) and have taken it off road only once. As such I have rarely had a need to engage the 4WD. I'm taking a road trip up to the mountains this weekend and I may have cause to use my 4WD! However, I cannot remember how to engage it . Can someone please remind me how to engage the 4WD on 1999 automatic?

Thanks so much!

 

[StarCruiser]

Hi Joann,

Not a silly question at all. But we need a little more info first. What model Cruiser is it? Better still, post up a photo of it (we like pics here ) and perhaps a photo of the inside around the dash and centre console gear selector area (this one not essential but helps us know what your truck has as there are many variations).

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Best wishes
Rich

 

[clivehorridge]

Hi Joann, I’m guessing here without more details, but I assume your cruiser to be a 100 Series and AFAIK, they are permanent 4WD or all time 4WD, so you won’t have to select anything.

However, there is a selectable “Low” set of gears, and that is usually a short stubby looking gear lever close to the auto shift stick, which you pull backwards to select the Low range, useful for very steep hills or very slow driving for long periods.

Enjoy the mountains and we’d like to see photos of where you go, because were very nosey...

 

[Joann]

I don't even know what those numbers mean! How do I find the specific model? I have a lot to learn

Here are pics of my girl:

 

[Dan_the_drifter]

Ye your truck is 4wd all the time, if you put it in low so move the right hand lever all the way back it might also engage the centre diff lock depending on model which should be all you require if you get caught in snow etc.

Unless doing some serious off roading with decent tyres they will go most places with just the normal 4wd from what I have seen on overland video's etc.

Good luck!

 

[SteveJB]

What you have there is a 100 it is full time 4wd and if you need to put it into low range then put the auto box into N then move the short lever marked H N L to select L also on the dash you have a rear diff lock and a centre transfer lock warning lights on the dash if working will let you know and depending on previous owners and use the rear may not work so give them a try now before you need them good luck with your trip

 

[StarCruiser]

I don't even know what those numbers mean! How do I find the specific model? I have a lot to learn

Here are pics of my girl:
View attachment 151100 View attachment 151101

Ok, nice truck! Looks like a 100 series from the pictures and yes, it’s permanent 4 wheel drive. The little gear shifter that has HN and L on mean High range gears (for normal driving) Neutral which won’t get used really and Low for low range gears which give lower speed but far more torque (low speed power) for tougher off road situations. There should be a button on the dash which looks like a ‘stick man’ version of your truck. This may have CDL on it or such. This is for Centre Diff Lock and will bring up a light on your dash that looks similar (stick man truck). This function is also engaged if you put the small shifter into L. Always come to a stop and put the truck in either Neutral or Park before shifting the short gear shifter. Also make certain this shifter is fully engaged either way which may be easier to do in Neutral on the main shifter. Don’t use CDL or Low range on paved surfaces (unless trying out in a straight line) or anything that isn’t a loose or slippery surface. If you do and you turn your steering you can feel the truck start to slow like putting brakes on. If you notice this then stop, put the main shifter into Neutral and take the truck out of L into H or release the CDL switch. Prolonged use with CDL or L engaged on grippy surfaces is not good and can cause damage.

As said, for most stuff, you won’t need to do anything as the truck will just cope. There’s lots more that can be done to further increase traction off road but you shouldn’t need it.
This will depend on how Toyota configured your truck.

One thing to look for, just for your information, is a little sticker that says LSD on the differential housing (bulge in the back axle). That means you have grip to one back wheel if the other back wheel looses traction.

Hope this helps and don’t forget to take lots of pics when you go off road and post up a thread about your trip as we would love to see where you went and what you did.

Enjoy it, you own one of the very best 4x4s there is.

 

[Joann]

You guys are awesome, thank you! No wonder I was mystified as to how to engage the 4WD - it's always on! I doubt I will need the low, but at least now I know how to engage it if I do and how to check for LSD.

I will be sure to take photos and share with you.

I'm happy to have found this group after only 18 years of Land Cruiser ownership

 

[frank rabbets]

This is not a normal car forum but full of nutters who know their stuff. I only remember one question that nobody could answer since the forum was created.

 

[Joann]

This is not a normal car forum but full of nutters who know their stuff. I only remember one question that nobody could answer since the forum was created.

Well now, that sounds like a challenge!

I have another more obscure question that I just thought of. It sometimes takes several attempts for me to get my Land Cruiser to crank. I *think* it may be because the cold cranking amps on my battery are too low. I cannot however find any info on what the minimum cold cranking amps are for a Land Cruiser. Any ideas?

 

[moggy1968]

With reference to you first question, do you know how a full time 4wd system works, do you understand you only need 1 wheel spinning to get stuck, 2 (1front 1 rear)if you have the centre diff locked?
If not say so and I’ll explain it.

 

[StarCruiser]

Well now, that sounds like a challenge!

I have another more obscure question that I just thought of. It sometimes takes several attempts for me to get my Land Cruiser to crank. I *think* it may be because the cold cranking amps on my battery are too low. I cannot however find any info on what the minimum cold cranking amps are for a Land Cruiser. Any ideas?

There’s a couple of possibilities here depending on what sounds you get when you turn the key.
1, a rattling sound, or
2, a clonk then silence?

1, means not enough charge in the battery
2, means your starter motor may need a small fix.

 

[Higgy]

This is not a normal car forum but full of nutters who know their stuff. I only remember one question that nobody could answer since the forum was created.

What was the Question Frank... Was it even Land cruiser related?

 

[frank rabbets]

That buzzing noise an 80 owner videoed in Australia. I hope he discovers and lets us know. Still losing sleep over that one.

 

[moggy1968]

There’s a couple of possibilities here depending on what sounds you get when you turn the key.
1, a rattling sound, or
2, a clonk then silence?

1, means not enough charge in the battery
2, means your starter motor may need a small fix.

You’ll get a clonk with a low battery as well if it’s too low to spin the starter.

 

[StarCruiser]

You’ll get a clonk with a low battery as well if it’s too low to spin the starter.

I usually find it’s multiple clonks, like a machine gun. The 80 May be different of course.

 

[GeekOKent]

you are likely running a Gas engine and a 24F family battery in the US; what does it say on the battery now ? I suspect you've changed it in your ownership since 1999.

 

[moggy1968]

I usually find it’s multiple clonks, like a machine gun. The 80 May be different of course.

Depends how much juice you’ve got, I’ve had the ‘starter death rattle’ but also just a loud single click