4x4 Basics: How to shift into 4-High and 4-Low

A video for the new first time 4x4 owner. We discuss how to shift into 4 wheel drive-high and 4 wheel drive low. We also briefly touch on when to use both! Like and subscribe for more!

[@karenotto8734]

Thanks for showing me how to shift my FJ Cruiser back into H2 without grinding gears! I didn’t know that I needed to put the vehicle in N to do this! You are a life saver!

[@overlandinganglers]

You are very welcome! It’ll defiantly save your transfer case!

[@john2wheels860]

Nice work man! You'll definitely be helping out some folks new to off-road driving.

[@jameskocks4734]

im about to pick up a 2018 trd off road premium. i had a modified wrx for the last 5 years and a V8 2005 4runner for the last 2 years. it was time. i look forward to watching your videos. subbed.

[@overlandinganglers]

Welcome to the 5th gen club! Honestly the best vehicle I’ve ever owned! Thanks for the sub!

[@MrSerge7]

Thank you for sharing with us 👍🏾

[@overlandinganglers]

You’re welcome! Let us k ow of there are any other questions we can answer!

[@lucasr5675]

Very clear and great examples. Thank you for posting it.

[@mandyyoung6262]

Thank you very much. This video gave me a lot help.

[@overlandinganglers]

Your welcome! If you have any questions we’d always be happy to help!

[@sebronhiob7664]

Thanks bro. Very helpful, now I am sure about all.

[@overlandinganglers]

Your welcome! Please consider liking and subscribing for more how to videos!

[@HotSizzleTV_]

Thank you for this, I am starting to get 4Runners and tacomas new to the suv world.

[@overlandinganglers]

You’re welcome! Check out our video on multi terrain select and exploring Oklahoma episode 6 touches briefly on crawl control. Let us know if you have any other questions we can help teach.

[@menglee6931]

Your video very clear thanks bro

[@overlandinganglers]

Your welcome! Any other questions let us know!

[@mohamedkamara4200]

Thank you so much sir I like your teaching

[@overlandinganglers]

Your very welcome!

[@junkarpinterongbisaya]

sending sopport sir,tnx

[@Treetopflyer777]

Great video. Btw what roof rack have you got?

[@overlandinganglers]

Thanks! I’m running the Ironman 4x4 6’ cage! ironman4x4america.com/steel-roof-rack-basket-6-length/

[@chuanzhao3810]

Thank you for sharing! Just got a 2022 trd orp when I put my hand on shift knob and I feel some vibration. Just wondering is it normal?

[@overlandinganglers]

Totally normal! The shifter is connected directly to the transfer case in the driveline so it’s going to vibrate a little.

[@InfinityFishing]

very nice explanation FJC FTW !

[@overlandinganglers]

Glad you liked it!

[@1malikalik]

The N or NEUTRAL should be engaged when the vehicle is being dragged (not carried by a flatbed tow truck) by say a tow strap or like a repo truck or an RV. Also, 2HI is the default which means its in RWD.

[@overlandinganglers]

You’ll have to refer to the owner manual for the neutral. Generally when you are flat towing (behind an RV) you place the transfer case in neutral and then place the transmission in park however, I’m most sure what Toyotas direction is. Your correct 2H is rear wheel drive

[@1malikalik]

@@overlandinganglers Thanks for your insight there brother. You need to put out more content as well. Love your channel. Cheers

[@overlandinganglers]

Thank you! We are working on a few things for some more consistent content. We have another install going out this weekend, a new series starting sometime next week, and another new series starting the week after!

[@ferlottes]

@Overlanding Anglers Eh sir, would you tell me how to avoid that grinding noise when shifting to 4L ? I can hear that metal to metal grinding everytime, even if I follow your exact technic.

[@overlandinganglers]

If your transmission is in neutral and your move your transfer case shift lever from 4H through neutral and into 4L you shouldn’t have any grinding. Do you feel where the grinding is coming from?

[@ferlottes]

@@overlandinganglers Thanks for your help : so Im in neutral position and I clearly feel the grinding coming from the lever : its shaking and grinding like GRRRRRZZZ

[@overlandinganglers]

Alright so those levers are very sensitive and if you don’t get it exactly in the right place it’ll grind.Try this, with your vehicle off shift into 4Low. Try that a few time to find the position and once you have the muscle memory try the process with it running. Let me know if that helps we will make sure this stops happening together!

[@ferlottes]

@@overlandinganglers First, let me thank you very much for your help : this trick with the engine turned off worked fine. Thanks again !

[@overlandinganglers]

Once you get the pattern with the engine off you should be able to get it done with it running

[@greenlantern1016]

Is it the same with trd off road 2020? Thank you sir!

[@overlandinganglers]

It is the same! Stay tuned and we’re going to shoot a video on ATRAC, Crawl Control, and multi terrain select!

[@mEtAlMaNiAc787]

is it ok to always keep it on 4 hi?

[@overlandinganglers]

Sorry for the delay! No! Keeping it in 4Hi on paved roads and while turning will damage your 4WD system

[@hotauce2420]

I have a 2019 trd premium and every time I shift from 4h to 4L makes a grinding noise. I’m doing this stationary engaging the break on neutral and still grinds. Same when I go from 4L to 4h, it grinds. Any advice?

[@overlandinganglers]

When shifting the transfer case make sure you don’t stop in neutral. Shift quickly from 4H directly into 4L. Sometime it helps to practice the shift pattern with the vehicle off.

[@JonahNAloha]

@@overlandinganglersdoes the truck need to be moving while shifting from 2h into 4h? Mines sounds like it’s grinding only when I proceed to move forward or backwards. Can you tell me what’s wrong? It’s a brand new truck only 3yrs old. Lmk thanks and mahalos🤙🏽

[@donw5180]

@@JonahNAloha it should grind going from 2H to 4H. As long as your under the maximum shift speed you should be fine. If it is grinding check with a mechanic to make sure everything is good

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

My 2020 4Runner does not grind, but my 2021 does 🤔.

[@qudimat]

Stupid question - but is the transfer lever then in H2 or in N by default?

[@overlandinganglers]

No question is stupid! H2 is where is should be in normal weather and normal operation.

[@qudimat]

Thank you, so is there a light indicator for H2? Guess I’m wondering: 1) if I should be making sure the lever is on H2 if I’m just driving through the city, and 2) what the purpose of “N” is on the lever if N is already covered by the regular (auto) shifter?

[@overlandinganglers]

There is no indicator for H2. As long as you leave in it H2 it won’t come out until you shift it. Neutral in the transfer case overrides the transmission. It’s a buffer between 4H and 4L

[@qudimat]

@@overlandinganglers Awesome. Had a little trouble shifting into 4L on my ride while stopped and in (transmission) neutral - but from video looks like my motion was off. Will try again. Thanks for the useful video and rapid answers!

[@StreetsOfSamoa]

Does i do the same transition in Manual Gear?

[@overlandinganglers]

With a manual it gets a little more tricky. You can still be moving but you need to depress your clutch the shift into 4WD high, to shift into 4WD low stop and shift into neutral before going from 4WD high to 4WD low. Hope this helps let me know if you have any other questions!

[@sebronhiob7664]

@@overlandinganglers thanks alot. I got it very clear

[@JP-gt8qr]

Just bought 2022 off road.. and wondering if it’s ok for me to drive over 70mph when I’m on H4? Thanks in advance.

[@overlandinganglers]

Theoretically yes as long as the conditions were appropriate for 4H however, with conditions appropriate for 4H you won’t be going that fast for safety reasons

[@kennedymukabi4362]

Hi you can sheft to four wheeler while your in two wheeler!!? While you can remove two wheeler then you put four wheeler. Am From kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@overlandinganglers]

You can shift from 2 high to 4 high while Moving and back again. But you can not shift into 4 low while moving

[@brett9382]

What's neutral on the transfer case for?

[@overlandinganglers]

Neutral in the transfer case overrides the transmission. If your transmission is in drive and your transfer case is in neutral you won’t go anywhere.

[@herberthestrada9975]

Hola .tengo una 2021 4runer TRD OFF ROAD PRIMIUN. Mi pregunta es si estoy manejando en h2 y encuentro nieve y quiero usar la h4. Tengo que parar y poner en neutro la 4runer. O solo tengo que frenar y puchar la palanca a h4

[@overlandinganglers]

¡Hola! gracias por la pregunta! al cambiar de 2H a 4H, no es necesario que se detenga ni esté en punto muerto. Tienes que estar en marcha y en movimiento. ¡todo lo que tienes que hacer es mover la palanca de 2H a 4H! Sin embargo, no puede viajar a más de 50 mph, así que cuando cambie, mantenga la velocidad baja. espero que esto ayude!

[@herberthestrada9975]

@@overlandinganglers ok gracias y puedo usarlo en periodos largos de manejo la h4 siempre y cuando no pase de 45 a 50 millas

[@overlandinganglers]

absolutamente! después de haber cambiado a 4H, puede exceder las 55 mph, pero solo desea usarlo en condiciones que permitan el deslizamiento de las ruedas. No utilice 4hi en condiciones secas porque dañará su caja de transferencia y el diferencial delantero.

[@herberthestrada9975]

@@overlandinganglers gracias

[@Fakken28]

You have unlocked a new fear. What if the previous owner didn't know the proper way to shift into or proper use of each gear of the FJ I'm looking to pick up 😬😰 are there sure ways of telling theres something wrong? I've never owned a 4x4

[@overlandinganglers]

There are a few ways, reach out to us at [e-mail] we can give you some pointers!

[@Fakken28]

@@overlandinganglers thank you! I will shoot and email now