When to use/not use 4x4? Overheating diffs, transfer cases etc.

[Blade1668]

Way to many shills on the Internet with the sky is falling.
Yeah the transmission will get hot, T-case and axles. Anyone driving their low geared 4:56 or lower axles down the road at 55 mph or more check the temperature of them after a 30 mile drive.... You can likely cook food on the pumpkins. Transmission fluid will likely be about the same temperature as the engine coolant "same radiator used" unless you have added a transmission cooler likewise the T-case it's bolted to transmission but are made of similar metal alloy aluminum and wicks heat (some) to the other. The concern of this is being over hyped I would think for most. Now, crawling along for hours in hot weather and no winds or much air flow maybe the T-case, transmission, P.S. engine. Things like this makes it's rounds every few years it seems. Overheating of T-case and axles is kinda a new one though. I've even seen P.S. systems do it even but not axles or T-case really.

But way to much of the "Shock Jock" sensation for clicks and advertisement $$$.
Edit unscrewing auto spell check of word(s).

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[JTdiRtyD]

I agree with everyone here, I just wanted to see if there was something I was missing with the whole claim. I do believe that most of the folks I've heard talk about it are in the Tacoma world, so maybe theres something about the Taco that has issues. I personally never had issues with my 3rd gen Taco while in Utah and 90 deg days in 4H.

 

[Janster]

I agree with everyone here, I just wanted to see if there was something I was missing with the whole claim. I do believe that most of the folks I've heard talk about it are in the Tacoma world, so maybe theres something about the Taco that has issues. I personally never had issues with my 3rd gen Taco while in Utah and 90 deg days in 4H.

These people probably have no clue what‘s considered ‘normal temp’ for a diff or trans. Someone probably crawled underneath and put their hands on the diff cover and thought it was too hot. The Tacomas never had any problems like that before.

Granted….. I grab the hubs on my boat trailer to check them. If I can leave my hand on it for any amount of time, it’s plenty cool (versus…OUCH! ….)

 

[Sweetums]

Ahh, the "It didn't put me in the hospital, it's fine" metric.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

These people probably have no clue what‘s considered ‘normal temp’ for a diff or trans. Someone probably crawled underneath and put their hands on the diff cover and thought it was too hot. The Tacomas never had any problems like that before.

Granted….. I grab the hubs on my boat trailer to check them. If I can leave my hand on it for any amount of time, it’s plenty cool (versus…OUCH! ….)

An infrared heat gun is a cool and fun tool to have. I have this $18 Amazon special and it works good.

https://a.co/d/bHkEFmP

 

[Janster]

An infrared heat gun is a cool and fun tool to have. I have this $18 Amazon special and it works good.

https://a.co/d/bHkEFmP

Already have one…..

I waited too long…. Probably 1 hour after the hubby got home when I thought to take a reading of the rear diff. It was only 90 degrees…..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

An infrared heat gun is a cool and fun tool to have. I have this $18 Amazon special and it works good.

https://a.co/d/bHkEFmP

I use one to see how accurate temp gauges and sending units are and so on. I've used it a lot on my cars, looking at over-heating issues and other fun stuff.
Also amazed me how HOT the heat sinks were on the top of my shop's LED lights.
You can check HVAC systems and a lot more.

 

[aveach]

4H when I hit the trail head. 4L when I hit the rocks.

Never had a problem.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

I also believe if you don’t need it don’t use it. As far as differential’s overheating, even towing near max I’ve never had that problem in any truck. Those who tow heavy quite frequently will use aftermarket covers, like the Banks will cooling fins and design scoop to direct cooling air. Just use the advised full synthetic gear oil the manufacturer says to use and don’t worry unless you’re running in water crossings!

 

[Sweetums]

Extend your breathers if you don't have a Rubicon and then don't worry about water crossings anyway.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Extend your breathers if you don't have a Rubicon and then don't worry about water crossings anyway.

Is that necessary with a Mojave since they are made specifically/only for the desert and you won't find many deep water crossings there?

 

[MikeNH]

These people probably have no clue what‘s considered ‘normal temp’ for a diff or trans. Someone probably crawled underneath and put their hands on the diff cover and thought it was too hot. The Tacomas never had any problems like that before.

Granted….. I grab the hubs on my boat trailer to check them. If I can leave my hand on it for any amount of time, it’s plenty cool (versus…OUCH! ….)

I’ve had 4x4s from a variety of brands and when I had my Taco my opinion was that nearly everyone on the forums thought themselves an engineer and amazingly basic stuff was way over-analyzed. The newest truck is having some teething issues but the past gens were quite solid.

 

[Sweetums]

Is that necessary with a Mojave since they are made specifically/only for the desert and you won't find many deep water crossings there?

I've spent most of my life in the high desert - and when it rains here it RAINS. The hard ground prevents runoff from seeping in and high water crossings are the outcome. There are also rivers in the desert. I'd just extend them anyway, breathers on the axle can get clogged with the fine desert dust, pressurizing the diff and blowing axle seals.

Ask me how I know.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I've spent most of my life in the high desert - and when it rains here it RAINS. The hard ground prevents runoff from seeping in and high water crossings are the outcome. There are also rivers in the desert. I'd just extend them anyway, breathers on the axle can get clogged with the fine desert dust, pressurizing the diff and blowing axle seals.

Ask me how I know.

Flash floods are more common in the desert than probably anywhere else. I had my brand new ram rebel up to the door handles crossing the river near Afton canyon on the mojave road when it had 1700 miles on it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've spent most of my life in the high desert - and when it rains here it RAINS. The hard ground prevents runoff from seeping in and high water crossings are the outcome. There are also rivers in the desert. I'd just extend them anyway, breathers on the axle can get clogged with the fine desert dust, pressurizing the diff and blowing axle seals.

Ask me how I know.

Yeah, I should have known better.
The fine dust is horrible here to certain times of year.

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