Clunck Sound (Shifting out of 4WL)

[climber1872000]

Hi All - I have been using 4WH lately as we have had a lot of snow over the past 3 weeks. Over noticed lately that every time I
I park, put the truck in neutral, and shift the truck back to 2WD it makes a loud thud sound that can be felt. I've noticed this is my 2018 but only when I was not fully stopped. Has anyone else experienced this?

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[TacoFreak]

Yeah - that is not unusual.

If there is any front axle binding from when it was in 4WD it will clunk as it disengages the transfer case. Sometimes it helps to drive a short distance with the wheels straight before stopping and moving out of 4WD. Being stopped can help too, but not always.

 

[MT-Taco]

It’s normal, but can be done clunk free. Drive straight, briefly let off the gas at the same time as switching into or out of 4H for clunk free operation. 4L try to keep the wheels straight.

 

[Dirt]

Agree it's normal. MT-Taco has the solution pegged IMO.

 

[Sandeep1994]

4th gen tacoma have CAD front centre axle disconnect in 2wd . Thats the reason we hear noice when engaging 4h . In normal 2wd front driveshaft and front diff is stationary .

 

[izzy]

It’s normal, but can be done clunk free. Drive straight, briefly let off the gas at the same time as switching into or out of 4H for clunk free operation. 4L try to keep the wheels straight.

This 100% works.

If you're shifting in S mode offroad (or on) briefly letting off the gas when you bump the shifter up or down will result in a very smooth shift. Not surprising though.

 

[MT-Taco]

Had a 2013 Tundra, shifting into 4H and 4L was the same. Transmission acted pretty similar as well, often harder shifts when it was cold but smooth as butter at operating temps. I just start out slow and easy until it gets up to higher temps to avoid the harder cold shifts.

 

[TacoFreak]

All of my Toyota 4x4 trucks have done this and it never seemed to hurt anything. In my Tundra you could follow all of @izzy's excellent advice, and sometimes it would still do that. But I drove my last Tundra for 14 years without a single issue, so I would not worry about the occasional clunk.

 

[izzy]

Also important to not forget that body on frame trucks have more NVH than unibody vehicles. You're relying on a few rubber cab mount bushings to make any engagement, shifting, and movement of the drivetrain more subtle. You've got an entire frame to resonate when stuff is clunky.

I personally don't mind the addition NVH that comes from driving a truck. If the 4G was any quieter inside you wouldn't even know it was running lol

 

[TacoFreak]

I personally don't mind the addition NVH that comes from driving a truck. If the 4G was any quieter inside you wouldn't even know it was running lol

Truth!

I like to drive body on frame trucks because they are more honest and direct, and also better in serious off road use. I think a lot of 4th gen buyers are new to real trucks and complain about the things that make many of us love them. There is also an adjustment to make if you are coming from cars or CUVs.

My truck is smooth, quiet and comfortable beyond belief and I hope they never neuter Tacos to make them appeal to car buyers.

 

[Taco Ji]

Good to know. Is this only specific to Toyota 4x4 trucks or all 4x4 trucks?

 

[MT-Taco]

My 2500 GMC shifted smoother. But went through 2 transfer cases in 110K miles.

 

[izzy]

if you are coming from cars

To be honest coming from sporty, stiff cars, trucks are not uncomfortable at all. And in a way they feel pretty familiar to a car on some tight coils Not in a bad way, in my opinion. Like a tall, stiff car that will roll when pushed.

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