4WD with 529 in rear 411 in front?

[rustyota]

I just recently put my rear axle back on my 85 yota PU with a locker and 529 gear after 6 months of work. this is a project truck, so it will be a couple of months before I can put a locker and 529 in the front. What would happen if I ran in 4WD with the stock 411 gear still in the front axle? if the outcome is bad, should I not even lock the hubs either? Do I have to wait on any offroading until I have the same 529 gear in both?
Aaron

[Rocksurfer]

I just recently put my rear axle back on my 85 yota PU with a locker and 529 gear after 6 months of work. this is a project truck, so it will be a couple of months before I can put a locker and 529 in the front. What would happen if I ran in 4WD with the stock 411 gear still in the front axle? if the outcome is bad, should I not even lock the hubs either? Do I have to wait on any offroading until I have the same 529 gear in both?
Aaron

If you put it in 4wd you'll soon think that you are in the middle of a terrorist attack from all the shrapnell that will be flying around you.   Do this simple test to demonstrate what will happen if you try to drive it in 4wd, with your truck on flat level ground with the engine off, your hubs locked, transfer case in 4wd low, and transmission in neutral, gently push your truck forward. You will immediatly feel the bind that will occur if you try to acually drive it, then maybe you'll understand what would happen if you try to run it in 4wd.

[rustyota]

 yeah, I know it's total destruction and meltdown on rocks and pavement, I'm not that stupid! I am talking like mud, or other gooey surfaces, in case I am in a bind. I guess make sure it doesn't have a hard bottom, right?

[Rocksurfer]

yeah, I know it's total destruction and meltdown on rocks and pavement, I'm not that stupid! I am talking like mud, or other gooey surfaces, in case I am in a bind. I guess make sure it doesn't have a hard bottom, right?

All it takes is a split second of traction to both axles and your truck will its guts out, just don't do it. You'll be  in no time.

[derek]

go ahead and try.
let us know the results.
i just want to know what will let go first.
t-case?, ring and pinion?, maybe just a u-joint?

derek

[WHITE_TRASH]

If you are in mud or other NO traction surface you can get away with using 4x.  The front will spin much caster obviously but it actually works for you in the deep mud as it helps you stay on top of the mud and it adds to your steering as well.  Trust me, Ive done it.  In order to get it back out of 4x you'll have to have the tires spinning and put the shifter back in 2 before you hit dry land.  If you dont there will be so much bind in the drivetrain you'll have to unlock your hubs and then shift the t-case out.

[KYOTA]

go ahead and try.
let us know the results.
i just want to know what will let go first.
t-case?, ring and pinion?, maybe just a u-joint?

derek

yeah and make sure you take lots of pics

[WileEToyote]

I managed to do this mostly successfully with 4.10s and 4.88s once.  Never again.  This was also on a wet-snow covered uphill where traction was indeed next to nil, so I gambled.  The traction improved over the crest of the hill to decent fire road quality, and even with the closer mis-match of .1 to .88 the noise was ungodly once I did get it out of 4wd (still had ADD drive flanges so no unlocking the hubs first).  Shifting on the fly is a thing of the past unless I'm under 30mph, and even then - it sure don't like it.

[Hyena]

You can put it in 4wd but don't lock the hubs.