I’ve heard they have head gasket issues though and the transmissions often go in the first GEN automatic. How was yours? Apparently it’s just an ECU module that needs to be repaired and may be a solenoid. I heard the head gasket is in nightmare though so much just replace the motor.
Today I am installing my tema 4x4 lift kit for the rear only. I'm not going to do the front just quite yet. But first I'm going to disconnect the front sway bar and test again. And then I will install the spring spacers in the rear to see what the difference is in performance.
@@gurpreetsoomal5408 you are correct, yes. But the fluid was original from the factory which was 18 years old at the time and it begun to gum up and turn into dirt like little grease balls and because of that overtime it chewed up the gearing
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 I love torsen LSDs for sports cars where both wheels are touching the ground pretty much always but for an off road application they tend to fail pretty hard. Issue is that as soon as one wheel is not touching, its still going to put all the torque to the wheel off the ground. For this reason a clutch type or maybe an on demand electrical locker are more popular for this application.
Im actually looking to buy one . Am i correct in my understanding, the rav4 is always in AWD and has the capability to Lock the diff in a manual transmission?
I’ve heard these head gaskets go often and is a nightmare to repair. Is that true? Also, I’ve heard the transmissions in an automatic and problematic but it’s typically just the ECU module. Thoughts?
The automatic models have a fluid coupling automatic diff lock , meaning when the fuild heats up from the transmission reving it automatically lock sending 25% power to each wheel ,creating full time 4wd , these are basically baby landcruisers , awesome little machines
The rav4 is crazy customizable. No site talks about it. But you can choose to have that build. You can have abs, ac or no ac, speaker systems, remote start and several others. It’s really dependent on how much they payed into it
Maybe because I'm not going downhill.. and am going up hill in 30 degree whether with new geolander a/t tires and 2,000lbs on the back.. and 1 feet of snow with lots of compacted ice underneath.
The previous owners ripped out the speaker that would alarm you when it's not fully engaged. So I turn left and right and most of the time will go into reverse and to make sure it's fully engaged. I've been meaning to install a speaker That way I'll know when it's not fully engaged, haha.
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 Thanks for the reply, I didn't realize it had an alarm. Do you know the mechanics of why doing that wiggle engages the gears properly, or was it trial and error?
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 hi man thanks for the video i have a 1999 and here's what the owners manual says about it: "to lock the center differential: 1. Press the brake pedal and stop the wheel spinning. 2. Put the front wheels in as straight ahead position as possible. 3. Push the center differential lock switch and check that the indicator light in the instrument panel comes on." To unlock the center differential: 1. Put the front wheels in as straight-ahead a position as possible 2. Push the center differential lock switch once again and check that the indicator light in the instrument cluster goes out and the indicator buzzer stops sounding. The indicator buzzer will sound while the center differential is being unlocked. It stops sounding when unlocking in completed. Sometimes complete unlocking of the center differential may take longer. Note: while the indicator buzzer is sounding do not make turns and do not put the vehicle into a garage. This may damage the locking mechanism and the drive system."
@@NickAlexander_is_Awesome yup, that's what mine says as well. But, I don't have the buzzer. The previous owner ripped put the speaker haha. So that's why you see my wheels straight and then I turn fully left and right and if possible I'll go into reverse just to make sure it's unlocked. Eventually I will add a speaker in the future, haha.
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 how are the automatic transmissions? I want one but I’ve been hearing nightmares about the transmissions and the head gaskets. Now, if if the Transmission wants to go and all I needed was a new ECU module that super cheap. Do you know?
I think their might be model's that tells its an awd or 4wd model. But the easiest way is to look behind and see. I messed up and not look and so i bought a 2wd model. I'm not trying to go off road but where i live it snows alot and im hoping this 2wd rav4 can handle it. If not I'm selling this one and getting an awd model
@@DjAtmaWeapon let's just say... Keep the sway bar connected while 4x4ing... It makes a world of a difference because of having open diffs.. if the transmission/transaxle had a limited slip or locker inside. Then I would recommend disconnecting the sway bar. The sway bar actually forces ether side to put more pressure on the wheel with less grip. Discounting the sway bar will take that pressure off. Thus having a chance to have less grip on front wheel that needs it. The course was maybe 2ish x's more difficult. I will be installing my tema4x4 lift kit when I get home from work in 2 months. And I will give it another shot with and without sway bar connected. And then same again when my old man mu lift kit comes in!! Best of luck! And keep the rubber on the ground!
I drove a Toyota Rav4 for 320000 miles. It was the best car I ever had.
So true!
got 178000 out of mine, auto gearbox failed, great car,alone with my vitara best cars ever had,
jap power :)
What year?
what year?
I’ve heard they have head gasket issues though and the transmissions often go in the first GEN automatic. How was yours? Apparently it’s just an ECU module that needs to be repaired and may be a solenoid. I heard the head gasket is in nightmare though so much just replace the motor.
Bought this week one of 1995 I love it!!!
Today I am installing my tema 4x4 lift kit for the rear only. I'm not going to do the front just quite yet. But first I'm going to disconnect the front sway bar and test again. And then I will install the spring spacers in the rear to see what the difference is in performance.
Do you still have this RAV4? Have't see any more vids :(
@@miguemigue127 I do.. but the motor is worn out and needs rebuilt. She’s been down for 8 months now.. 🥺😭😭
Did it overheat from the head gasket going?
Best cars ever invented
Yokohama geolanders got them on my vitara! Excellent Tyres
I might go look at a 97 model this weekend.
Did u buy
Mine too. It’s like a different vehicle
I own exactly same car and model and even same tyres !
Wow you should really get a rear LSD, that would be awesome in this!
I do have a factory lsd in rear dif. But with 240,000 miles and lack of fresh fluids.. she's worn out and ready to be replaced.
@@welcome2myworld1.o89
Oh the rear is helical/torsen LSD then, which shouldn't be effected by old fluids. Teach me something if I am incorrect though!
@@gurpreetsoomal5408 you are correct, yes. But the fluid was original from the factory which was 18 years old at the time and it begun to gum up and turn into dirt like little grease balls and because of that overtime it chewed up the gearing
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 I love torsen LSDs for sports cars where both wheels are touching the ground pretty much always but for an off road application they tend to fail pretty hard. Issue is that as soon as one wheel is not touching, its still going to put all the torque to the wheel off the ground. For this reason a clutch type or maybe an on demand electrical locker are more popular for this application.
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 the previous owner never changed it. It would’ve lasted forever 😢
interessant merci
Nice video! What is your tyre size?
Im actually looking to buy one . Am i correct in my understanding, the rav4 is always in AWD and has the capability to Lock the diff in a manual transmission?
That's correct 👍
I’ve heard these head gaskets go often and is a nightmare to repair. Is that true? Also, I’ve heard the transmissions in an automatic and problematic but it’s typically just the ECU module. Thoughts?
Ha, that's a pretty cool little car.
Put on a rear limited slip from an L model , and you'll never have that problem
My rav4 is the L model and has the rear lsd and center vacuum operated diff lock...
you know if the automatic version of this car would pass the transmission lock test??
The automatic models have a fluid coupling automatic diff lock , meaning when the fuild heats up from the transmission reving it automatically lock sending 25% power to each wheel ,creating full time 4wd , these are basically baby landcruisers , awesome little machines
It come stock with a center diff lock? I have a gen2 rav4 manual and doesn't have one, or atleast that I'm aware of.
The rav4 is crazy customizable. No site talks about it. But you can choose to have that build. You can have abs, ac or no ac, speaker systems, remote start and several others. It’s really dependent on how much they payed into it
I owned a 97 5 speed. Don't understand why your spinning going downhill. I'm missing something.
Maybe because I'm not going downhill.. and am going up hill in 30 degree whether with new geolander a/t tires and 2,000lbs on the back.. and 1 feet of snow with lots of compacted ice underneath.
When you engage the diff lock, what reason is it for the left and right of the steering that you do?
The previous owners ripped out the speaker that would alarm you when it's not fully engaged. So I turn left and right and most of the time will go into reverse and to make sure it's fully engaged. I've been meaning to install a speaker That way I'll know when it's not fully engaged, haha.
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 Thanks for the reply, I didn't realize it had an alarm. Do you know the mechanics of why doing that wiggle engages the gears properly, or was it trial and error?
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 hi man thanks for the video i have a 1999 and here's what the owners manual says about it: "to lock the center differential:
1. Press the brake pedal and stop the wheel spinning.
2. Put the front wheels in as straight ahead position as possible.
3. Push the center differential lock switch and check that the indicator light in the instrument panel comes on."
To unlock the center differential:
1. Put the front wheels in as straight-ahead a position as possible
2. Push the center differential lock switch once again and check that the indicator light in the instrument cluster goes out and the indicator buzzer stops sounding.
The indicator buzzer will sound while the center differential is being unlocked. It stops sounding when unlocking in completed. Sometimes complete unlocking of the center differential may take longer.
Note: while the indicator buzzer is sounding do not make turns and do not put the vehicle into a garage. This may damage the locking mechanism and the drive system."
@@NickAlexander_is_Awesome yup, that's what mine says as well. But, I don't have the buzzer. The previous owner ripped put the speaker haha. So that's why you see my wheels straight and then I turn fully left and right and if possible I'll go into reverse just to make sure it's unlocked. Eventually I will add a speaker in the future, haha.
Bro i wonder what is your tyre size.
what trim is this? that's a different grill
The dif come standard on this ones?
I drive one
Same here, mine's a '98. Still running up and down Nairobi streets like a champ.
Is this a manual or automatic?
Manual transmission with vacuum operated center locking diff and factory rear LSD
What is 2nt?
It’s between foist and turd
You have no idea to drive it...
Drive 99 awd around new mexico. You need driving lessons
I think part of the deal here is testing what happens when there is limited traction. They are testing the equipment, not the driver.
Not strong enough for off road.
Yes it is!!
Have you not seen my other videos? And other people's?
@@welcome2myworld1.o89 how are the automatic transmissions? I want one but I’ve been hearing nightmares about the transmissions and the head gaskets. Now, if if the Transmission wants to go and all I needed was a new ECU module that super cheap. Do you know?
Is it automatic i dont mind though but how can you tell if its an awd model apart from looking for the driveshaft behind
I think their might be model's that tells its an awd or 4wd model. But the easiest way is to look behind and see. I messed up and not look and so i bought a 2wd model. I'm not trying to go off road but where i live it snows alot and im hoping this 2wd rav4 can handle it. If not I'm selling this one and getting an awd model
2:14 isnt the rear wheel spinning as well clearly its an awd
Enter your VIN here and it will give you all of the information about your vehicle, including drive type. vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/Decoder
@@woozhi9218what was the end result?
Do people run them without the sway bar connected?
I have no clue. But I now do! It makes a hell of a difference!
What do you mean by that? It is better with or without? I own a 99 Rav4 and I look to keep stock but best for off road.
@@DjAtmaWeapon let's just say... Keep the sway bar connected while 4x4ing... It makes a world of a difference because of having open diffs.. if the transmission/transaxle had a limited slip or locker inside. Then I would recommend disconnecting the sway bar. The sway bar actually forces ether side to put more pressure on the wheel with less grip. Discounting the sway bar will take that pressure off. Thus having a chance to have less grip on front wheel that needs it. The course was maybe 2ish x's more difficult. I will be installing my tema4x4 lift kit when I get home from work in 2 months. And I will give it another shot with and without sway bar connected. And then same again when my old man mu lift kit comes in!!
Best of luck! And keep the rubber on the ground!