What do the H2, H4, and L4 positions mean on the Toyota transfer case?

H2 is high range 2-wheel drive for on-the-road driving; H4 is high range 4-wheel drive for off-road, sandy, snowy or slippery roads; L4 is low range 4-wheel drive for maximum traction, which automatically changes into 4-wheel drive.

How do I engage H4 (4-wheel drive high) on this Toyota?

Operate the H4 switch (PUSH(ON)) while at low speed and driving straight.

What should I do if my vehicle has an automatic transmission before shifting the transfer lever?

Operate the transfer lever with the transmission in the 'P' or 'N' range.

What about vehicles with free-wheeling hubs?

Perform the shifting operation with the hubs in the 'LOCK' condition.

What are the transfer lever positions shown on the label?

The lever positions are H2, N (neutral), and L4; the switch has H4 PUSH(ON) and OFF positions.

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Toyota Land Cruiser Transfer Gear Shifting Instructions Decal - H2/H4/L4 4WD

Transfer gear shifting instructions decal showing H2 N L4 switch and lever positions

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In-vehicle decal with transfer gear shifting instructions and switch/lever positions for two- and four-wheel drive operation.

AI caption August 2017 · Photo 17 of 35

This is a photograph of the factory 'Transfer Gear Shifting Instructions' decal mounted on the interior (dash/console area) of a Toyota 4WD vehicle, uploaded as belonging to a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser. The gold-and-black label explains how to operate the part-time four-wheel-drive system, which uses a push-button H4 switch (PUSH(ON)/OFF) combined with a floor transfer lever with positions H2, N, and L4. It defines the drive modes: H2 (high range, 2-wheel drive) for normal on-road driving; H4 (high range, 4-wheel drive) for off-road, sandy, snowy, or slippery roads, with instructions to operate the H4 switch at low speed while driving straight; and L4 (low range, 4-wheel drive) for maximum traction, which automatically engages 4-wheel drive. Two notes state that vehicles with automatic transmissions should have the transfer lever operated with the transmission in 'P' or 'N', and that vehicles equipped with free-wheeling hubs must have the hubs in the 'LOCK' position before engaging four-wheel drive. A reader learns the correct procedure for shifting between 2WD, 4WD high, and 4WD low ranges on this vehicle.

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Frequently asked questions

What do the H2, H4, and L4 positions mean on the Toyota transfer case?: H2 is high range 2-wheel drive for on-the-road driving; H4 is high range 4-wheel drive for off-road, sandy, snowy or slippery roads; L4 is low range 4-wheel drive for maximum traction, which automatically changes into 4-wheel drive.
How do I engage H4 (4-wheel drive high) on this Toyota?: Operate the H4 switch (PUSH(ON)) while at low speed and driving straight.
What should I do if my vehicle has an automatic transmission before shifting the transfer lever?: Operate the transfer lever with the transmission in the 'P' or 'N' range.
What about vehicles with free-wheeling hubs?: Perform the shifting operation with the hubs in the 'LOCK' condition.
What are the transfer lever positions shown on the label?: The lever positions are H2, N (neutral), and L4; the switch has H4 PUSH(ON) and OFF positions.