Engaging 4x4 on a 2nd gen manual transmission

Hi folks,
I have a 2009 manual transmission. I find the knob on the dashboard for H2, L4, and H4 to be way less intuitive than the shifter style that was on my 2002 Tacoma.
I'm not really sure what I should be doing with the vehicle when I shift from H2 to engaging all 4 tires. Should I be parked? Should I have the brake depressed? Should I have the clutched depressed?
I got my Tacoma into L4 during an icy snowstorm but then was unable to get the truck to disengage and go back into H2, even after trying a variety of combinations. The light above the knob flashed red and the vehicle made a beeping noise. Someone at a shop was able to get it out of L2 but they didn't tell me how they were able to do it.

Thanks in advance!

 

The manual transmission trucks can be picky.
To go to 4H you need to be going less than 60 mph.
All you need to is turn the switch to 4H.

To get to 4L, stop the truck, press the clutch pedal all the way in.
Like ALL THE WAY, until it stops. Then turn it to 4L.
Same for going back to 4H.

To get back into 2H, First go to 4H, then just turn the switch to 2H.

 

FJ T-Case solves all

 

When changing in and out of 4L I think you have to have the clutch down and be OUT of gear/in neutral.

mine also came with a little card explaining transfer case shifting. Look in the visor for it

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-system-operation-help-thread.742420/

 

To go to 4hi from 2hi, or from 4hi back to 2hi simply flip the switch as you drive. It may take a second or 2. It works best while the vehicle is in motion. If you're at a dead stop the gears in the transfer case may or may not be aligned to engage. If in motion, they will engage once everything lines up. BTW, that is also true with the older floor shift levers.

To go to low range, I find it best to break it down into 2 steps. Go to 4hi first. Once that is engaged come to a NEAR stop (under 3 mph). Move to neutral and press the clutch ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. Then move the switch to 4lo. Once again, the shift won't happen unless the gears in the transfer case are aligned correctly.

This is even more critical getting into low range and why it works best if slowly rolling. If you try to do it at a dead stop low range may not engage until you let the truck roll slightly in either direction. And once again this is also true in older trucks with shift levers on the floor. I can remember having to let out slightly on the clutch while in neutral to get the gears spinning to get things to engage.

Technically you should be able to shift directly from 2hi into 4lo, I just have fewer issues doing it in 2 steps.

Getting out of low range can be tricky. After long periods of low range use the gears in the drivetrain get bound up tight and don't want to let go. It helps to put the truck in reverse and back up 15'-20", pull forward and try again. Repeat until it shifts out of low range into 4 hi. Once in 4hi drive away normally and then shift on the fly back to 2wd when you no longer need 4x4.

 

thank you - I think that's the ticket. gear in neutral and clutch depressed.
As the 3rd owner, I don't think I have the original owners manual at this point.
appreciate you chiming in - very helpful!

 

This is good information - thanks for that as I may need it for the first time tomorrow. Go figure - no appreciable snow this winter until now. Looks like 4L should be avoided if possible.