Whirring noise in low range

[Ben05 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ben05]

Hi guys, I am looking to buy a 120 series Prado, I test drove an 03 today and when I put it in low range I was in neutral and stopped but still clunked a little. Also when I drove forwards in low range it was a quite loud whine, is that normal? . I was on a tar road but it was very wet and only in a straight line to make sure it went into low range if that makes a difference

Thanks for your help Ben

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Not sure about the whine, loud is a relative terms I guess but the trans is certainly spinning a lot faster in low range for the same high range vehicle speed.

Mine clunks a little when shifting into low range also but doesn't seem to be an issue.

[Guest Close Guest]

Suggest you test drive a few more Prados. There is certainly a bit of extra noise when in low range but it might just be normal noise to us but you are not used to it. If the other Prados exhibit the same noise, then high chance that it is normal.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

If the car hasn't been in low range for some time (or ever) there's sometimes a crunch too.

I get a slight clunk into low range as well. As AMTS says, it is a bit noisier but I've never noticed a loud whine