I have a 1993 ford f150 4x4 with a 4.9 straight six. Whenever I put it in 4wd I notice it kind of hops or jerks when I start to turn. Is this normal?

 

Yes, especially with limited slip or locker differentials

 

Yes its normal, especially if you're on dry pavement. Shouldnt be in 4wd on dry pavement though, can cause things to bind & break.

 

Some light bouncing and jerking with the wheel almost fully turned is normal, and I do mean light.... my 94 4x4 F150, when I first got it, had a seized front axle U-Joint, and as soon as I start turning, would make these big clunking noises and bouncing and jerking....


Might wanna check your U-joints! Also, try avoiding turning the wheels fully on either side when in 4x4, weather on pavement or mud/snow.

 

The harder over you turn the wheel the more hop you are going to get when you have traction in 4x4 mode. The wheels are turning at the same speed, but the distance traveled by the inside wheel is less than the outside wheel in a turn, so one of the wheels is breaking traction to keep up with the other. Don't use 4x4 mode if you have good traction. Just shift out back to 2wd.

 

Normal, otherwise if you cant live with it, you can perform the 2k upgrade of RCV

 

Sounds familiar, my truck when I got it had two seized up front U-joints, and when I first drove it down the street, they wouldn't let me turn the wheel, and suddenly they decided to turn the wheel on their own, and shot me into oncoming traffic. Scary, but I have since taken care of it. Probably the reason my hubs were nothing but metal flakes inside, and had to be replaced as well.