How fast can you go in 4wd?
 

I'm new to a real truck's 4wd and I can't find the asnwer to my question in the manual. I want to know if it's safe to drive at highway speeds in 4wd hi. So, how fast can you go?

Thanks,
Dave

not sure about the new 150's but my last truck ('00 dodge dakota 4wd) stated a maximum of 50mph in 4 wheel high. 4 wheel low? if you're in that gear i wouldn't be pushing 30. adam

There are what is called a Stone Stock class in offroad racing and in some of the events, participants will sometimes run in 4 Hi at speeds in excess of 100 MPH. This is not done on pavement! Check out BITD.com for more info on these classes.
BTW most if not all of the stone stocks are Ford products.

I don't know what is actually recommended, but w/ my last 2 trucks I never exceeded about 50mph(usually less). If you NEED to be in 4wd, I don't think you will be worrying how FAST you can go. Don't forget you still need to stop and turn.

55 mph in Four HIGH. The shift on the fly will let you engage the T-case at any speed up to 55 mph. I wouldn't suggest driveing on pavement in 4 LOW becuase you might roast a bearing or something. My 98 Ranger was the same way. Most of these trucks you see racing have special bearings in the T-case and other things that allow them to run at that speed. They still run the old Borg Warner though. That thing is tough.
Same t-case just diffrent guts.

Basically, if the road conditions are bad enough that you feel you need the 4x4 then only run about 35 or 40mph MAX. If it needs to be in 4x4 then it's bad to even think of running the posted speed limit.

I am going to throw my comments in as well. Like the others said, if you need to be in 4 wheel drive, you should drive in 4 wheel drive NO FASTER than you can safely drive in 2 wheel drive. Like Blue said, you need to be able to STOP and TURN as well. 4 wheel drive does NOTHING to assist you in turning or braking, and in fact may hinder your braking abilities. If you are running in 4 wheel drive an have a wheel lock up under braking, that lock up is going to affect your whole 4 wheel drive system, not just the one wheel. If you are traveling highway speeds in 4 wheel drive, then you are going too fast. Period.

Secondly, the max speed you should drive in 4 low is no more than a few miles an hour. 4 low should be used for momentary pulling ONLY. There should be no situation where you would need to use 4 low and travel a great distance at a faster pace. If you find yourself doing that, you are in the wrong place with he wrong vehicle.
MK (always adding fuel to the fire)

Not the ones Ford sends to us they are totally stock in every way, we pick them up at our local dealer, no special bearings or other things are needed. We put 2500 offroad miles race and testing combined, take them out and send them back to Ford. Ford takes them apart for inspection and throws them away.

Same with our transmissions and front and rear differentials.

If it wasn't a FORD, I wouldn't believe it! (Serious note: I'm not calling you a liar or anything of that nature!!!!!!). I would have thought that a lot of folks in the sport went by the rule " if you can't see it, it ain't there". You know what I mean? I always knew those Borg Warner's were tough. This makes me feel better about mine.

I do not see a problem running fast in 4x4 as long as you are not on a paved surface.

You say 55 is the maximum speed you should go in 4x4, why? What if you are out sliding sideways on an on/off ramp for fun before the plows can get to it?
I don't do it much in 4x4 (pushes too much, cannot steer with your right foot), but when I do, I do it fast with no concerns.


I think 55 is about safety, not the drivetrain.

Some people out there actually are excellent drivers... :-X06

I just drove over 100 miles at speeds over 60mph in 4WD Hi. It ran great and still averaged 15.5mpg.

Read my above post.

70
 

Bah! I run 70mph in 4hi all the time, you never know when youll hit an icy patch on the interstate. Everyone else doin 70 only when they hit the ice, they in the ditch! Ive done this with the last 5 fords over 25years. The trick is not turning sharp ever.

BVFD1983, In the book it says you can engage the the transfercase at speeds up to 55 mph in four wheel drive high. That's all I know. As for how you drive it! Drive the S.O.B anyway you want too. It's a damn FORD. It ain't gonna break!!! BUILT FORD TOUGH!!!!!!!!!!

The rules of the road in MD (you know that silly little primer you get to study to earn your license) says that one should always drive a speed that is reasonable and prudent for conditions. The meaning is that if the posted speed in 50 and it is foggy, rainy, snow covered etc. then one should adjust one's speed down below 50 to match conditions.