I've learned that the roads can't be dry when using the four wheel drive. How about when it's raining?

 

It's generally recommended not to use 4x4 on hard surfaces at all, unless you have an all-time 4x4 transfer case like a New Process 203. That being said, I've heard of people using 4 wheel drive in the severe ran and snow on asphalt with no problems.

If I remember correctly (and someone else please come along and correct me if I'm wrong) the reason being, if power is sent to all "four" wheels on a hard surface, if for some reason the speed of one drive shaft goes faster than the other drive shaft, then that can cause breakage. You can tear up your transfer case (or at the least cause added wear). I would think the differentials wouldn't be hurt at all.

With the New Process 203, which essentially has a lockable differential within the transfer case, you're in 4 wheel drive all the time. Your modes are 4 high locked, 4 high open, 4 low locked, 4 low open. On the street, you run with the transfer case in 4 wheel high open, so the open differential can accommodate varying drive shaft speeds. If you need to go off road, you can leave it open, or you can lock the differential in the transfer case for added pulling power. And, if you want a lower gear set, you shift it into low open or low lock. The downside for all time 4 wheel drive is decrease gas mileage. Also note that all time 4 wheel drive is different that all wheel drive because all time 4 wheel drive has high and low ranges, while all wheel drive is typically only a high range.

 

Makes sense, thanks.

 

It's simple. If you have it in 4x4 and start turning a sharp turn and it starts bucking and creaking, you are prone to breaking something. 4x4 on dry pavement is usually not a problem unless making sharp turns. So if you want to put it in 4x4 when the roads are patchy, it will be fine. But if you get where you are going and want to turn into a parking lot or driveway that is dry, I would push the lever up into 2wd, but leave the hubs locked. That works well also, leaving the hubs locked, and putting the 4x4 lever in and out of 4x4 whenever you need or don't need it, and you can do this at any highway speed.

 

Is it ok to leave the hubs locked at all times (enabling me to switch to and from four wheel drive without getting out of the truck)?

 

Yes, that makes it a lot more user friendly doesn't it? If your wife or girl friend needed to drive it to get somewhere in bad weather, just lock the hubs, and they can pull the lever in and out of 4x4 anytime, and speed, any place, as long as they are not spinning in 2wd. If they are spinning in 2wd, they need to stop, and then pull the lever back into 4x4, and then drive on.

 

Yes it is fine, just remember no tight turns and a heavier steering feel, and less mileage. In crappy weather I leave them in the whole 80 mile trek to work.

 

Actually...

If the hubs are locked, you can shift on the fly with our trucks so long as you're not going over 45.

And, from an old Ford brochure that I've read, you can shift into 4wd any time, any speed, whether stopped or moving. You just need to have the hubs locked for it to do anything.

My fold down cab visor on the drivers side also says you can shift on the fly to 4wd so long as the hubs are locked.

Take it from Ford, not me!

 

Thank you.

 

I thought that is what I said, but maybe you are taking issue with the "spinning in 2wd" comment I made. If you have the hubs locked, are in 2wd, and suddenly get stuck, don't pull the lever back into 4x4 unless your rear wheels are stopped. That's the one instance when you cannot "just pull it back into 4x4".

If the front wheels are turning the same speed as the rear wheels, then the transfer case can go in and out without any trouble. If the front wheels are stopped(that means the front driveshaft is not turning) and the rear wheels are spinning(the rear driveshaft is turning) you will get a nasty noise from the transfer case if you try to pull it back into 4x4.

 

I have a question about the 4x4 locking hubs. Is it ok to leave them locked all the time even if I don't use 4H or 4L very often ?

If I hijacked this thread... I'm sorry.

 

I thought that question was answered out here already recently.

Yes, you can do that, at the cost of increased wear on the front drivetrain and decreased gas mileage. Some people do this in the winter, or other times when they may find themselves stuck.

 

Thanks, Chris. I wasn't real sure about that. I honestly don't recall the locking hub question being asked since I've been an FTE member (but I could be wrong though).

 

My dad's farm trucks, F250 and 350, around 95, havent had the hubs unlocked in years. He needs 4x4 pretty often, and even leaves them locked on long trips on the highway... I dont recomend that because of increased wear and decreased fuel economy.

 

For my '83 F250, what is the correct sequence to go from 4H to 4L? Shift into Park then pull the lever into 4L? or shift into N then change gear? Been hunting around for a clear answer and haven't found one.