Hi everybody, i am new to this! I just got a 1985 Ford F150 XL with 7 inch lift kit and lots of things done to it. So here i am wondering how to engage the 4x4. I know in some jeeps you have to go a certain mile per hour and theres different settings. But someone tell me how to engage it in my truck! Thanks!

 

think it depends what type of setup you have. on my truck there is a stick on the floor you pull up to go from 2H to 4H to 4L. You also have to turn the hubs in the front wheel so they lock in. then you're good to go.

 

mine has a long sifter type one that comes up to the top of the seat. and by locking hubs you mean the hub on the wheels right? mine are in the lock position now but 4x4 isnt engaged. is that bad?

 

With that much lift, do you even have a front driveshaft? You are going to get a crash course I believe in all this stuff buying such a highly modified truck as your first 4x4.

I worked with a guy once who put a small block chevy in a jeep, modified the driveline, and never did put the front driveshaft in place. He sold it, and saw it on a car lot later and it still didn't have the front shaft in it(it needed a modified, expensive custom one to work).

 

I thought the instructions were on the driver's side sun visor?

 

Here's how I put my 1984 F-150 in 4X4:

I turn in the manual hubs, and put the transmission in first gear. I move forward a foot or so, then I put the truck in reverse and move a foot or so, each time listening for the front hubs to "click" into locking position.
I put the transfer case selector into 4H or 4L only after verifying that the hubs are engaged.

To disengage, I try to pick a slippery spot in the road/trail and shift the transfer case, under gentle power, lifting off the throttle as I do so. This keeps the Xfer case from binding up and releasing with a "bang" due to 4X4 bind, and takes some finesse. Then I unlock the hubs.

 

when the hubs are locked in, you can shift between 2H and 4H at almost any speed, assuming everything is working correctly.
shifting into 4L requires you be at a stop or nearly so, as the gears are unsynchronized, much like putting a manual tranny into reverse. in a manual tranny, just stop, hold the clutch in, and shift. if it feels like the gears don't want to engage, let it roll a couple inches or let the clutch out just barely enough to let it engage. if you're an automatic, the gears will spin in neutral, making it preferable to shift into park for this. i advise doing so on a slight hill, so you can roll (and spin the gears) a little if necessary.
all this being said, you would be wise to inspect the work of the previous owner, and verify that you do indeed have a drive shaft up front. if you don't, don't try engaging the transfer case while moving, or you will hear your gears having a loud conversation. this warning also applies to a properly assembled truck whose front hubs aren't currently locked in.

and if you didn't know, its advised to have the hubs unlocked except when you think you might need them. otherwise, you wear them out faster, and also consume more fuel as a result of the friction in all those rotating parts. that said, if i think i'll need 4x4 in the next 10 miles, i'll likely leave them in. that practice has been a life saver on a number of occasions, especially in snow, but i'll save the stories for another time

 

I think we lost the original poster of this thread.

 

just wondering if one would have auto locking hubs how would one lock the hubs?

 

You just put the transfer case in 4wd and IF they work they will lock automatically.

 

I found out a good way to check the auto hubs, I have them on the little ranger I have. When they work, with the truck off, transfer case in 2wd, get under the truck and turn the front driveshaft like it was going forward down the road. If they are working, you can't turn the driveshaft much before it will stop and lock up, because the auto hubs lock in and lock it tight so you can't turn it.

After you do this test, you have to back up at least 10 ft to unlock them.