4X4 operation 101 for dummy
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New User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Locust Grove, Ga
4X4 operation 101 for dummy
This 1990 F150 is the first 4wd truck I have ever owned. I do not know what is normal or not. When I put it in 4L it is geared low and the trans shifts gears...cool. When it is in 4H, it feels normal until I slow to turn in the cul de sac and then it feel like it has a flat tire or something...at this point, I took it out of 4WD. Was I turning too sharply or is something wrong...and it should turn in a cul de sac?
So what is normal and what should I do or not do with the truck? Jokes are ok, but I am a novice when it comes to 4WD and would appreciate some earnest information.
Thanks Bob
So what is normal and what should I do or not do with the truck? Jokes are ok, but I am a novice when it comes to 4WD and would appreciate some earnest information.
Thanks Bob
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
How fast are you going in 4x4 it isn't good to drive to fast in 4x4 you know that right? You could be turning really hard for pavement driving 4x4 is more for mud snow and such turning it isn't as harsh on it.
Trav
Trav
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New User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Locust Grove, Ga
I wasn't going any more than 25 mph or so in my neighborhood. As I went around the cul de sac, very slow.
I don't know if anything is wrong with it or not since i do not know what to expect it to do. I have read that 35 mph or so is about all you need to drive while in 4WD.
I don't know if anything is wrong with it or not since i do not know what to expect it to do. I have read that 35 mph or so is about all you need to drive while in 4WD.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Oregon
The problem is you are driving on pavement in 4WD. It is going to make the truck feel off and also cause binding in the driveline. DON'T use 4WD on anything other than off-road or snow applications
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2012
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When in 4WD your turning radius is decreased. On pavement the truck will feel a lot different than it does in normal 2WD mode.
4WD really shouldn't be used on dry pavement, it could cause too much strain on your components causing early wear.
4WD really shouldn't be used on dry pavement, it could cause too much strain on your components causing early wear.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
You can do damage to the truck by driving on dry pavement in 4wd. Probably dont get much snow down there in GA, thats the only reason you would need it on pavement.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
I wouldn't use the term "wear"... you can break things.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Yup as stated avoid 4wheel on hard surface even hard packed gravel can be hard on one if attempting tight maneuvers.
You can run highway speeds in 4H if you wish, won't hurt a thing.
I lock my hubs in fall (first snow fall) and leave them locked till spring, in and out of 4H "on the fly" as I wish, moving over in to a snow covered lane to pass slower traffic for example.
You can run highway speeds in 4H if you wish, won't hurt a thing.
I lock my hubs in fall (first snow fall) and leave them locked till spring, in and out of 4H "on the fly" as I wish, moving over in to a snow covered lane to pass slower traffic for example.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Locust Grove, Ga
As stated above, we do not get much snow here in Georgia and I have never had a use for a 4WD. This one was available for a decent price and I like to mess around with different cars and trucks.
All good posts and appreciated. It definitely makes more sense now.
All good posts and appreciated. It definitely makes more sense now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
I personally don't drive in 4x4 on the highway for many reasons of safety of you and others but weathers are diffrent in diffrent area I am in northern arizona where we get snow and they don't salt the roads lots of black ice accidents.
Trav
Trav
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
every 4x4 we have gotten was in the winter or raining season so I test them then on a backroad. the last owner of our 97 Expedition got mad at me because me and his son when cruising down a back road with it in 4x4 testing all the applications of the 4x4. So far all the trucks we have running currently have automatic hubs instead of manual.
Trav
Trav
Fleet Owner
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From: Mi'kma'ki
4wd low is very useful,even with the hubs unlocked when traction isn't required.
it's very useful for crawling around,towing up large steep hills where you then stop at the top and shift back into 2wd or 4wd hi.a whole set of low gears to use.a lot of people don't use this set of gears because they lack the need,or don't know when to use them.that t-case alone to me,is just as a big advantage as 4wd is many times during the day.
you can drive hwy speeds in 4wd hi if you wish.
remember 4wd uses more fuel.even just keeping the hubs locked in with shift lever in 2wd uses more fuel.so if the roads are clear just unlock them,it only takes a few seconds to lock up and go again.no need to needlessly feed the greedy oil pigs.
it's very useful for crawling around,towing up large steep hills where you then stop at the top and shift back into 2wd or 4wd hi.a whole set of low gears to use.a lot of people don't use this set of gears because they lack the need,or don't know when to use them.that t-case alone to me,is just as a big advantage as 4wd is many times during the day.
you can drive hwy speeds in 4wd hi if you wish.
remember 4wd uses more fuel.even just keeping the hubs locked in with shift lever in 2wd uses more fuel.so if the roads are clear just unlock them,it only takes a few seconds to lock up and go again.no need to needlessly feed the greedy oil pigs.