First 4x4, quetions about upkeep

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Apr 11, 2013 | 11:29 PM

BigMix

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From: Georgia

First 4x4, quetions about upkeep

Got my first 4x4 a few weeks ago, 2013 F250 XL CCLB 3.73 E-Lock. I only got it with 4x4 because it had all the other features I wanted. The last 4wd anything I have driven were military vehicles years ago while in the Army.

What I would like to know is since I will probably go off-road only 3-4 times per year (nothing serious... hunting and such), should I engage 4wd to lubricate the front diff and axle? Could I just engage 4HI and not manually locking the hubs since you are not suppose the drive in 4HI on dry pavement?

Sorry for the wordiness.

I just want it to last for a long time.

Apr 12, 2013 | 12:09 AM

alpha/omega

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Just keep everything greased (all ujoints if they have zerks, linkage and associated external moving parts) it will be perfectly fine. You have sealed wheel bearings so no need to grease anything internal and you are literally thousands of miles from changing diff and t-case oil. Maybe a little wd40 on the locking hub assembly when you rotate tires.

Shift it in and out and lock the hubs a few times a year. Maybe drive a couple hundred yards forward and reverse. There is nothing wrong with driving in 4hi on dry pavement. Full time 4wd trucks have done it for decades.

They really don't require much maintenance in your application.

Apr 12, 2013 | 06:27 AM

tjc transport

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

my trucks usually only get the 4 wheel engaged in the winter when plowing.
and most of the time it is only locked hubs,T-case in 2 wheel. never had any problems with them.

Apr 12, 2013 | 06:34 AM

BigMix

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From: Georgia

Thanks, Tom. The dry pavement comment came from the owners manual. Several friends with 4x4 had been telling me that I needed to run in 4HI so the seals in the front diff don't dry rot.

Again thanks for the good info. I am just a little paranoid with this thing being brand new.

Apr 12, 2013 | 07:09 AM

alpha/omega

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Your truck is stupid strong in the drivetrain department. You wont tear anything up driving on dry pavement in 4hi

Apr 12, 2013 | 07:24 AM

tjc transport

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

the "don't use 4 wheel on dry pavement" thing references to the fact that the steering will "bind" when turning.
and the owners manual has it in it because people are stupid and will sue ford for replacement parts because they drove from Maine to Costa Rica with 4 wheel engaged and blew up the front axle and transfer case if it was not written in there.

more importantly, you should not engage 4 wheel if moving over 35 or 45 mph.