4wd low range question

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Jun 22, 2013 | 06:19 AM

Pockets52

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From: Georgia

4wd low range question

Tried to put into low range, goes into high range but not low. do I need to lock hubs to put into low?

Jun 22, 2013 | 06:51 AM

Tom

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From: Isanti, MN

Nope, the hubs have absolutely nothing to do with it, assuming yours are automatic. When you turn the switch to 4HI or 4LO the front hubs are locked in automatically through vacuum pressure.

You need to have the truck stopped, in neutral, with your foot on the brake to go into 4LO.

Jun 22, 2013 | 01:46 PM

fordman19762003

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I agree with Crazy, the hubs have nothing to do with transfer case shifting. You need to have tranny in N and foot on brake. Sometimes you might have to let the truck roll a little to take any binding off the tranny to get it to shift also.

Jun 22, 2013 | 01:52 PM

TosaFords

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I've never had to let mine roll. As long as it's in Neutral and foot on the brake it will shift. Be ready once you go into gear, it might jump a little as the transmission applies a small amount of torque and it will try to start moving right away until the brakes catch a little harder.

Jun 22, 2013 | 03:32 PM

Pockets52

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From: Georgia

That worked, thanks, why would you lock the hubs if you can just turn a switch?

Jun 22, 2013 | 08:20 PM

fordman19762003

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TosaFords

on my old truck I had to let it roll a couple of times, I think there was just a little bit of pressure on the driveline and it wouldn't shift. My new truck has a manual t case and I have to rock it a little sometimes to get the gears to mesh.

Jun 22, 2013 | 08:24 PM

fordman19762003

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Pockets52

That worked, thanks, why would you lock the hubs if you can just turn a switch?

Ford recommends manually locking the hubs for heavy duty use such as plowing or offroading, and eventually if you keep the truck long enough you'll develop a vacuum leak and the hubs won't automatically engage in which case the manual mode is a failsafe mode. My truck has a straight manual system, but even if it had the ESOF I would still manually lock the hubs in since then I know for sure they're locked. But that's just my preference.