4x4 basics, please
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
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4x4 basics, please
Few questions regarding the 4x4 operation. First, the hop. I'm a little confused by what I've read here... This morning, for example, I was in 4x4 on snow and ice and it still hopped a bit making a tighter turn... Is that normal?
Next, is there a max speed I should worry about shifting into or out of 4x4 mode?
Everything is running great, and I want to keep it that way.
Thanks.
Next, is there a max speed I should worry about shifting into or out of 4x4 mode?
Everything is running great, and I want to keep it that way.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: near Montreal, Canada
My shortbed does not hop even on just rain; definitely not on snow. It does hop/bind on low speed tight turns when parking so now I park in 2x4.
No idea about max speed. I can switch easily at city road speeds.
No idea about max speed. I can switch easily at city road speeds.
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
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Yeah... Low speed tight turns does produce the hop. Assuming thats normal then. Thanks for the speed thoughts, too. It hasnt been a problem doing that... I just didnt want to create one by doing that.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Ford recommends switching from 2x4 to 4x4HI above 5mph, and below 55mph.
To switch from 4x4HI to 4x4LO you must stop, but place the vehicle in neutral and have your foot on the brake.
According to Ford you dont have to drive in reverse to disengage the system, but they do acknowledge that is helps.
To switch from 4x4HI to 4x4LO you must stop, but place the vehicle in neutral and have your foot on the brake.
According to Ford you dont have to drive in reverse to disengage the system, but they do acknowledge that is helps.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 90
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From: Wautoma WI
Why are you using 4x4 in the rain? or on dry pavement? using it in anything but snow or off road eats up tires and u-joints and is a lot of stress on the t-case
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
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The "hop" your experiencing is the ujoints in your knuckles on the front axle, as the ujoint goes through one revolution during a tight turn it speeds up and slows down in two cycles so as your driving the turn the axle will torque up and release as the wheels turn, also to add to this the front axle is turn a larger radius then the rear axle requiring it to travel a longer distance further torquing up your driveline. Your front and/or rear wheels actually have to slip to compensate for this.
I find it amazing 4x4 trucks are still built like this. The ujoints in the front axle are okay but the transfer case should have a differential built into it to compensate for the offset in speeds.
I find it amazing 4x4 trucks are still built like this. The ujoints in the front axle are okay but the transfer case should have a differential built into it to compensate for the offset in speeds.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: near Montreal, Canada
Today I tried 2x4 without traction control in snow. Not gonna try that again; torque = instant slip
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Wautoma WI
The "hop" your experiencing is the ujoints in your knuckles on the front axle, as the ujoint goes through one revolution during a tight turn it speeds up and slows down in two cycles so as your driving the turn the axle will torque up and release as the wheels turn, also to add to this the front axle is turn a larger radius then the rear axle requiring it to travel a longer distance further torquing up your driveline. Your front and/or rear wheels actually have to slip to compensate for this.
I find it amazing 4x4 trucks are still built like this. The ujoints in the front axle are okay but the transfer case should have a differential built into it to compensate for the offset in speeds.
I find it amazing 4x4 trucks are still built like this. The ujoints in the front axle are okay but the transfer case should have a differential built into it to compensate for the offset in speeds.
Ok there are alot of things wrong with this... First off all 4x4 trucks weather solid front axle or cv shaft up front will hop on dry pavement. This is not a problem with just solid axle u-joint trucks.
Second if a t-case had a open differential. It would act like a open rear end sending power to the wheels with the least traction. Leavening you with only front or rear wheel drive.
Finally KEEP YOUR TRUCK OUT OF 4x4 UNLESS IT IS REALLY NEEDED!!! Rain, dry dirt, grass, or gravel are not a reason to use 4x4. If you don't know when to pull the lever and lock the hubs you should have bought a 1/2 ton Chevy with the auto 4x4 option
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
never had an issue at 70mph + just let off the gas and flip the switch.
hopping is normal on tight turns, make sure the surface is slick enough.
4x4 in rain or even dry pavement wont hurt a thing so long as you don't turn. think about all the diesel guy's running the 1/4 mile track in 4 high.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: near Montreal, Canada
I like to use it in the rain. I often spin in 2x4 from stoplights and redlights from rain and the accumulation of car fluids in those places making the road slick.
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
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With the ice and snow in the northeast this week, I needed to kick in the 4x4 just to get out of my driveway. It was all ice, and without the 4x4, I was unable get forward traction on a slight incline. On the return trip, I was in four-wheel, but part of the driveway hadn't been affected by the ice, and the tires caught it on a tight turn as I was navigating to get into the garage. The rear wheels were still on the ice. That is where the hop occurred, prompting this thread.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Missouri
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