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engaging 4wd

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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 07:30 PM
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engaging 4wd

Can someone confirm the process of locking in hubs and engaging 4wd on my 1994? Either you do or don't need to put the truck in neutral, get out of truck, lock in hubs, shift in 4 high, put it into reverse to engage the hubs?
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 07:42 PM
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The answer depends on whether or not you have auto or manual locking hubs. In either case putting the truck in reverse is not required. In the scenario of auto hubs they tend to disengage....
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 07:49 PM
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generally will always put the truck into Neutral, I checked with one of the mechanics I know that works on older trucks and yes the truck should be put into neutral (and its kind of a safety thing, so the truck won't just jump forward with out warning) I will try to find the trucks owner guide and see if I can snap a pic of what it reads as to the process but IIRC I said the same thing also.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 07:50 PM
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If you have manual hubs you can lock them in at any time including before you even leave your driveway, and then when you need 4wd just pull the lever or press the button into 4H.. you don't even need to slow down as long as you're not spinning a tire or going around a corner. No need for neutral, no need to stop, no need to backup.. that only applies to auto hubs.

Now shifting into 4low is a completely different story, truck must be stopped and trans in neutral, then you can shift into 4low, and getting out of low range requires the same dance.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 07:56 PM
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Auto hubs engage when you select 4H or 4L. They will disengage when you go back to 2H and then drive in the direction opposite which you were moving before you went back to 2H.

Manual hubs you can engage either before or after shifting into 4wd. You can also disengage them at any time from either 2wd or 4wd, and you don't need the truck in neutral to lock/unlock the hubs. You can also put the truck in 4L without locking the hubs at all, this gives you 2L which is good for when you have good traction but want the extra low gearing such as dragging logs or pulling a boat up the ramp.

The only time you need to be in neutral is going between 4H and 4L.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 07:58 PM
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my truck has manual locks on the hubs. another question. Does anyone know where i can get a new floor boot and retainer for 4wd shifter? I'm having to replace the shifter linkage and am replacing the boot because it is torn.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 08:01 PM
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LMC, Ebay, your local JY, Ford dealership, FTE forums (classifieds area), pick your poison really
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Conanski
If you have manual hubs you can lock them in at any time including before you even leave your driveway, and then when you need 4wd just pull the lever or press the button into 4H.. you don't even need to slow down as long as you're not spinning a tire or going around a corner. No need for neutral, no need to stop, no need to backup.. that only applies to auto hubs.

Now shifting into 4low is a completely different story, truck must be stopped and trans in neutral, then you can shift into 4low, and getting out of low range requires the same dance.
What he said, just adding my emphasis.

With a manual trans I usually push in the clutch to make sure I'm not at any risk of spinning or skidding a tire, but it's not really needed (as long as you aren't spinning or skidding). With an auto I usually let up on the gas a little for the same reason.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Nothing Special
What he said, just adding my emphasis.

With a manual trans I usually push in the clutch to make sure I'm not at any risk of spinning or skidding a tire, but it's not really needed (as long as you aren't spinning or skidding). With an auto I usually let up on the gas a little for the same reason.
that is also why I suggested putting it into neutral as well, same reasons really, just to minimize the chance of the truck spinning wheels, hope the responces help you some! also if you have your owners guide it should have some info on the 4x4 system
 
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Old Mar 13, 2015 | 04:21 PM
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Thanks guys for all the input. Always helpful.
 
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