Shifting into 4WD
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: La Tech University, La
Shifting into 4WD
Ok, my 91 150 has the shifter on the floor, kinda like a manual tranny shifter. Can I shift while driving or in gear...or do I have to be in netral or park and at a stop, I mean whn al can I shift into 4WD and out of 4WD
My roomates 89 Bronco has a little pushbutton on his dash to the right of the steering column, can his 'shift on the fly' or what not. I jst got my truck a few weeks ago, it is my first 4x4.
Thankyou for the help I know I will recieve. Jimmy Dean
My roomates 89 Bronco has a little pushbutton on his dash to the right of the steering column, can his 'shift on the fly' or what not. I jst got my truck a few weeks ago, it is my first 4x4.
Thankyou for the help I know I will recieve. Jimmy Dean
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Independence, MO
Shifting into 4WD
As far as i know on the manuel shift T/C you need to stop put it in N. or park and lock your hubs in unless there automatic. as far as th electric shift, i'll leave that one to somone else. i've never used one. DW
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: UT
Shifting into 4WD
Once the hubs are locked, you can move between 2H and 4H pretty freely. Because there are no synchronisers in the transfer case, shifting from 4H to 4L requires that you slow down to at least nearly stopped.
As for the electric shift, it's really no different from the manual shift, except that you have an electric motor that moves the shift forks. One caution. I know the manual says that you can shift from 2H to 4H up to like 55 mph. When the auto hubs are unlocked, though, I wouldn't. The mechanism in the t-case that spins the front driveline up to speed isn't perfect, causing quite a clunk when it gets locked to the rear. Once the hubs are locked, you can then go from 2H to 4H freely. On the electric shifts, they've put failsafes into the shift mechanism so it won't shift from 4H to 4L unless you are in neutral, stopped, with your foot on the brake.
As for the electric shift, it's really no different from the manual shift, except that you have an electric motor that moves the shift forks. One caution. I know the manual says that you can shift from 2H to 4H up to like 55 mph. When the auto hubs are unlocked, though, I wouldn't. The mechanism in the t-case that spins the front driveline up to speed isn't perfect, causing quite a clunk when it gets locked to the rear. Once the hubs are locked, you can then go from 2H to 4H freely. On the electric shifts, they've put failsafes into the shift mechanism so it won't shift from 4H to 4L unless you are in neutral, stopped, with your foot on the brake.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: La Tech University, La
Shifting into 4WD
Well, I have auto hubs right now, plan on changing before this winter. So wehn I manually lock them BEFORE I leave, If I am in 2WD headed... say north. I encounter ice on the road, if going say 30mph I can swith into 4WD HIGH? And back again?
As for right now with the autos, you said only to do it with the hubs locked? How would I do that? Put it in 4WD when I first leave, then shift into 2WD, and not go into reverse or something? Like I said this is my first 4x4 so I still have alot to learn...
As for right now with the autos, you said only to do it with the hubs locked? How would I do that? Put it in 4WD when I first leave, then shift into 2WD, and not go into reverse or something? Like I said this is my first 4x4 so I still have alot to learn...
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Shifting into 4WD
the auto hubs will lock when ya hit 4h, you'll be able to do as ya said if the rear wheels ain't spinning, if front and rear spinnin at same speed it'll slide right into 4h. easiest way test your truck some parts maybe more touchy then others depending on the wear and tear your trucks been thru. just drive at diff. speeds testing how easy it slides back into 4h.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Shifting into 4WD
I can pop my 84 F150 from 2h to 4h at really any speed I want, it's a manual on the floor. I don't recommend doing it at speeds over 15-20 mph. It has the aluminum chain driven T-case. But my 77 F250 has the old cast iron gear driven OX and I have to stop to lock it in from 2h to 4h. Both trucks I have to stop and put it in neutral to use 4low.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
Shifting into 4WD
with auto or manual hubs, electronic or manually shifted, you should be able to shift on the fly up to 55mph. Auto hubs require you to move foreward some distance (i think it's 10ft or so) to fully engage and for unlocking you have to backup same as you did to lock them in. I would look into picking up a pair of warn premium manual hubs to replace the autos, which IMO suck for durability and you have no way of telling from inside the cab if they are in or not.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Shifting into 4WD
I have manual hubs and transfer case on both trucks...I wouldn't have it any other way!
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: La Tech University, La
Shifting into 4WD
Unfortunately while they are in the plans before winter, the manual hubs goota wati until after the 260 bucks for 2 new fuel pumps...and engine work to make sure it runs this winter thankyou for the help guys.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Shifting into 4WD
Automatic hubs:
If hubs are unlocked, you can shift into 4wd up to 50ish mph (the slower the better). You'll hear a clunk, which is normal.
If the hubs are already locked, you can shift on the fly at any speed.
You must drive forward 10 feet to lock the hubs after shiftiing into 4wd. You must backup 10 feet to disengage the hubs. This makes it difficult to use 4wd in tight spaces off road or hauling someone out of a ditch. Also, if you get stuck in 2wd stopped, you still have to spin the tires 10 feet to get the auto hubs to kick in.
Manual hubs:
Lock them to use 4wd...unlock them to not use 4wd. If they are unlocked, and you put the shifter into 4wd, they will stay unlocked. Once you lock them, and put it into 4wd, the 4wd is there and working. You don't have to drive 10 feet like the auto hubs. If you're hubs are locked, you can shift into 4wd at any speed.
If hubs are unlocked, you can shift into 4wd up to 50ish mph (the slower the better). You'll hear a clunk, which is normal.
If the hubs are already locked, you can shift on the fly at any speed.
You must drive forward 10 feet to lock the hubs after shiftiing into 4wd. You must backup 10 feet to disengage the hubs. This makes it difficult to use 4wd in tight spaces off road or hauling someone out of a ditch. Also, if you get stuck in 2wd stopped, you still have to spin the tires 10 feet to get the auto hubs to kick in.
Manual hubs:
Lock them to use 4wd...unlock them to not use 4wd. If they are unlocked, and you put the shifter into 4wd, they will stay unlocked. Once you lock them, and put it into 4wd, the 4wd is there and working. You don't have to drive 10 feet like the auto hubs. If you're hubs are locked, you can shift into 4wd at any speed.
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Sep 20, 2004 07:54 PM
