Here in Michigan have had about 6 inches of snow last night, plus 6 inches from last week. got to try the 4 wheel drive for the first time.
Just bought a 1990 F150 4x4,(to me) with effort, it will shift into 4x4 high, but no further. has locking hubs. its pretty noisy past 40 mph, and front end shakes, is this normal? I know the later 4x4s are pretty smooth but how about the earlier ones? Are they something you want to drive in 4x4? Thanks

 

I'm just south of you in northern Indiana. My 96 F250 has all new U joints in the front end (D50 TTB) with good ball joints. With the front hubs locked in but transfer case in 2wd I have, on clean 4 lane highway, run 65-70mph smooth and quiet for short runs. I normally only run 4wd on snow covered and/or slick roads. Then top speed is 40-50mph max but still smooth and quiet.


You may have U joint problems or wheel bearings or ball joints.


Todd

 

No, it should not be noisy or shaky past 40 MPH if you have all 4 tires of the same size. You probably got some worn parts in the front driveshaft or the front differential. The easiest thing to check first would be the U-joints in the front driveshaft.

Are all your tires the same size? What kind of surface were you driving on when you noticed the noise and shake?