hello everyone,
I have a 2004 4x4 Ranger and put it into 4x4 for the first time today... I've never had a use for it as of yet, and just decided to try it out.
This is the first 4x4 vehicle I've ever owned, let alone driven.

When I was doing some tight turning or reversing, I had a tough time getting the truck to MOVE at times. It's like I had the emergency brake on or something. This was just on normal street driving in 4x4 high, so it wasn't anything too extreme.
I don't know if it's normal for a 4x4 to do or what, but I'm kind of concerned. It IS under warranty, as it's only got about 750 miles on it, so I don't really have to worry...

Any thoughts?

 

it's doing that because you are not supposed to drive w/ 4x4 on when on hard surfaces such as pavement, it is bad for the truck s 4x4, i dotn know if there is actually a problem or not but just a warning to you

 

hehe... Well, I better tell the Ford dealer that, because they had all the trucks on the lot in 4x4 for some reason when you test drove them...

I wasn't driving long distances, I just tried it in the parking lot at work. So, it wasn't like I had it out on the open road... It did it just when I was turning and going real slow.
All this is totally foreign to me, I just want to know if it's normal and what I should and shouldn't be doing.

 

What you are experiencing is normal in 4 wheel drive.

As noted, 4WD should only engaged on slippery surfaces, such as wet pavement, mud, sand, etc.

 

Thank you!

I feel a little more at ease now.
I'll just keep the 4x4 off unless I need it.

 

In fact, I personally would never use it on wet pavement. Still too much friction there. I'd only use it in snow, ice, or mud if I were you.

 

I flip it on when I pull out in traffic on a wet road. Keeps me from sitting in front of an oncoming freight train of traffic with the wheels spinning.

 

I do not own a 4 x 4 but if you were just driving around the parking lot, why would you have it in 4h? I thought 4L would be for lower speeds and needed for more low end torque. (such as pulling a boat out of the water)

If I am wrong, please verse me well in the ways of the 4 X 4 you senior users.

I do know that 4 X 4 is used when you need the traction such as wet roads, sand etc....

Congrats on your purchase. I love the nostril grills on the 04's.

 

Thank you! I love my '04 so far!

But like I said, I just turned on the 4x4 simply just becaue I've never turned it on before. There was no reasoning behind my action. I quickly turned it off once that I figured it didn't like being in 4x4 at that time... hehe.

 

"WORDS OF WISDOM" A brief try out should be fine but, DO NOT make it a habit. I just bought a new right front autohub for my 97XLT XCAB 4.0 AUTO and it cost me 347.00 ( the hub ) and 30.00 (labor ). SUGGESTION: if you are new to 4x4 then find a nice dirt or sand road to try it out on. While you are there you can also test your ABS. One last tip, 4x4 makes you go better but it does not make you stop better.I agree with Quack & Rockledge.

 

Very true... A lot of accidents around this area in the winter are usually people with SUV's & 4x4's.
They tend to fly down the road because they have an easy time getting going. But whether your 2wd, 4wd or 1wd, it takes the same amount of stopping distance when the roads are slick.

 

TRUE DAT EVERYONE
quack head

 

Remember guys, these are trucks with chain-driven transfer cases, NOT all-wheel-drive cars with viscous couplings. It is NOT a good idea to use 4-high or 4-low on pavement...even if it's raining! That's a lot of stress on the driveline..and a stretched or broken t-case chain is not cool.

4-high is for mud, snow, gravel, sand, etc. Times when you simply cannot get traction in 2-high.

4-low is only for pulling someone else out of a mud hole, or driving over seriously rough terrain, or very deep mud, etc. My cousin used 4-low on pavement in snow once and the front diff. got so hot it literally fell apart. Cost $700 to repair.

4-wheel-drive is cool, but if you wanna' use it, get off the pavement so it'll last you.