Today I got my 99' ranger 4x4 back from the shop where the automatic locking hubs were being replaced. I got the chance to get my truck out on some muddy trails. I am new to the world of 4x4 and wondering if poor handling on muddy terrain is normal. My truck seems to go all over the place, when before with only 2 wheel drive on, it was easy to turn without sliding around. Also I am curious as to why I can have 4x4 on, and my back wheels will spin while my front wheels dont.

 

With all 4 wheels puling it will be harder to handle, but if the front tires aren't pulling....

Well maybe the front hubs are locked, but not the transfer case. Then it would still be sluggish like it will be when its in four wheel drive, but the front tires won't spin.

Just a question, how dou you know the front tires aren't spinning? There is a differential up front, so maybe only one tire was spinning.

Good luck, and welcome to FTE.

 

The reason for your rear wheels spinning and your fronts not is because in 4 high there is a ratio or 60% of the power to the rear and 40% of the power to the front tires. Since there is more power going to the rear your rear tires will spin easier than your fronts. Now when you Lock your truck into 4 low. It puts equal power to the front and rear wheels a 50%/50%. Hopefully that answers your spinning wheel questions.
edgeoffroad04

 

I dont think that right.If you have a full time 4 wheel drive system then 60/40 is correct.But in a part time 4x4 system its 50/50 no matter if your in 4 high or 4 low.
It sounds like your hubs are not working or the t-case is not engaging.If you can get all 4 wheels off the ground {on jackstands} and put it in 4x4 and see if the front DS is spening front wheels are not speening the hubs are not working and If the DS is not turning the t-case is not working.REMBER SAFTY FIRST USE JACKSTANDS!!

 

Gray is right. The t-case locks the front and rear drivelines together.

To add to the above post...

Just put it in 4x4 and crawl under it (with it in park and p-break on) Then locate the front drive shaft. If either the t-case OR the hubs are engaged the shaft wont spin. If it wont spin thats good, at least part of it is worknig. Now jack up the front (with it still in 4x4) and try spinning one of the tires. The other one should spin backwards (the opposite way of the one you are spnning). If everything checks out here, you are good to go.

Sometimes it takes a second for the 4x4 to engage on mine. You should hear (and feel) it locking in.

Another way to check the 4x4 is get in a clear parking lot and put it in 4x4. Then make a sharp turn at low speed. Then kinda ease on and off the gas. You will definitely feel the differebce vs. 2x4 and should hear the tires chirp.
PS I would do this test first before you get dirty.