Shifting into 4-wheel drive...
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 80
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From: Seattle
Shifting into 4-wheel drive...
I've got a new '05 F250, and I was 'orienting' myself the other day by trying out all the 'gadgets' in it (the rig only has 275 miles on it so far...)
One thing I noticed is that it was extremely difficult to get the truck into 4-wheel drive and back out again. I opted for the floor shift, since I've never been to keen on the 'push-button' actuators. I'm no stranger to 4-wheel drives, having owned several, but this just seemed real tight, like it didn't want to go - is this normal, just 'tightness' from being new and such? I had to put it in reverse (instead of neutral), then 'grind' a little bit to get the transfer case to finally dis-engage.
Anybody else notice any problems with their rigs when they were new?...
One thing I noticed is that it was extremely difficult to get the truck into 4-wheel drive and back out again. I opted for the floor shift, since I've never been to keen on the 'push-button' actuators. I'm no stranger to 4-wheel drives, having owned several, but this just seemed real tight, like it didn't want to go - is this normal, just 'tightness' from being new and such? I had to put it in reverse (instead of neutral), then 'grind' a little bit to get the transfer case to finally dis-engage.
Anybody else notice any problems with their rigs when they were new?...
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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4LO is much tougher than 4HI, but they can both be tough. Those straight-cut teeth don't want to engage or disengage smoothly, especially if there is strain against them.
The biggest trick I had to learn with our '97 (with manual t-case lever but auto trans) is that "foot on brake in drive" is absolutely not a strain-free setup; you *have* to shift to neutral to get it to shift smoothly. Then you're at the mercy of how the teeth happen to be lined up... and the trick for that is to not have your foot on the brakes, and if possible even to be rolling just a tiny bit. (I think this is what you simulated with your shift to reverse.) Don't worry if you hear gear teeth clash a bit - they have to, to engage (no syncromesh on t-cases like this!)
Duncan
The biggest trick I had to learn with our '97 (with manual t-case lever but auto trans) is that "foot on brake in drive" is absolutely not a strain-free setup; you *have* to shift to neutral to get it to shift smoothly. Then you're at the mercy of how the teeth happen to be lined up... and the trick for that is to not have your foot on the brakes, and if possible even to be rolling just a tiny bit. (I think this is what you simulated with your shift to reverse.) Don't worry if you hear gear teeth clash a bit - they have to, to engage (no syncromesh on t-cases like this!)
Duncan
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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I have the esof on mine.... but
I always found with my jeeps that once you could get over grinding your baby...
it was best just to be stopped in neutral at idle and GO FOR IT....
just grab it an force it in quickly to limit the ggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and just get one Ggrr !
I always found with my jeeps that once you could get over grinding your baby...
it was best just to be stopped in neutral at idle and GO FOR IT....
just grab it an force it in quickly to limit the ggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and just get one Ggrr !
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
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From: Carlsbad, California
Used to do a lot of downshifting on a manual transmission without syncromesh. With practice you can get pretty good at it.
On other 4x4 manuals to shift in to 4Lo I found it pretty much as the other guys have mentioned - stopped in neutral then go for it. I tried to generally be on a slight bit of an incline so that I could ease my foot of the brake and roll just a tad to help align the gears.
On other 4x4 manuals to shift in to 4Lo I found it pretty much as the other guys have mentioned - stopped in neutral then go for it. I tried to generally be on a slight bit of an incline so that I could ease my foot of the brake and roll just a tad to help align the gears.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
NewFordOwner, were you trying to shift into 4HI or all the way into 4LO?
The shift into 4HI on my truck has always been smooth, like changing gears on a manual, stopped or rolling. I've only had grinding on 2HI to 4HI shift when I was being an idiot and spinning my wheels in the sand, shifting at the same time. Big time grindage on that one!
4LO can be a real PITA to engage at times! Like all have said, it's best to be in neutral, completely stopped, before going into 4LO. I've found that if you're in 4HI, and want to shift into 4LO, it's easier to shift back into 2HI, then in one swift motion, without stopping, shift all the way down into 4LO. If it still won't go, I'll roll the truck a few feet forward, and try again.
The shift into 4HI on my truck has always been smooth, like changing gears on a manual, stopped or rolling. I've only had grinding on 2HI to 4HI shift when I was being an idiot and spinning my wheels in the sand, shifting at the same time. Big time grindage on that one!
4LO can be a real PITA to engage at times! Like all have said, it's best to be in neutral, completely stopped, before going into 4LO. I've found that if you're in 4HI, and want to shift into 4LO, it's easier to shift back into 2HI, then in one swift motion, without stopping, shift all the way down into 4LO. If it still won't go, I'll roll the truck a few feet forward, and try again.
Last edited by Munkey; Sep 14, 2004 at 11:30 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Getting out of 4wd sometimes I turn the wheel to unbind the axles. My truck see's 4wd about 5 times a week cause I have a steep driveway. If you are on a incline sometimes its good to let her roll just a little to make sure it goes into 4 lo, the lever will go all the way in this way. As for 4 hi to 2 hi Hit the gas for a second and let off at the same time push the lever into 2hi it will go easy cause the drivetrain will be unloaded..
Dick
Dick
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Seattle
The trouble seems to be mostly with 4LO - the lever just doesn't seem to want to go all the way back. Once it does go, and the '4LO' light comes on, it doesn't seem 'solid'. The legend on the shifter shows that 4LO should be straight back, then to the right slightly to 'lock' it in. Mine just goes straight back, with no right side movement, and it seems like any little jarring of the truck would knock it right out of 4LO and into neutral. Maybe this is normal, but in my other trucks, it's always been a much more positive engagement.
Even with the 4HI though, I really have to pull back hard on it. I'm thinking this is going to just be how it is and it's just something I need to get used to...
Even with the 4HI though, I really have to pull back hard on it. I'm thinking this is going to just be how it is and it's just something I need to get used to...
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Mine won't feel right in 4lo unless I do what I said. Then it goes alittle more and won't come out.
Dick
Dick
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