Hey all,

I've heard of some people running in 4x4 Hi during a heavy rainstorm? Is this advisable or can damage occur? I have a 98 Ranger 4x4 (PVH) and unfortunately don't get to run it in 4wd as much as I'd like to, thus not keeping the parts and stuff working. It's been quite rainy here in Boise and I was wondering if that would be a good opportunity to keep things fresh and running by driving a bit in 4x4 Hi. Thanks!

 

It shouldn't hurt anything. Its when you have positive traction, especially around corners that you don't want it in 4x4 on pavement.

 

When its dry you certainly wouldn't want to be in 4x4, and even when wet you don't want to turn too sharply.

Though...for reference the best way to find out where your weak link is is to strap your truck to a tree and dump the clutch in 4Low on pavement and start cranking the wheels =).

C'mon..it was gonna break the next time you went out......

 

Yea, I don't put it in 4x4 in on road at all, but provided the roads are slippery he should be fine if he just wants to drive it a tad to spread the lube around. I still would watch corners though...suck for it to grab and bind.

 

hey azz, thats my suggestion, dont steal my thunder

unless you really just need your 4wheel drive you can lock your hubs, given they are manual, and drive around like that and it does the same thing but it wont bind the 4 wheel drive parts.

just a thought

-cutts-

ok i just re-read your post and you have a ranger so you dont have manual hubs, hell you dont have hubs, lol. yea just drive around aat least a mile a month on slippery surfaces and you will be good to go

 

Ebay has great deals on used Hooked-On-Phonics fishy

 

i allredeee triid hookd on fonix and i am to stoopid



-cutts-

 

I certainly wouldn't drive on the pavement of any kind with an 'actual' 4wd system engaged. A specifically designed full-time, or even an all-wheel drive system is just fine to drive like that. Even wet pavement doesn't have that low of a coefficent of traction.

 

Was that you? I thought you just ACTUALLY DID IT. My bad, I'll make sure to give props next time.

 

lol i never said i didn't . i was just messin with ya man

-cutts-

 

I always had to use 4low on the boat ramp other wise I'd loose the truck and trailer. I always had two people when doing this or I would have the first time I tryed it.

 

That's a slick situation, and you're not turning and causing any bind. 4x4 can be run however you want on pavement as long as its in a STRAIGHT line. The minute that the wheels start turning, you get binding as one has to slow down (inner tire) to make way for the faster tire (outer tire).

 

So then could turning in heavy snow cause problems? I assume that there's sufficient slippage in snow that the wheels won't bind when making a turn at a intersection or getting off an exit ramp, but is this always the case? Sorry, I'm totally new at this 4x4 stuff.

 

Question... if the front end is a LS or open diff, then why would there be bind?

 

Why not skip the pavement and drive it on a dirt road in 4wd? It sounds as though your main interest is lubing the top side of the tcase, not additional traction in the rain. Just a thought.

Ernie