thinking about hooking chains to a ranger
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
When you select four wheel drive, you can pick 4x4 high or 4x4 low. The difference is gearing in the transfer case. If you select 4 low the transfer case changes your gearing, givin you a lower gear ratio and more grunt. It will spin the front shaft but if you dont lock the hubs the front wheels wont spin, thus keeping it a 2wd and just changing the gear ratio, so the rears have more low end power.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
As long as your 4x4 running stuff like transfer case and all the joints are lubed up and in fine condition it will be just like regular 2wd, except geared lower (higher rpm for same speed). Since your hubs arent locked you wont bind the front end so its fine even for turning.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Pulaski, TN
that is what i was worried about, my transmission, i have already tried it out, i could tell it was lower gears. i climed a big hill behind my house i actually got futher in regular 2wd than i did in 2-lo but 4-hi or 4-lo i get all the way. what i think is very funny is that my f-150 in 2wd got 3 times as far up that hill than a chevy 1/2 ton his hubs wouldn't lock in but he had the transfer case in 4-lo.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Pulaski, TN
well the bumper was spaced out but it did rub the radius arm a little but but not bad at all. of course as you can see i went down to 31 10.5's then moved the bumper back in. so the 2" lift on front and the spaced bumper works fine.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,611
Likes: 0
From: Bored town OH
"Or if you really wanna stomp him grab that 250 with the 7.3...4LO w/o the hubs locked, 2nd gear...hahah that would be great."
-My buddies dad would KILL me if he found out we took his truck and hooked it to something! He babies it big time, never mudded and the most off roading its done is driving on a grass field! It only has around 120k on it.
"Ok, that open is really gonna hurt you, when that right rear starts spinnin its over (assuming he has LS or a locker). The body lift wouldnt help unless you hook somewhere that was lifted, like the body, or bumper (if you lifted it). Ive seen some who left the bumper alone, which to me looks goofy."
- dont worry he's got open diffs too. also i lifted the bumpers, it did look really goofy with out them lifted, i had to drive around for a week with them sitting low. lifting the rear bumper was cake compared to the front, had to cut off some of the frame, raise it a few inches, weld, and weld frame chunks to re-inforce it. that was a pain with a short sleeved shirt and no gloves!
he has height and traction, I have torque and weight...it just rained so im gonna have to wait until the field drys to hook him, i stand no chance in mud.
-My buddies dad would KILL me if he found out we took his truck and hooked it to something! He babies it big time, never mudded and the most off roading its done is driving on a grass field! It only has around 120k on it.
"Ok, that open is really gonna hurt you, when that right rear starts spinnin its over (assuming he has LS or a locker). The body lift wouldnt help unless you hook somewhere that was lifted, like the body, or bumper (if you lifted it). Ive seen some who left the bumper alone, which to me looks goofy."
- dont worry he's got open diffs too. also i lifted the bumpers, it did look really goofy with out them lifted, i had to drive around for a week with them sitting low. lifting the rear bumper was cake compared to the front, had to cut off some of the frame, raise it a few inches, weld, and weld frame chunks to re-inforce it. that was a pain with a short sleeved shirt and no gloves!
he has height and traction, I have torque and weight...it just rained so im gonna have to wait until the field drys to hook him, i stand no chance in mud.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
I think it is pure myth that people break more pulling on pavement. I've hooked and see people hook at least once a week and I see more carnage on dirt, especially when the wheels start to hop.
I attended a pull last weekend on asphalt and did see some breakage but it as mostly front axles or tie rods. Nothing compared to the carnage I see on dirt. Grenaded transfer cases, pinions being pulled through cases and the occasional loss of complete front axles assemblies.
Most of the dirt carnage is related to wheel hop and the loading and unloading of the drive train. Guys refuse to get out of it when it starts to hop and scattered parts usually follow.
Suggestion #1, do not dump the clutch or gun it. Adjust your mirrors where you can see his rear tires, when his tires spin, ease into it and drag him as far as you want.
#2, throw some weight in the bed of your truck.
#3, you don't list your tranny, if you have an auto, be sure to keep it in first, if you have a manual and get pulled the first time, try second gear. I doubt you will have a problem but your gearing could hurt you.
#4, read #1 again. DO not mash the stupid pedal and give it hell. Wait for his wheels to spin and take him wherever you want.
The people winning pulls keep the best traction and mashing it isn't conducive to keeping traction.
I attended a pull last weekend on asphalt and did see some breakage but it as mostly front axles or tie rods. Nothing compared to the carnage I see on dirt. Grenaded transfer cases, pinions being pulled through cases and the occasional loss of complete front axles assemblies.
Most of the dirt carnage is related to wheel hop and the loading and unloading of the drive train. Guys refuse to get out of it when it starts to hop and scattered parts usually follow.
Suggestion #1, do not dump the clutch or gun it. Adjust your mirrors where you can see his rear tires, when his tires spin, ease into it and drag him as far as you want.
#2, throw some weight in the bed of your truck.
#3, you don't list your tranny, if you have an auto, be sure to keep it in first, if you have a manual and get pulled the first time, try second gear. I doubt you will have a problem but your gearing could hurt you.
#4, read #1 again. DO not mash the stupid pedal and give it hell. Wait for his wheels to spin and take him wherever you want.
The people winning pulls keep the best traction and mashing it isn't conducive to keeping traction.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
84 f250 6.9
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
36
Apr 16, 2009 01:29 PM
Schmids4.9l
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
22
Mar 7, 2005 09:25 PM
