What does 4 Low mean!!!!!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Man this is a scary thread. My wife drives my truck every now and then, because I drive her Mustang every now and then. 
But I have told her to never turn that thingy (what she calls it) into 4L. But it is like pandoras box, you know they gotta try it sometime. 
But I have told her to never turn that thingy (what she calls it) into 4L. But it is like pandoras box, you know they gotta try it sometime.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 136
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From: Switzerland
I think it is not only the 4L that might cause a big problem if switched on on dry paved road. F-150 does not have a center differential that would allow to keep the 4 wheel drive (both H and L) switched on safely in any road conditions. This is my understanding.
If 4 wheel dirve is switched on on dry pavement and the wheels are turned it puts a lot of stress to the transfer case, because wheels are turning different speeds and nothing is giving in the system.
I hope everything is Ok with the truck "driven by wife". My wife is also driving our F-150 a lot. I explained to her the issues and she just said that "engineers are stupid"
If 4 wheel dirve is switched on on dry pavement and the wheels are turned it puts a lot of stress to the transfer case, because wheels are turning different speeds and nothing is giving in the system.
I hope everything is Ok with the truck "driven by wife". My wife is also driving our F-150 a lot. I explained to her the issues and she just said that "engineers are stupid"
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
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There are multiple parts that can be damaged while driving on dry pavement in 4HI or 4LO. When you place switch in 4 HI you are basically engaging the front hubs, with the transfer case at a 1:1 gear ratio. In 4LO an electric motor shifts the transfer case into about a 2.64:1 ratio. This translates into more power, specifically torq to the wheels and "locks" your front & rearend together. You are applying more stress to driveline components. The heavy steering feel is due to front wheels turning at same speed as rear. In wet/slippery conditions (snow,loose gravel, mud...) this is not a problem because front tires will actually lose traction. On dry pavement this increases the possibility of breaking and overheating things. I would think your wife would notice that at say 55 mph the tach would have been screaming high, like 4500 rpm. I have seen and heard a Ranger shift into 4LO at the wrong time at 10mph (shift interlock failed) because the switch was put into 4Lo and it sounds horrible.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 64
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Guys, Please tell your wife what these things do! Education is a lot better than dont touch that! Since i met my wife in college we used to go wheeling just so she could learn how to drive offroad and in snow. In the long run, it pays off, and you might have some fun together.
I have seen trucks driven in 4hi for a few hundred mile trip with no tore up parts, but thats not to say it wont happen. Look for oil leaking, or boots on the CV joints to be tore. That will lead you to any issue if you have one.
I have seen trucks driven in 4hi for a few hundred mile trip with no tore up parts, but thats not to say it wont happen. Look for oil leaking, or boots on the CV joints to be tore. That will lead you to any issue if you have one.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 531
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From: North Richland Hills, TX
You are right ISurvivedNMU, I've shown both my wife and daughter how to operate 4WD and when to use it (I have the manual system). It's alot more comforting knowing they know how. But I guess the stone age response is easier.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 163
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From: Louisiana
4-Lo is a lower gear ratio.
4-lo is a lower gear ratio made for offroad situations, and should never be used on dry pavement. The front axles lock and on dry pavement the tires have too much traction.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 983
Likes: 3
From: Detroit 'burbs
Yes, to put it 4-LOW, you have to come to a complete stop, put the shifter in "N", and then put the switch in 4WD-LOW. Only after the switch is complete, a light will light up on the dash that says "4WD-LO" and then you have to put it back into drive.
Just go in backwards order to go back to 2WD.
Just go in backwards order to go back to 2WD.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by ISurvivedNMU
Guys, Please tell your wife what these things do! Education is a lot better than dont touch that! Since i met my wife in college we used to go wheeling just so she could learn how to drive offroad and in snow. In the long run, it pays off, and you might have some fun together.
I have seen trucks driven in 4hi for a few hundred mile trip with no tore up parts, but thats not to say it wont happen. Look for oil leaking, or boots on the CV joints to be tore. That will lead you to any issue if you have one.
I have seen trucks driven in 4hi for a few hundred mile trip with no tore up parts, but thats not to say it wont happen. Look for oil leaking, or boots on the CV joints to be tore. That will lead you to any issue if you have one.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I suppose you could be right, but I mean the roads here get like ice for the first few hours of a good soaking, due to all the dust that gets into the cracks and pores of the roads. If the rain continues for a while it seems like all the gunck gets washed off the roads and they get much safer. I have owned 4X4 trucks for many years and never messed up anything using 4hi on slick wet roads. In fact when I lived in Idaho, I used to 4 wheel the daylights outta my trucks, both GMC and Ford, and I don't remember ever having to fix anything on the 4 wheel system other than normal maintenance. Sorry for getting a bit off topic here.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 93
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I think you're right. But unless real heavy rain.
Ford only put part-time 4wd into these trucks. Enough for trucks in most cases. But this may be something that a wife or daughter thinks is stupid.
But even if ford engineers change this, the wife will find a way to break it anyway, some times in a pretty creative way you never thought.
Ford only put part-time 4wd into these trucks. Enough for trucks in most cases. But this may be something that a wife or daughter thinks is stupid.
But even if ford engineers change this, the wife will find a way to break it anyway, some times in a pretty creative way you never thought.
Originally Posted by awu_gigabyte
Correct me if i'm wrong, but 4wd is not recommended for rain situations because the wheels will still not slip properly around corners to avoid damaging parts.
Last edited by ytc; Jul 12, 2006 at 08:07 PM.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS
Originally Posted by BlackFX4Screw
About three weeks ago my wife was using my truck. She calls me and ask what does 4 low mean? The truck is hard to steer. I tell her how to get it out and everything is fine until.
After my truck sits over night I have a wine in the front end. After I go 10 or so miles it stops. If I put it in 4 high the wine goes away. Change back to 2 high the wines back.
Ant thoughts on what this could be?
After my truck sits over night I have a wine in the front end. After I go 10 or so miles it stops. If I put it in 4 high the wine goes away. Change back to 2 high the wines back.
Ant thoughts on what this could be?
Last edited by fx4er; Jul 12, 2006 at 09:05 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
From: Willis, Texas
my current truck isn't a 4x4, but my last two were, including a full size bronco, and well, I think I am missing somthing here...
That truck of yours has auto hubs...did anyone think to back the truck up about 20 or so feet straight back to unlock the hubs? Or is this not necessary on the newer pickups?
Back up about 20 feet and stick your head out the window to listen for a popping sound...should happen only once...then see if that whine is still there, okay?
MTCW
D
That truck of yours has auto hubs...did anyone think to back the truck up about 20 or so feet straight back to unlock the hubs? Or is this not necessary on the newer pickups?
Back up about 20 feet and stick your head out the window to listen for a popping sound...should happen only once...then see if that whine is still there, okay?
MTCW
D
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
This has a much better design that those bronco hubs. You dont need to back up anymore. Also for the above poster, DO NOT RUN YOUR 4x4 ON TAR! A good rain will not allow for adequate slippage. All modern 4x4s use staggered ring gearing (like 3.54 in the front, 3.55 in the rear). This allows for the vehicle to be 'pulled' ever so slightly (instead of pushed by the rear wheels) when it is engaged. Since the two axles are spinning at different speeds....and tied together mechanically.....something has to give. The uneven forces WILL break something, there is no 'ifs, ands or buts' about it.