4X4 use question...

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Oct 26, 2006 | 03:27 PM

MineralStang

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From: Centennial

4X4 use question...

Hey everyone...wanted to ask a quick question. This winter, I'm going to keep my hubs locked and just shift in and out of 4 wheel when I need it but I have a quick question. How slippery does it have to be before I can use 4X4 Hi and how fast can I go? I will never see the highway at all (definately not in 4X4) but wanted to know how fast I could go on side streets? Also, here in Colorado, we are notorious for having really bad patches with just wet patches in between. What do you do then? I've heard the axle/xfer case will be torn up if you drive on even an only wet surface. Just wanted to get everyones input! Thanks for all of the help! BTW...do you have to back up after it has been in 4X4 to fully disengage the front axles? Thanks!

Nate

Oct 26, 2006 | 03:32 PM

idgit0488

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Only use 4x4 if you are on a road surface where the tires can slip. If the tires can't slip then the drive components will start to bind. I've heard it's best to reverse for a few feet after disengaging the hubs.

Oct 26, 2006 | 03:54 PM

MBBFord

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From: Louisiana

You can keep your hubs locked it, and drive 70 mph if you wanted, but in 4x4, I wouldn't want to drive on a road, unless it is wet/snowy/or a dirt/gravel road.
It doesn't hurt to back up and make sure it's out of 4wd. I always try to do it, and I didn't do it one time, and it stayed in 4wd, and I wasn't to happy about that.

Oct 26, 2006 | 07:20 PM

MineralStang

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From: Centennial

OK...thanks for the info. Here is a really dumb question. Will the front drive shaft only turn if you have 4X4 engaged? will it spin with just the front hubs locked and the xfer case in 2Hi? I'm just wondering how to make sure that the truck is out of 4X4 when I'm driving on a dry road etc. this winter. Or is it obvious that you are still in 4X4 if its relatively dry just by the way the truck is driving? Thanks everyone!

Nate

Oct 26, 2006 | 07:28 PM

gbrett

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the shaft will turn if the hubs are locked you can drive as fast as you want in 4 hi but like was stated earlier you need to be on a surface where your tires can slip dirt gravel mud snow I only back up if i am having trouble getting out of 4x4 or unlocking hubs

Oct 26, 2006 | 10:04 PM

matt's77

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Joined: Jul 2006

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It will steer a lot different in 4wd. you will tell the difference.

It's not a bad idea to find a gravle road, lock it 4wd and get a feal for it befor the weather gets bad. this will also let you know everything is working befor you need it and it's to late.

Oct 28, 2006 | 09:13 AM

vls

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Joined: Feb 2003

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It's not a bad idea to lock in the hubs every once in a while, even in the summer. Keeps the front U-joints and hub splines from binding up from rust or hardened grease. I keep mine locked all winter (we get lots of snow around Tahoe) but if I forget to take the transfer case out of 4WD when on dry pavement, the steering gets really froggy really fast! I hardly ever use 4 Low unless I'm plowing snow.