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four wheel drive question.

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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 06:29 PM
  #1  
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jetch114
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four wheel drive question.

This may seem silly ,but from my understanding, if you turn the interior 4x4 **** from 2wd to 4wd that puts you into 4wd and there is no need to lock the hubs in. If this is the case what is the reasoning for even having the hubs. Can someone make some sense of this for me..thanks in advance..I'm gaining a wealth of knowledge from this forum..I'll be my own mechanic in no time!!
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 07:55 PM
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wb6anp
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From: Weatherford Texas.
the haubs are automatically locked and unlocked at the same time. The reason is that it removes extra drive train drag in 2 wd helps to save on fuel. Also the front and rear differentials are a different ratio so it could cause problems if left locked. There are more experienced people that can give you more info. this is just what Ive learned from reading.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 07:59 PM
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so......do I have to have the hubs locked in to have it in 4WD???If not is there any benifet to locking the hubs in??
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 08:07 PM
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yes you do have to have them locked in but it does it automatically for you. you don't have to get out in mud or on a cold snowy night to lock them just turn the **** and it locks the hubs and put the transferr case in 4wd
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 08:41 PM
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The front and rear ratios are different?

First time I've ever heard of such. Is that a positive statement?
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 09:03 PM
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There is a "Locked" position and an "Automatic" position. Leave it in auto then if you need to go to 4WD then just flip the switch but if for some reason it won't engage the hubs, then you can manually lock them in. I think it is a pretty cool feature especially since when I use it I am generally way out in the mountains away from any help.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 09:11 PM
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From: Bossier City, LA
Originally Posted by NavyPowerstroker
There is a "Locked" position and an "Automatic" position. Leave it in auto then if you need to go to 4WD then just flip the switch but if for some reason it won't engage the hubs, then you can manually lock them in. I think it is a pretty cool feature especially since when I use it I am generally way out in the mountains away from any help.
Ding Ding Ding you are the winner. The reason they used manual hubs on the shift-on-the-fly trucks is because they are relying on a vacuum hose to lock the hubs for you. In case of hose failure, you can still lock them in.

As for the front and rear differential being a different ratio, that is absolutly not true. Pipeline companies leave their hubs locked in year round, due to never knowing when you need FWD. It uses a little more fuel if you leave them locked in, but it will not hurt anything. Furthermore if theyr did use a different ratio, you would not be able to engage FWD on pavement or it would tear up the transfercase in very short order.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 09:25 PM
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thank-you......that all makes sense to me..It just didn't make any sense to have hubs but not need to lock them in..
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 09:29 PM
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I thought the reason for the manual locks was because it takes some forward movement in order for the hubs to lock automatically. So if you were to get stuck in the mud while you are in 2wd the hubs wouldn't be able to lock automatically. In that case, you would be able to manually lock them and get out.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:08 PM
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From: Weatherford Texas.
Originally Posted by mrxlh
As for the front and rear differential being a different ratio, that is absolutly not true. Pipeline companies leave their hubs locked in year round, due to never knowing when you need FWD. It uses a little more fuel if you leave them locked in, but it will not hurt anything. Furthermore if theyr did use a different ratio, you would not be able to engage FWD on pavement or it would tear up the transfercase in very short order.
That is what I have always been told by anyone I talked to including the dealer, to never put it in 4wd on pavemet because it will destroy the transfer case if you do. I am new to 4 wd also, just repeating what I have been told over ther years by people who supposedly new what they were saying.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:20 PM
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From: Bossier City, LA
Originally Posted by wb6anp
That is what I have always been told by anyone I talked to including the dealer, to never put it in 4wd on pavemet because it will destroy the transfer case if you do. I am new to 4 wd also, just repeating what I have been told over ther years by people who supposedly new what they were saying.
No problem, you can now stop repeating it because its false. Many here who race their trucks launch them from the line in 4x4 to keep from smoking the rear tires. Have yet to hear of a t-case failure yet. I have had mine in 4x4 on the pavement several times for some extended periods, due to ice and snow. I think the reason they recommend against using 4x4 on the dry pavement is when you turn sharp it really binds up the front end. It even says you can engage the auto shift trucks into 4hi as long as you going slower than 55mph. I don't know of anyone going 55 mph offroad.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 12:47 AM
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I wasn't reapeating it I was just explaining why I said it you don't need to gt upset over it. I am starting to believe one cannot say anything on her without getting flamed.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 12:57 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by mrxlh
It even says you can engage the auto shift trucks into 4hi as long as you going slower than 55mph.

.....snickers.....

They will engage or disengage at double that speed
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 08:02 AM
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Owners manual is a handy tool to have for a ? like that.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 09:25 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by KING
The front and rear ratios are different?

First time I've ever heard of such. Is that a positive statement?
It's positively false!
 
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