4wd Dilemma
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 185
From: Dedham, MA
I have the electric transfer case. I've engaged it instantly from a dead stop numerous times, no clicking. I did notice the clunk in 4lo that Ferguson mentioned but not problem with driveability once engaged.
is300, i did this exact thing in my first off-road vehicle ('92 Exploder). I went off-roading in some muck, got stuck and had to get out and lock my manual hubs in the mud. Wound up having a local guy tow me out with a tractor. Not my finest moment...
is300, i did this exact thing in my first off-road vehicle ('92 Exploder). I went off-roading in some muck, got stuck and had to get out and lock my manual hubs in the mud. Wound up having a local guy tow me out with a tractor. Not my finest moment...
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Back in the day when my 4x4's had manual hubs I locked them in the day I bought the truck and never disengaged them. That way whenever I wanted 4WD I just engaged/disengaged the transfer case.
It was "shift-on-the-fly" before that became an industry term...
It was "shift-on-the-fly" before that became an industry term...
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
as 96150 said, the second your light on the dash lights up 4x4, your now in 2 or 3 wheel drive. 3 wheel if you've got a limited slip, 2 wheel if running open diffs front and rear
I'd stay in 2x4 until you need it. as my dad always said, "use 2x4 until you got stuck, then put it in 4x4 and leave the way you came. that way you always get home." of course that was in the days of manual hubs, but it applies to the 04 and ups also.
I wouldn't worry about putting "stress" or "wear" on the drivetrain by running around in 4x4 off-road. these trucks have a pretty beefy drivetrain. what you'll really notice is that your turning radius is greatly affected in 4x4 hi and low. that is why I'd recommend staying in 2x4 until you really need it.
I'd stay in 2x4 until you need it. as my dad always said, "use 2x4 until you got stuck, then put it in 4x4 and leave the way you came. that way you always get home." of course that was in the days of manual hubs, but it applies to the 04 and ups also.
I wouldn't worry about putting "stress" or "wear" on the drivetrain by running around in 4x4 off-road. these trucks have a pretty beefy drivetrain. what you'll really notice is that your turning radius is greatly affected in 4x4 hi and low. that is why I'd recommend staying in 2x4 until you really need it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
The problem with theory, is you could be stuck before you realize you needed it The 4-wheel drive is made to used, thats why you paid the big bucks. To pay out money for a 4x4 and get stuck in 2-wheel drive doesn't look to good ha ha.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
ReForder, you'll notice the driveablility issue is on tight turns as tylus said. The front end binds up when you cut the wheels hard. For most normal situations this isn't noticed. But when your cranking the wheel to back a trailer down a hill and around a corner, you'll feel it. Every ford 4x4 I've ever had did this, but my old 250 was violent. But I also believe in the don't use it until you need it, or want the lower gear ratio of the 4LO, because when you bury it in 4wheel, your callin your buddies, a tractor, or a wrecker. But if you get it stuck in 2WD, throw her in 4Wd and out you go.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
Thats all fine if you can get it in 4-wheel, the poster got stuck and couldn't get it to engage. In a lot of situations, it's momintume that keeps you going. If you get stuck in 2-wheel at a dead stop, sometimes it's to late for 4-wheel, but to each his own.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, CT
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2310763090070152644eFnQmo
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2400760450070152644pVgSEf
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2270272620070152644chhRMC
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2795595120070152644GYcouM
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2991395780070152644GEAZxi
This is some of the pictures that my girlfriend took of my truck...The aftermath....
PS...my friend was giving me eyes and when my 4wd finally kicked in, he was shot by 10 lbs of mud!!!! I almost died laughing.
PPS...if being stuck isnt bad and getting towed out by an atv isnt a nightmare, I locked my keys in my truck with all my lights on....eventually, we called AAA and they guy propped the door open and jumped my batt....
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2400760450070152644pVgSEf
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2270272620070152644chhRMC
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2795595120070152644GYcouM
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2991395780070152644GEAZxi
This is some of the pictures that my girlfriend took of my truck...The aftermath....
PS...my friend was giving me eyes and when my 4wd finally kicked in, he was shot by 10 lbs of mud!!!! I almost died laughing.
PPS...if being stuck isnt bad and getting towed out by an atv isnt a nightmare, I locked my keys in my truck with all my lights on....eventually, we called AAA and they guy propped the door open and jumped my batt....
Last edited by is300wrx; Dec 5, 2006 at 09:32 PM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Back to your original question, were you trying to engage 4 HI or LO? Where whas the clicking under you(transfercase) or up front (hubs) I really don't see the hubs causing it because they are either on or off, and really wouldn't click unless they weren't lined up to lock and you mashed it, and they didn't lock beacuse they were spinning too fast.
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
if the 4x4 didn't engage in about 10 seconds, you've got a problem that the dealership needs to address.
these new hubs engage almost instantly when the vacuum diaphram releases. I usually hear the t-case motor switch over instantly and my front end is pulling immediately
these new hubs engage almost instantly when the vacuum diaphram releases. I usually hear the t-case motor switch over instantly and my front end is pulling immediately
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
tylus...i agree. 4hi engages very quickly. Sometimes i hear a slight clunk when i am going from 4hi to 4lo. It sounds pretty normal. I think all trucks have their own distinct sound since they are made in a factory.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Canada
Originally Posted by wendell borror
Thats all fine if you can get it in 4-wheel, the poster got stuck and couldn't get it to engage. In a lot of situations, it's momintume that keeps you going. If you get stuck in 2-wheel at a dead stop, sometimes it's to late for 4-wheel, but to each his own.
In my truck I hear the transfer case slightly moan and then I get a clunk once I step on the gas. My old blazer used to so the same, so I thought it was normal. I'm gonna get it checked next week.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by is300wrx
yes, it was all the way into 4wheel hi.
PS> I didnt know I had to be in Neutral to get it into 4w LOW.
PS> I didnt know I had to be in Neutral to get it into 4w LOW.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together. You don't 4 lo to get unstuck, shift on the fly 4 high would of done it. On my ranger, I must have the clutch in and my foot on the brake to put it in 4 lo. On my jeep liberty, you have to be rolling at 2-3 mph to engage 4 lo, thats a new one on me, but thats what the manual says and it works.
