Alright, so im finally ready to take the plunge and purchase my first ford truck (not sure what year or model yet), but I've got one newbie type question first, as you can guess its about 4x4 mode. All I know about it is that it gives you more traction on slippery surfaces. Im wondering about when to use 4hi and 4lo, and what types of things i should look for when shopping for a 4x4 truck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

4-L is only for things like rock crawling. It might also be useful on a boat ramp. I use 4x4 for driving on snowy roads, so I only put it in 4-L once just to see if it worked. Just remember that 4x4 does not make the brakes work any better and, at least on older Fords, the anti-lock is disabled when the transfer case is engaged. If you can, get a manual, rather than electric 4x4 system, peferably with manual hubs, less to go wrong.

Jim

 

I have a '95 F-150, with manual hubs & transfer. Like Jim said, you'll never use 4L unless you're launching a boat, or decide you wanna tow a trailer through a pond. The nice thing about mine is that you can engage 4H at any time, as long as the hubs are locked in, as opposed to having to put the car in neutral and creep into it.

A very important point to remember: 4x4 does NOT make you invincible. If you are driving in a condition where you need to engage it to drive, then you should go slower than normal, leave yourself plenty of room, and be extra sensitive with the pedals. I'm not sure if it's the same with other trucks that are the same model as mine, but my brakes are very touchy. It's great for normal driving because I can stop on a dime, but in the snow and ice, I've got to be careful, or I'll slide right off the side of the road.

Oh, one more thing with the manual hubs-they're not a pain to lock in like I've heard. Some people are too lazy to walk to their front wheels in the morning, I guess. Chances are, if you're going to need them, you'll know it before you start driving, and can lock them in before you pull out of the driveway and avoid having to do it on the side of the road later.

 

4Lo is really nice to have when you are pulling someone out of the mud, a ditch or something like that. Manual hubs are the only way to go if you have a vehicle with lockable hubs, almost all autohubs are weak.

The other nice thing about manual locking hubs is that you can use the low range with the fronts unlocked and hae 2Lo

 

I only use 4x4 when I get stuck in 2WD, or when I know I will need it. 4LO is only used when Im pulling someone out, pulling something around the yard, or for the better gearing while towing a 3-ton trailer around our yard.

I recently used 4-hi when we got about an inch of sleet/snow on the roads here last weekend. I was going from a friends house to mine to pick up my ATV. Made it just fine in 2WD, but it slowed me down fishtailing up the hills. Made the trip back in 4-hi so I could go a little faster and for the added braking traction.

 

> what types of things i should look for when shopping for a 4x4 truck

Manual hubs, manual transfer case, manual transmission. It will make a used truck much more bullet proof, reliable, and easier to repair. Where you live, using 4x4 in snow and ice just might happen :-)

You did not say what your budget is. One Ford vehicle that is excellent in 2x4 is a Ford Bronco II. Two out of three I owned were

manual hubs
manual transfer case
manual transmission

Excellent traction in 2x4, excellent traction in 4x4, very tight turn radius (I love these trucks in the woods), good gas mileage (18 mpg 2.9L with manual), and good seat position great for long trips. Easy to park. Rear seats fold for more room.

The only drawback is the TFI ignition module since they tend to fail. They are $30 and I use to keep a spare and the tools to change it in the glovebox.

Easy to work on, parts are cheap.