New to 4x4
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, On
New to 4x4
Ok, I might sound like an idiot here but I just purchased my first 4x4. It is a 1990 F-150 XLT Lariat with a 351W. It has manual locking hubs on it but I am not sure how you engage the 4x4 to use it. I know that you have to lock the hubs but then do you just put the transfer case into 4low, 4hi or whatever, or do you have to be moving first to engage the transfer case. Any help would be great since then I can go out and have some fun and not wreck anything too bad.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, FL
lock the hubs in first. 4hi can be engaged on the fly, but not over 55mph. 4 lo is engaged you have to be stopped and put tranny in neutral. you can't go over like 35mph or so when in low. and don't use 4lo on solid surfaces, you can cause binding in the drivetrain and break something. when you take it out of 4wd, shift tcase first into 2wd, then unlock hubs. you may also need to go backwards 10ft or so, then back forward to make sure the hubs disengage. hope this helps.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I'll add that you cannot use 4wd(4hi or 4lo) on clear pavement at all, there is no center differential so if you do anything but go straight ahead you'll produce binding and driveline damage is very possible.
If you leave the front hubs unlocked and shift the transfer case into 4ho or 4lo, the front wheels will recieve no drive torque so the vehicle will act like it's in 2wd.
If you leave the front hubs unlocked and shift the transfer case into 4ho or 4lo, the front wheels will recieve no drive torque so the vehicle will act like it's in 2wd.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 2
If you aren't sure weather or not you are going to need 4x4 on a particular trip, just lock the hubs. When the hubs are locked you can just move the lever from 4hi to 2hi as the terrain dictates.
They do get a little loud at freeway speeds. They do also increase drag, and therefore decrease fuel mileage, but I'm pretty sure the effects are minimal.
They do get a little loud at freeway speeds. They do also increase drag, and therefore decrease fuel mileage, but I'm pretty sure the effects are minimal.
