how to put into 4x4

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Dec 10, 2007 | 01:43 PM

deanzawistowski

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how to put into 4x4

i know this sounds stupid but what is the proper way to put my truck into 4x4 High and low?
should i put it in Park, neutral?
can i go from H to L in the same gear.
a step by step procedure would be nice
thanks
-dean

Dec 10, 2007 | 02:10 PM

Hamberger

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From: Ladner, British Columbia

4x4 shifting

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanzawistowski

Not stupid at all Dean.

Both the standard and automatic trucks let you shift from 2WD in 4WD High on the fly.

The problem comes in when you want to go to 4WD Low. You need to stop the truck put it into neutral and then Push down and Pull toward you on the 4x4 shift lever at the same time to get it into 4WD Low.

In either case you need to be in neutral before you can shift into 4WD Low.

Some shift levers are stifer than others. Mine on my 93 F250 is really stiff while my 91F350 shifts like butter. They changed the linkages in 92 and I thing that had a lot to do why some of the 92 and onwards 4x4 levers are harder to shift.

Seb.

Dec 10, 2007 | 02:23 PM

ghunt

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From: Clarksburg WV

Mine seems really finnicky when you're trying to shift it from 2-HI to 4-HI and vice versa.

It seems like I can get it into 4-HI, then it doesn't want to come back out. Is there some trick to it? I noticed you can push down on the **** but I don't really understand what that does.

Dec 10, 2007 | 05:01 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Don't try to shift on the fly unless the hubs are locked in out at the front wheels.

Dec 10, 2007 | 06:25 PM

PLC7.3

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With manuals locked you can slip in and out of 4x4/2x4 any time any speed any direction.

With auto hubs you must be stopped to select 4x4 and engage hubs, then you can drive forward or reverse. Let's say your locked in 4x4 going down the interstate at 50mph you are able to go in and out of 4x4/2x4 just like the manuals. IF you selected 2x4 while driving, and stop for fuel/coffee lets say and reversed the truck 10ft, you will have unlocked the auto hubs. You would have to stop re lock the auto hubs by selecting 4x4 and drive forward/backward, you could then go back and forth to 2x4/4x4 as long as you "did not back up in 2x4".

Dec 10, 2007 | 11:27 PM

deanzawistowski

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so i have an 94 auto
so what your saying is i can lock my hubs and still drive around in 4x2 and go back in for between 4x2 and 4x4 while im driving as long as i dont go in reverse?

Dec 11, 2007 | 10:07 AM

PLC7.3

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From: Manitoba

Yes initially to 4x4 at a stand still, then while rolling in and out of 4x2/4x4 as long as no backups occur.......

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Dec 11, 2007 | 12:14 PM

PLC7.3

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From: Manitoba

Quote:

was always told that you couldnt have the manual hubs locked in all the time

That would not be a wise move with manual or auto hubs...... on dry highway/in city dry roads.......on the snow, mud, loose gravel and grass ok. Dean has auto hubs so that is what I was addressing.

Dec 11, 2007 | 04:52 PM

#10

deanzawistowski

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so its ok to have your hubs locked in all the time on an auto?

Dec 11, 2007 | 05:01 PM

#11

82F100SWB

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From: Dryden, ON, Canada

Running the hubs locked with the transfer case in 2wd doesn't pose any threat to your truck, unless you have bad driveline parts in the front axle. Having the hubs locked spins everything all the time, so, you may notice a small drop in mpg, but, so long as you are not running with the transfer case in 4x4, you are not going to have any problems.
As for running down the interstate at 50 mph with the hubs locked, sure, you can just pull the lever and be good to go, but, if you're going that fast, and you need 4x4, you are flirting with disaster, sure, you will have extra traction for driving, but all vehicles have 4 wheel brakes...

Dec 11, 2007 | 06:07 PM

#12

PLC7.3

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From: Manitoba

Quote:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">so its ok to have your hubs locked in all the time on an auto?
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

You can if you wish..... I personally like most only use the extra traction as required in certain condition.... snow, mud, soft sand etc. I always ran mine in 4x4 when snow was over a couple inches, even on the interstate at 70mph and for hours on end with no ill effects. We regularly travelled the DC to Canada corridor up through MD, PA and NY to Toronto in the winter.

Dec 11, 2007 | 06:08 PM

#13

PLC7.3

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From: Manitoba

Quote:

Dec 11, 2007 | 06:16 PM

#14

PLC7.3

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From: Manitoba

Quote:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">so its ok to have your hubs locked in all the time on an auto?

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>