I was told by an RV dealer that when i encounter steep switchback type of roads i should put the truck in 4 low. Doing this will take the pressure off the tranny and put it on the transfer case, thus saving the tranny.

Any truth to this?

 

What??????

On dry pavement. I would not do it.

 

If it's extremely steep, and you are driving very slow, then yes it's fine. I've seen some people do that in certain campsites in the mountains. However, there are problems with tight turns and 4wd on pavement. If you climb in your truck, put it in 4wd, and drive down your street and make a sharp turn, you'll feel the front end binding up. Doing that for long periods of time is kinda hard on it and generally not recommended. If you're on snow or a dirt road, there's more "give" when you are turning, so there's less stress.

But your RV dealers is right that in 4wd low some of the trans stress is removed.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-we-found.html

Check this out, this might be alright for what you are thinking too, if its dry out and you aren't losing traction

 

Yes dirt roads. i know what a pain it is trying to turn the truck on pavement when the hubs are locked in.

Thanks rollerstud98 for the link, that is a good idea to free up the turning issues...

Thanks you guys... im looking for any way to help the life of my tranny.....

 

If your truck has a floor shifter you would be fine, just dont lock in your hubs, and voila, 2wd low range. If you have the electric switch, you would have to disable the vacuum to the hubs.

 

If you don't have auto locking hubs, then there is no pressure on the front end. If you do, then try the link above that rolerstud98 is referring to.

 

I have auto locking hubs, but they dont work..... (imagine that)

see there are advantages to some things not working!!

 

I had a factory 72 C**V**LET one time that had the "2low" on the floor shifter. wonder why that was done away with???????? sorry for the "C" word.

 

I had one of those back in the early 80's. I would take off in 2 low and shift quickly to 2 high. I could out run my cousin in his mustang. It's a wonder I didn't leave the tranny on the road.

 

A user on FTE Eric Long, found this out the hard way while backing a good size boat up a driveway. The first time he did it in 2wd and his tranny overheated and spewed fluid everywhere. The next time he had to do it, he put his truck in 4low and was able to back the TT he'd towed for someone up a steep driveway without a problem.

 

How long and steep of a driveway was that?

 

There are pics of it, but I can't find them. It was a steep driveway, if I find the pics I'll post it.