I keep reading that you should not lock the truck in 4 if you are on hard ground such as pavement. Can someone tell me why this is? I am fairly new to offroading.

Thx


:-X12

 

do you mean put the truck in 4wd or lock your hubs? it won't hurt to lock your hubs, assuming that you have manual hubs, but there is no reason to have them engaged. free wheel position will cause alot less wear and tear on your axle because nothing is engaged. as far as running 4wd on pavement, try it out once and you will see why- it will handle terribly to the point where it's dangerous. it is also causing unneeded wear on alot of your drivetrain components.

chris

 

check out http://www.howstuffworks.com/four-wheel-drive.htm

 

It's because Ford uses a slightly higher ratio in the front than the rear, to give better off-road sdteering performance. But on a high-traction surface, the tires can't slip in relation to each other, so there's a LOT of load put on the t-case chain, stretching it. It might even break.

 

The slightly higher ratio front to rear depends on what rear and model you own. The fact does remain, that if you lock the truck into 4 by, without a viscous clutch assembly to distribute the power, you will cause damage to the compents beyond normal wear and tear. Ford trucks use the gear or chain driven transfer cases, not the viscous clutch you'd find on, say, a Subaru.

I have owned trucks with a slightly higher ratio in front than rear. These trucks were manufactured before 1983. In the 1/2 ton trucks, when the 8.8 came out, Ford went to a closer ratio. For example the trucks with the 8.8" and 3.55:1 gear (since 1983 until 1996) had the higher ratio in the rear. While the front had the 3.54:1.

The gear ratios are all based on the number of teeth on the pinion and ring gear. Divide the # of ring gear teeth by the # of pinion teeth and you'll have the ratio. I know you're not going to run out and tear apart your front and rear just to see the teeth. Just know that Ford supplied some trucks with different ratios because of different manufacturers between the front and rear (i.e. Dana front and Ford rear). These two ratios have to be within a 1% difference to be safe from substantial wear and tear (mechanical engineer's words, not mine). When you think about driving with the truck in 4 by with the hubs locked in and different ratios, think about what happens if your wheels can't slip. If you're on the asphalt or hardpack gravel, the wheels can't slip and things will wear faster, or worse, break.

-Kerry

 

3.54 is a "higher" (faster) ratio that 3.55. Even a '96 Bronco will have higher front than rear, and I'm sure even the new ones do too.

There are a few ratios that are used F&R, like 3.50.

 

put a ford in 4 wheel drive on pavement and try to turn, it will throw u out the window!

 

 

Also chews-up tires.