I have a '96 F350 that pulls a chipper. The previous
owner said you could put the trans into 4x4 low without
locking the front hubs to get a lower gear for
backing up hills to save the clutch. But I have heard
this can cause damage. Does anyone have the real
scoop on if this is OK? Thanks.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Jan-02 AT 09:29 PM (EST)]I do this all the time and have never had a problem.

 

You can put it in 4 low with out locking the hubs. I have done it to pull heavy trailers out of a lot .

Becarefull though ,remember by putting the transfer case in low range you are lowering the gear ratio's and incesing the torqe . Which is ok with the hubs locked as you are spliting the power to both shafts.All of this power is now going to the rear drive shaft alone. It is way too easy to twist a drive shaft or break a ujoint or something else if you give it too much gas in low range with the hubs unlocked. Beside the front shaft is now turning unloaded along the the front halfshatfs.

After braking a few u joints I always lock the front hubs if its low range.

Its kinda of cool though as the lower ratio can give a great hole shot but only a top speed of 25 mph in fourth.