Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

How fast in 4X4 high?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 2008 | 12:17 PM
  #1  
advocate's Avatar
advocate
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
How fast in 4X4 high?

I know there are limits (as per the manual) as to when you shouldn't shift into 4X4 high... but is there a limit as to how fast can you drive while in 4X4?

We have had some really bad roads lately: close to -30 Celsius, windy, snowy. The highways may look fine but they are ridden by black ice and there have been several accidents in the past few days.

I need to drive these ways to get to work and have had the rear end slip out while doing 80 km/h at about 1500 rpm. I have new all terrain tires and keep weight in the box.

So leaving it in 4x4 would be nice for a little added protection but I am worried about damaging something. It would be nice if I could get up to 100 km/h (60 mph) in 4X4 without worrying about hurting the truck.

btw my truck is a 2003 F150 Lariat Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73, 265/70/17", 185 000 km on it.

Thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2008 | 12:23 PM
  #2  
dadlovesfords's Avatar
dadlovesfords
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
It isn't going to hurt the tuck but.... If it's that bad on the roads you don't need to be running 60 mph anyway. Your just asking for trouble. 4 wheel isn't going to help you stop whatsoever. Being in 4 wheel can actually make you slip worse on the ice. I'd leave a little early and slow down for the conditions. Of course this is just my opinion.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2008 | 01:51 PM
  #3  
galaxie641's Avatar
galaxie641
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
60mph is the upper limit of what I will drive with 4wd engaged and that is always on packed snow, not ice. Usually I figure at 55mph it is either dry enough to take 4wd out or slick enough to leave it in and not go any faster. When there are spots of ice I leave it out and just go slower since you are running on dry pavement more than ice.

As for slowing down it absolutely helps, there is more rotating mass and if you have a manual you can downshift and it will catch better than it would in 2wd.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 08:19 AM
  #4  
preppypyro's Avatar
preppypyro
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I used to work with a guy that drove his truck in 4 wheel drive all winter long. As far as i can remember he didnt have problems with it either. He told me he shifted it in and out at high speeds too.

Wouldnt reccomend that, just saying
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 08:55 AM
  #5  
hush210's Avatar
hush210
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
60MPH wont hurt anything in 4X4, I have ran mine 70+ before. But like the others said if your roads are bad there is no reason to drive that fast. IMO.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 10:06 AM
  #6  
sglaine's Avatar
sglaine
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
My rule of thumb ..if the roads are bad you should not be going over 40 mph to begin with..And that depending on the road is to begin with

Your not going to stop faster having a 4x4 or being in 4 wheel drive..

I get a kick out of people buying a 4x4 for the first time and they think that nothing will happen to them..
Well it catchs up with them real fast..

We all must use our heads out there and keep aware of what is going on around us
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 10:11 AM
  #7  
preppypyro's Avatar
preppypyro
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Originally Posted by sglaine
Your not going to stop faster having a 4x4 or being in 4 wheel drive..
I strongly disagree.

When ya spin out and hit the ditch cause your driving too fast for road conditions(in 4x4), you can stop pretty damn fast!!
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 10:15 AM
  #8  
sglaine's Avatar
sglaine
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by preppypyro
I strongly disagree.

When ya spin out and hit the ditch cause your driving too fast for road conditions(in 4x4), you can stop pretty damn fast!!



LMAO...I just spit my coffee all over my cat
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 11:43 AM
  #9  
advocate's Avatar
advocate
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
I do agree with the speed issue on bad roads and bad driving conditions. Problem for me is that I need to take this way to get to work and to get home. It is a bridge as well going over a river. Just to keep up with traffic and the big trucks at times it is between 80 and 100 km/hr. That said there has been at least 5 accidents over my last 3 work days that I saw. The road is so slick in spots (black ice) that any throttle will kick the rear end out.

Like I said - I did this at 1500 rpm with very little throttle.

I wish I had another alternative route that was feasible... But I am just looking for a safer way to get home without wrecking my beloved truck. Maybe I will just leave it in 4 high from now on. It is not that long of a stretch and the added traction would be welcome.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 01:30 PM
  #10  
sglaine's Avatar
sglaine
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
The best way to get your beloved truck home is to go slow enough so you can act and keep things in control in an emergency..

There is no way clearer then that..

We all have to get there and at times we might think we should have gotten there yesterday..But the fact of the matter is.

You will not do anyone any justice if you wreck,injure or kill someone in the process..

Do not take it like I am chewing you out because I am not..I am just saying how I feel about what I see on the roads when I am traveling out there
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2008 | 01:51 PM
  #11  
BLK94F150's Avatar
BLK94F150
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
I've heard 55 is the max you can shift between 4x4 and 2wd. I'm not sure what the max is, but if everything works right I wouldn't see why you can't go as fast as you want.

Mike
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2008 | 12:19 PM
  #12  
Catch This's Avatar
Catch This
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 7
From: Ashburn VA
FWIW just after getting my 2000 F150 4X4 (new in 2000), I came off of back roads and ran 40 miles on the highway at 55-60mph before realizing I was till in 4 high. It didnt hurt anything and I kept the truck for another 160K miles before getting another.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2008 | 01:46 PM
  #13  
bowdog's Avatar
bowdog
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Western Pennsylvania
Who in there right mind would want to travel that fast in four wheel drive.....that is one of the most stupid question I have seen here. Crash your vechicle thinking you can go that fast in 4x4 and then report back to us how it did on black ice!@!!!



Dummmyyyyy
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2008 | 01:49 PM
  #14  
sglaine's Avatar
sglaine
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by bowdog
Who in there right mind would want to travel that fast in four wheel drive.....that is one of the most stupid question I have seen here. Crash your vechicle thinking you can go that fast in 4x4 and then report back to us how it did on black ice!@!!!



Dummmyyyyy

Besides if you can go fast in the first place you would not need to be locked in 4 wheel drive....
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2008 | 02:54 PM
  #15  
Catch This's Avatar
Catch This
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 7
From: Ashburn VA
I had to go back and read the original post for the Black Ice comments. That is a good question. If there is black ice, why would you want to go that fast?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:35 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE