4x4 Questions....
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4x4 Questions....
This is my first year having a truck during the winter. I've never owned a vehicle with 4x4, so I'm not fully sure how/when to use the 4x4 options. I have a '98 F-150 with a 4.6. I've asked different people on how to switch into either 4H or 4L, and each person has told me different ways to do this. It's my truck lol, I want to make sure I don't screw anything up when switching. I've been told you can switch anytime while driving at any speed, I've been told to switch only while not moving and in neutral, I've been told I can only use 4H or 4L up to certain speeds, or while not hauling anything, I've been told women shouldn't have to worry about such things (lol, yes, someone told me that!). All I want to do is to know what the difference is between 4H and 4L, when is the proper time to use each, and how to switch into 4H and 4L, and if there's any speed restrictions on using each. Thanks everyone!!!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 203
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From: Western North Carolina
All the info you are seeking is in the Ford Owners Manual, so I assume your Owners Manual is long gone.
If you have the dash mounted 4x4 ****, then you can shift to 4H at any speed below 50 MPH, to shift to 4L, come to a stop then shift to 4L, leave the trans in drive.
If you have the floor lever 4x4 shifter, the procedure is the same, but you will also have a "N" neutral position where no power goes to either axle.
4H is used for snow covered roads, mud roads, dirt roads, etc, NOT on dry hard surfaced roads. Keep your speed within the posted speed limit when in 4H. If you can drive 60 MPH safely, then you don't need to be in 4H.
4L is for off road situations where 4H is not sufficient. 4L is LOW, so speeds of 35 mph is the max you should use, then shift to 4H.
You can shift from 4H to 2H at any speed below 50 MPH with either system. Shift from 4L to 4H or 2H, come to a stop first.
Good Luck with your F-150.
If you have the dash mounted 4x4 ****, then you can shift to 4H at any speed below 50 MPH, to shift to 4L, come to a stop then shift to 4L, leave the trans in drive.
If you have the floor lever 4x4 shifter, the procedure is the same, but you will also have a "N" neutral position where no power goes to either axle.
4H is used for snow covered roads, mud roads, dirt roads, etc, NOT on dry hard surfaced roads. Keep your speed within the posted speed limit when in 4H. If you can drive 60 MPH safely, then you don't need to be in 4H.
4L is for off road situations where 4H is not sufficient. 4L is LOW, so speeds of 35 mph is the max you should use, then shift to 4H.
You can shift from 4H to 2H at any speed below 50 MPH with either system. Shift from 4L to 4H or 2H, come to a stop first.
Good Luck with your F-150.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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OK heres the short of it, 4H (4wheel HI) is for moderate speeds around town on slick roads and you can just reach down and turn the **** to 4H at anytime that you need it. Just be sure the front and rear wheels are turning at aprox. the same speed... dont have the rear tires spinning like trying to get unstuck while the front tires are not moving. If you do this you will hear a loud noise and things will not work as they should any more. Now 4L (4wheel LOW) is for when you need maximum torque and can only be used for speeds up to 25mph. EX: when you are going up or down a steep hill and need to keep the speeds slow, or possibly pulling a boat out of the water etc. To put it in 4L, YOU MUST come to a stop and put the truck in NEUTRAL, then turn the **** to 4L, put transmission back in Drive and proceed slowly. It will be rare that you use 4L, you will however get a fair amount of use from 4H, this is the gear used 99.9% of the time IF you need to use 4wd. This should be explained in more detail in your owners manual. Enjoy your new to you truck.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
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From: E.Lincoln County, NC
And if your manual is missing you can view/download one here:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp
https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp
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