Hiway running in 4 hi . How fast is to fast?

[Turbo Terry]

Many times on the hiway 45-50 maybe 60. Not packed snow two tracks open sweeping corners. You don’t want the rear end to spin out in two wheel drive so it’s in 4 h.Whats to fast for the transfer case etc

 

[BigPapa]

Maybe it’s different in Alaska, but if the road conditions are good enough for me to run 45-60, I don’t need 4x4. The front wheels will get their best traction to steer the truck just rolling, not pulling or breaking. With the truck in 4x4, the front wheels are most always either pulling or braking just like the rear wheels.

 

[Diesel85]

Same here.

My EcoD has 4x4 AUTO option along with 4x4 HI and 4x4 LOW, but only time I've used it is when conditions warrant. I still treat 4x4 AUTO like a normal locked 4x4. To me the ground has to have sufficient play to allow the steer axle to give without binding or I am going in a straight direction.

I have used 4x4, e-brake and in Park when loading trailers to keep the truck from scurrying away when loading something like a skid steer or an excavator. Words wonders on soft or sandy grounds.

 

[Ozymandias]

There is no "to fast" for your Type of 4x4 system. It is built for all speeds.
I did very much the same as you on wide open Ice roads in northern Europe, it just drives more stable. With all 4 wheel turning at the same speed at all times it just behaves much better.

Big Papas point is valid if it comes to sharper curves, turns or downhill slopes, but not in 50mph wide curves.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I’ve gone well over 100 many times in four wheel drive in my ‘97, ‘06 and ‘14 and have never had an issue.

 

[Ozymandias]

Same here.

My EcoD has 4x4 AUTO option along with 4x4 HI and 4x4 LOW, but only time I've used it is when conditions warrant. I still treat 4x4 AUTO like a normal locked 4x4. To me the ground has to have sufficient play to allow the steer axle to give without binding or I am going in a straight direction.

I have used 4x4, e-brake and in Park when loading trailers to keep the truck from scurrying away when loading something like a skid steer or an excavator. Words wonders on soft or sandy grounds.

You can have your on 4WD-Auto at all times. The only single time it shifts from 2WD to 4WD is when the rears starts to spin - and it disengages them almost instantly if wheel speed goes equal.
There is no binding with that system as it is a clutch pack that is compressed by a magnet, the reaction is instantly. The Durango has very much the same system, just lacking the 2WD option, 4WD-Auto only.
I heard the 2WD option was added only for the kids so they can do their burnouts and doughnuts.

 

[AH64ID]

Many times on the hiway 45-50 maybe 60. Not packed snow two tracks open sweeping corners. You don’t want the rear end to spin out in two wheel drive so it’s in 4 h.Whats to fast for the transfer case etc

It’s not about speed, it’s about traction. If the surface is a high traction surface you don’t need 4wd.

While I’ve ran 4wd on snow covered interstates at 45+ I’m usually back in 2wd at those speeds even if the roads have some snow on them.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Very interesting thank you

 

[NIsaacs]

There is no "to fast" for your Type of 4x4 system. It is built for all speeds.
I did very much the same as you on wide open Ice roads in northern Europe, it just drives more stable. With all 4 wheel turning at the same speed at all times it just behaves much better.

I agree.

Those that brag about saving their 4x4 are the same folks that save their head lights on cloudy, foggy, dusk and bad weather days.

When it is slick, an 8.5k lbs truck just works best in 4x4. Exhaust brake, just engine hold back without exhaust brake, forward traction, steering and braking all work better.

The automatic wants to push you through a slick intersection, again 4x4 helps.

Give me all wheel drive

 

[bcbender]

It’s not about speed, it’s about traction. If the surface is a high traction surface you don’t need 4wd.

When it is slick, an 8.5k lbs truck just works best in 4x4. Exhaust brake, just engine hold back without exhaust brake, forward traction, steering and braking all work better.

I also use 4wd on occasion on loose gravel roads. Especially with the trashforce tires, I feel the truck is more stable and handles the everchanging traction conditions better.

 

[AH64ID]

I also use 4wd on occasion on loose gravel roads. Especially with the trashforce tires, I feel the truck is more stable and handles the everchanging traction conditions better.

I use 4wd all the time on gravel roads, especially when towing.

I’d really like a full time 4wd transfer case that can also be part time in these trucks.

 

[AnonEd]

"I’d really like a full time 4wd transfer case that can also be part time in these trucks."

Agree that might be the best of both worlds, but having had issues (like "4WD unavailable" or no front drive) in 4H or 4L in most half-tons that offer it I'd prefer they get it fully sorted at light-duty level before putting it in an HD pickup.

 

[AH64ID]

"I’d really like a full time 4wd transfer case that can also be part time in these trucks."

Agree that might be the best of both worlds, but having had issues (like "4WD unavailable" or no front drive) in 4H or 4L in most half-tons that offer it I'd prefer they get it fully sorted at light-duty level before putting it in an HD pickup.

Many of the “full time” LD transfer cases are just auto 4wd, not full time 4wd despite calling it full time 4wd.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I did like the stick on the floor shifter better in my 99 .I could just reach down and eyes not off the road. But it was in the way of my right leg on the new trucks. The button requires a visual look down . Not good. We have 111 inches of snow here now sometimes you have to drive it like you stole it. The three winters old Firestone factory tires will make it thru this winter with 22 k now but I will have much better tires come next winter. Had to wear them out

 

[bcbender]

If I had to deal with the kind of weather you have in AK,.. there is no way I would have kept them, I would have changed out the trashforce tires first year.. They are marginal at best in rain and wet,.. not used them in ice and snow, nor would I care to. At 30k..they are all spin when empty...Will be replacing this spring before travel season.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Drove in many miles in many winters with poor tires. Putting weight rear of the axle helps all vechiles cars and trucks both.. I’m a very good winter driver and also know when to stay home. Blizzacs were the best winter tires I ever had but you could not run them in the summer . Too squirmy on the road and wore out to fast. Picked up a lot of gravel also

 

[BigPapa]

The right tire for the right job.

I still haven't found the right job for the Transforce's yet....

 

[BarryG]

Many times I have to traverse the state in the winter time going to or from Denver to west of Durango. Which means I have to go over several mountain passes Wolf Creek, La Veta, Poncha, Kenosha etc depending on the route I take. Many times I will get hit by a storm going one way , the other and sometimes both ways. I have driven for several hundred miles at a time in 4x4 and if road conditions (whether snow related or terrain conditions at least imo) permit I have no problem driving 50mph. I used to have a temp for my front diff on my old truck. Yes the faster I went the higher the temp got but I never saw it above 150 deg even after a couple hours at 50mph. Usually it was in 125-135 range. Those temps are driving empty or a relatively light load in the bed say 500lbs. Again at the higher speed it was if conditions were right in daylight hours not just blasting 50mph in a blizzard, heavy snow on the road or say the downhill side of a pass.

 

[Ozymandias]

The right tire for the right job.

I still haven't found the right job for the Transforce's yet....

Aside from being cheap? I think that's their job.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I lived in Wyoming a decade in the 1980 working for the electric company and drove miles in those old Chevy pickups in 4 w high but as you say my speed was 45-50. Mph. Slowing down might make you late but you do get there