Using 4wd...I feel retarded even asking!

[SAP2018]

ok, I live in Southern California and do mild off roading with my son (7yrs old), fire trails and Azusa canyon occasionally.

We went to big bear this past weekend and it was snowing, threw it In 4hi at the top where it started to get a little icy, I tried to do a 3 point turn with 4hi on, at full lock the front felt weird, like it wanted to grind is the best I can describe it, am I not supposed to go full lock with it engaged?

Traction control was off, should it have been on?
I have the limited slip AAM rear axle but it doesn’t seem to lock the rear very well like the G80 in the Silverado I used to have.

Sorry for the million questions, 4wd is brand new to me, I know you guys are a wealth of information and use 4wd daily.

Thanks in advance.
Mario.

 

[Wiredawg]

I can't answer all your questions, but have an opinions: I never turn at full lock. I release slightly to take strain off the steering linkages. You're likely OK, the sound you heard, you were getting traction.

Hope this helps,

Ron

 

[nukegm]

comrade - in 4hi my truck is very difficult to do a 3 point turn, either forward or reverse on snow or ice. it tends to hop and skid a little. this is from the drivetrain slightly binding up a little while doing a tight turn, in my opinion. try this on dry pavement, its even worse. but that all seems normal to me. have a 70 bronco that does the same thing, as well as a 2002 2500 - dittos for that one too. cheers!

 

[SAP2018]

comrade - in 4hi my truck is very difficult to do a 3 point turn, either forward or reverse on snow or ice. it tends to hop and skid a little. this is from the drivetrain slightly binding up a little while doing a tight turn, in my opinion. try this on dry pavement, its even worse. but that all seems normal to me. have a 70 bronco that does the same thing, as well as a 2002 2500 - dittos for that one too. cheers!

So it’s ok correct? I try to never do full lock turns myself but was in a very tight spot, the binding is not too harmful is it? I do not plan on doing any similar turns in the future.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

It's normal Sap. All 4wd vehicles do it.

 

[Ozymandias]

So it’s ok correct? I try to never do full lock turns myself but was in a very tight spot, the binding is not too harmful is it? I do not plan on doing any similar turns in the future.

No it isn't harmful, not at all as long as it is Offroad.
Done on dry pavement, fully loaded, every day - then yes, it will harm the driveline.

Your rear differential is a Torsen System read here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsen how it works.

TCS OFF is perfectly.
What isn't perfectly at all is driving DOWNHILL with the 4wd engaged, that will lock front and rear together with the result that your rear axle do over-braking, that is a very dangerous condition to lose totally control over the vehicle.
Especially on slippery surfaces. Never do that except one is a very skilled driver and knows perfectly what he's doing at that moment.

 

[SAP2018]

No it isn't harmful, not at all as long as it is Offroad.
Done on dry pavement, fully loaded, every day - then yes, it will harm the driveline.

Your rear differential is a Torsen System read here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsen how it works.

TCS OFF is perfectly.
What isn't perfectly at all is driving DOWNHILL with the 4wd engaged, that will lock front and rear together with the result that your rear axle do over-braking, that is a very dangerous condition to lose totally control over the vehicle.
Especially on slippery surfaces. Never do that except one is a very skilled driver and knows perfectly what he's doing at that moment.

Thank you very much, I did have 4wd engaged going downhill on a road starting to ice over and did feel the rear kick over once. Thanks for the advice, that’s why I ask stupid questions.

Is it ok to engage and disengage 4wd multiple times on the fly as long as I’m driving under 50mph? Traffic was stop and go and would pick up speed in some parts. I’m really enjoying the truck but want to use it correctly.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes you can do the shift on the fly as often as you want to. No Problem it is built to do so.

If you want to go downhill, only engine braking 4Lo then this is also ok. Just 4wd and Service Brake can cause accidents.

Use 4Lo generally if you drive Low speed Offroad, even if it isn't necessary for pulling power.
It helps the transmission to keep cool because the torque converters load is 3 times lower that way, and you have more gears usable.

 

[SAP2018]

Yes you can do the shift on the fly as often as you want to. No Problem it is built to do so.

Thank you sir.

 

[TFucili]

Not to be a wise guy, but bear in mind it is shift on the fly as long as everything is turning at the same speed ie no spinning wheels, or speed differential.

 

[mwilson]

Not to be a wise guy, but bear in mind it is shift on the fly as long as everything is turning at the same speed ie no spinning wheels, or speed differential.

And if possible let off the throttle before performing the shift. I always make sure I'm coasting before selecting. I have performed shifts into and out of 4 High at speeds of 70 mph or higher with no issue. Let off, shift and then tromp back down on the go pedal....

This does not apply to 4 Low shifts just in case I need to say it....

 

[Jim W]

X2; on what Mike said. I have been driving 4X4's since the 70's. I have had both manual and electronic transfer cases. I was taught never to shift the transfer case under load, IE: under throttle load. Another point is if you feel the front end bucking when steering, shift out of 4 wheel drive into 2 wheel high. This way you will not load up the drive line from torsional loading.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

...Thanks for the advice, that’s why I ask stupid questions.

SAP2018,

The only "stupid" question is the question that is "NOT" asked. Help us all learn something and ask away. We like sharing our experiences and knowledge!

 

[Ozymandias]

The TC won't shift if any parameter is out of spec, even Gen3s are picky to fulfill a shift.

But yes, no throttle while shift is normal i think, even the Owners manual tells to do so.

 

[jhenderson]

The TC won't shift if any parameter is out of spec, even Gen3s are picky to fulfill a shift.

That’s probably the case with an electronically shift case but I can guarantee if you pull hard enough on a lever under power something bad is going to happen. And it’s usually while the rears are spinning

 

[Ozymandias]

That’s probably the case with an electronically shift case but I can guarantee if you pull hard enough on a lever under power something bad is going to happen. And it’s usually while the rears are spinning

Manual case is different yes, there are still a few around.

But if someone really tries to shift a manual TC while the rears are spinning, come on, that sound and feel is so horrible... and then insists to finish that shift... that one doesn't deserve it any better then a trashed TC.

By the way, if there is enough load on the gears one isn't beable to even shift to Neutral because of the construction of the Gears. A gear isnt hold in by the shift linkage, it is hold by the design of the gears itself.

 

[jhenderson]

I understand that. The fact is anybody who’s worked these trucks long enough has made the mistake of trying to engage the case with the rear spinning. With no traction, there’s no load on the drivetrain, and the lever moves quite easily.