Question about using the 4WD...

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · June 20, 2017

In my '88 Bronco had to back up 10 feet after going from 4 to 2 in order to disengage the hubs and stop the front wheels from turning the front drive shaft.

I don't think you ever had to in a GM at least. When I was in HS I had a buddy with a similar truck as me (both '86 Chevys), but his was 4x4 and even had auto locking hubs and he didn't have to. If you had to in a GM it was back in the 70s or older, but I still doubt it.

The only thing in a GM I can think of where you could back up to engage (not disengage) was a G80 rear end to lock into posi.

sdeeter19555 · June 21, 2017

The 80s GM products with the D44 or Corp 10-bolt front axles and auto hubs usually needed to at least be stopped or backed up to allow the automatic engagement hubs to disengage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

SilveradoX2 · June 21, 2017

Manual says to NOT dirve in 4WD on dry pavement or damage may occur...

How is this so?

New to 4WD and trying to learn...

I inadvertently drove our 1500 in 4WD Hi for about 120 miles down Interstate 17 at freeway speeds to home. Didn't realize until I pulled into the driveway and got the tire slip. That was several years ago. No known issues, no noises, used 4WD several times since and worked flawlessly. But I certainly don't say it's OK to do that. Don't know if the NHT package gives you a HD transfer gear box.

But I think we sometimes don't give the Siverado's enough credit for toughness. My 2500HD now has over 198,000 miles, the 1500 is almost 90,000. Except for parts that normally wear out, no major issues with either vehicle. I'm currently shopping for a 2017 1500 with a 6.2, Max Trailering combo. Silverado's for life.

Enjoy your truck.

Silver16 · June 21, 2017

From the manual for 4X4 auto

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9159338) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15In Brief 23Automatic Transfer CaseThis transfer case knob is to the leftof the steering column.The different drive options that maybe available are described following.2m(Two-Wheel Drive High) :Thissetting is used for driving in moststreet and highway situations.AUTO (Automatic Four-WheelDrive) :This setting is ideal for usewhen road surface tractionconditions are variable.Do not use AUTO mode to park ona steep grade with poor tractionsuch as ice, snow, mud or gravel. InAUTO mode only the rear wheelswill hold the vehicle from slidingwhen parked. If parking on a steepgrade, use 4mto keep all fourwheels engaged.4m(Four-Wheel Drive High) :Usethis setting when extra traction isneeded, such as on snowy or icyroads or in most off-road situations.N (Neutral) :Shift to this settingonly when towing the vehicle. SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing0441orTrailer Towing0325.4n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) :Thissetting sends maximum power to allfour wheels. Choose 4nwhendriving in deep sand, mud, or snow,and while climbing or descendingsteep hills.SeeFour-Wheel Drive0292.

Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9159338) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15292 Driving and OperatingShift Speeds{WarningIf you skip a gear whendownshifting, you could losecontrol of the vehicle. You couldinjure yourself or others. Do notshift down more than one gear ata time when downshifting.Drive SystemsFour-Wheel DriveIf equipped, four-wheel driveengages the front axle for extratraction. Read the appropriatesection for transfer case operationbefore using.CautionDo not drive on clean, drypavement in 4mand 4n(ifequipped) for an extended periodof time. These conditions maycause premature wear on thevehicle’s powertrain.Driving on clean, dry pavement infour-wheel drive may:.Cause a vibration to be felt inthe steering system..Cause tires to wear faster..Make the transfer case harder toshift, and cause it to run noisier.{WarningShifting the transfer case toN (Neutral) can cause the vehicleto roll even if the transmission isin P (Park). You or someone elsecould be seriously injured. Besure to set the parking brakebefore placing the transfer case inN (Neutral). SeeParking Brake0301.CautionExtended high-speed operation in4nmay damage or shorten thelife of the drivetrain.Engagement noise and bump whenshifting between 4nand 4mor fromN (Neutral), with the engine running,is normal.Shifting into 4nwill turn TractionControl and StabiliTrak®off. SeeTraction Control/Electronic StabilityControl0303.

Silver16 · June 21, 2017

I inadvertently drove our 1500 in 4WD Hi for about 120 miles down Interstate 17 at freeway speeds to home. Didn't realize until I pulled into the driveway and got the tire slip. That was several years ago. No known issues, no noises, used 4WD several times since and worked flawlessly. But I certainly don't say it's OK to do that. Don't know if the NHT package gives you a HD transfer gear box.

But I think we sometimes don't give the Siverado's enough credit for toughness. My 2500HD now has over 198,000 miles, the 1500 is almost 90,000. Except for parts that normally wear out, no major issues with either vehicle. I'm currently shopping for a 2017 1500 with a 6.2, Max Trailering combo. Silverado's for life.

Enjoy your truck.

We had F250SDs in the Navy. Drove one from Ft Caffee to Coronado with hubs locked. Not a single issue. Went out and bought one and got 230k outta it.

revrnd · June 21, 2017

The 80s GM products with the D44 or Corp 10-bolt front axles and auto hubs usually needed to at least be stopped or backed up to allow the automatic engagement hubs to disengage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

My '82 (1st year w/ the NP208?) had the NP208 & 'automatic' hubs. Shift into 2 Hi & back up 10' & the hubs unlocked.

Before that the General used the NP203 (fulltime 4WD) in AT equipped pickups & K5s. Manual trans' trucks & K5s had NP205 cases & manual locking hubs.

MotionMan · June 22, 2017

I sure wish they could come up with a hub we could unlock. I bet I could get 15 MPG or better in my 2500. Not to mention the wear and tear on the whole system.

Big Whiskey · June 22, 2017

I don't think you ever had to in a GM at least. When I was in HS I had a buddy with a similar truck as me (both '86 Chevys), but his was 4x4 and even had auto locking hubs and he didn't have to. If you had to in a GM it was back in the 70s or older, but I still doubt it.

The only thing in a GM I can think of where you could back up to engage (not disengage) was a G80 rear end to lock into posi.

I drove multiple 4x4 GM trucks in the mid-late 1980's. If they had the factory automatic locking hubs, they had to be backed up a few feet to disengage the 4wd. You could even hear them unlock when it happened. When we switched to Warn manual-locking hubs, it wasn't necessary.

The 80s GM products with the D44 or Corp 10-bolt front axles and auto hubs usually needed to at least be stopped or backed up to allow the automatic engagement hubs to disengage.

Yep! That was my experience too, until we switched to manual locking hubs!

My '82 (1st year w/ the NP208?) had the NP208 & 'automatic' hubs. Shift into 2 Hi & back up 10' & the hubs unlocked.

Before that the General used the NP203 (fulltime 4WD) in AT equipped pickups & K5s. Manual trans' trucks & K5s had NP205 cases & manual locking hubs.

That's correct! You know your older GM's!

We had F250SDs in the Navy. Drove one from Ft Caffee to Coronado with hubs locked. Not a single issue. Went out and bought one and got 230k outta it.

Super Duty trucks are tough.....but just because the hubs were locked, doesn't mean that 4wd was engaged. I know lots of guys with manual hubs, and they drive with their hubs engaged all winter, so they don't have to exit the vehicle every time it snows, haha.

revrnd · June 22, 2017

I sure wish they could come up with a hub we could unlock. I bet I could get 15 MPG or better in my 2500. Not to mention the wear and tear on the whole system.

There are kits for JK Jeeps. Fairly expensive & from what I understand, not much of a mileage improvement.

sdeeter19555 · June 22, 2017

I sure wish they could come up with a hub we could unlock. I bet I could get 15 MPG or better in my 2500. Not to mention the wear and tear on the whole system.

Dynatrac...had this on my Dodge 2500. Marked improvement in mileage as they have no axle disconnect and suffered 70mph vibrations from harmonic resonance.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

kstruckcountry · June 22, 2017

When in 2wd, all that's turning is a couple CV shafts. If the truck is sitting at stock height they provide a lot less resistance than air hitting a solid axle with manual hubs.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk