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4x4 Low

fbachman

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fbachman Senior Enthusiast

fbachman

Posted
Posted

Just curious. Not a big off-roader at all. Have 4x4.

 

During recent snow storm, streets were like a glazed donut. Just to play and learn, put it in 4x4-Low briefly... all worked well. Drove a few hundred feet just to see how it felt/reacted, etc.. Definitely a torque monster in that mode.

 

Now: from an inexperienced guy wanting to learn: what, or when, exactly, would you use this and for what? When would I want to put it in 4x4 low?

 

Sorry if this sounds dumb, but, I just really don't know, and would like to hear from folks that are experienced in this sort of thing.

 

Just trying to expand my horizons a little. :thumbs:

hockeypro1411 Senior Enthusiast

hockeypro1411

Posted
Posted

I wouldn't use 4Lo on-road ever. If you're on the road at all, 4Hi. The only exception to that being if say your buddy got himself stuck in a ditch that was 5 feet deep with snow and the intersection was covered in a half inch of ice. You may want the torque. I know I did. Off-road most guys still don't see a need for 4Lo, again, unless for recovery in a sticky situation.

L29er Senior Enthusiast

L29er

Posted
Posted

I`ll only use it for the extra torque like you say, maybe to pull out a really stuck, or larger than me vehicle. other than that it can be hard on components because of that extra power.

hockeypro1411 Senior Enthusiast

hockeypro1411

Posted
Posted
I`ll only use it for the extra torque like you say, maybe to pull out a really stuck, or larger than me vehicle. other than that it can be hard on components because of that extra power.

 

Ever use it to pull a stump? :thumbs:

 

Sorry it's early and I'm bored out of my mind.

ryan_hermanutz Senior Enthusiast

ryan_hermanutz

Posted
Posted

Good question Frank. I won't take credit for this I heard this many years ago. You get yourself in trouble with 4HI, but you get your self out with 4LO. Basically the only time you really need 4LO is when you need to go up or down steep hills, boat ramps, or if you’re on rough terrain and need to keep your speed low because of the obstacles.

Spurshot Senior Enthusiast

Spurshot

Posted
Posted

Hello Frank. I see you're in SW Ohio. Dayton/Wright-Patt? I was born at Wright-Patt and now live in SoCal, working for Boeing as an engineer liason to the FAA and manage certification of major change projects. I'm not an aero, but have a good friend that is.

 

I use my 3/4 ton in 4 Lo during the hunting season, when on some steep and slippery backroads. It helps prevent runaway tire slippage. That is; the slippage of the tires is more easily controlled. It also helps for going down steep grades. I probably put my truck in 4Lo about 3-4 times a yr.

cfeiring Enthusiast

cfeiring

Posted
Posted
Just curious. Not a big off-roader at all. Have 4x4.

 

During recent snow storm, streets were like a glazed donut. Just to play and learn, put it in 4x4-Low briefly... all worked well. Drove a few hundred feet just to see how it felt/reacted, etc.. Definitely a torque monster in that mode.

 

Now: from an inexperienced guy wanting to learn: what, or when, exactly, would you use this and for what? When would I want to put it in 4x4 low?

 

Sorry if this sounds dumb, but, I just really don't know, and would like to hear from folks that are experienced in this sort of thing.

 

Just trying to expand my horizons a little. :thumbs:

 

First of all no questions are stupid just results from not asking questions are; this is the place to ask and learn. Myself I have asked many questions and now gladly return the favor.

 

1 4x4 Low is for low speed will generally not go above 2nd gear.

2 4x4 Low is for maximum amt of torque/power being applied to the wheels

When to use : slick surfaces where wheel speed just spins the tires and is not desired. Slow and steady wins the race.

example high drag / low friction surfaces -aka mud, snow - lots of drag but poor friction for the tires to grab (try walking in deep mud/snow you will notice the high drag / low friction - takes a lot of strength to walk and is very slick at the same time.

3 4x4 Low is usually designed to be used on a short term basis and is very fuel wasteful if economy is a concern

 

4x4 high is used where added traction is desired over the traction of the full time 2wd system and is designed for higher speeds but lower amt of torque / power to wheels is delivered when compared to 4x4 low and 2wd. And 4wd high - torque/power is just evenly(generally but not always) split to all 4 wheels that was just being sent to the primary drive axle while in 2wd, in 4wd power is now being split to the part time drive axle as well.

 

1 when to use loss of traction in 2wd such as light snow, lightly wet areas of grass/ light amt of mud/ steep hills by spreading out the the application of power to all 4 reduces the tendency to spin and all wheels are providing power to move. If you break traction in 2wd try 4x4 high first to see if that gains the needed traction needed.

2 4x4 high is usually designed to be used on a longer term basis than 4x4 low and less wasteful on fuel when compared to 4x4 low (2wd usually the most economical setting) and most systems can driven at or close to freeway speeds in 4x4 high(not usually recommended)

3 most part time 4x4 systems are not designed to be used all the time and not on dry / hard surfaces due to the wear and tear on the drive train. Now full time 4x4 systems aka AWD are designed generally with some form of differential system between front and back ends of the drive train to allow for various rates of rpm vs the part time systems generally do not have that design feature.

 

:lol::lol: Please do take this into account I am not a auto mechanic/engineer; I fix broken people and computers that is my area of expertise. Therefore I am not an expert just well experienced at teaching various subjects and the above statements are not meant to be complete and encompassing but more the "readers digest/cliff notes" of the highlights of what you needed to know.

 

I hope this provides the info that you were seeking and I'm sure others will provide more and complete info.

bubba33 Enthusiast

bubba33

Posted
Posted

Its good for power when you need it and going up and down steep hills. You don't get any more traction than useing 4 hi. :cheers:

L29er Senior Enthusiast

L29er

Posted
Posted
Ever use it to pull a stump? :D

 

Sorry it's early and I'm bored out of my mind.

 

 

HEHE, nope.... its sad yes, :cheers: but maybe i should! take a pic and make a new more "fitting" sig. :P

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

4 Low is great for off roading. In really rough or steep terrain it is great at very low speeds... generally in 1st gear.

DBVille Enthusiast

DBVille

Posted
Posted

You can use 4Hi or 4Lo anytime the surface is slippery enough - dirt, snow, ice. You only need it when you want to control wheel spin better (less wheel speed because of the lower gearing), need power, or, my favorite, are descending steep, dirt, roads, and don't want to ride the brakes for 5 miles.

 

I use it so I can better control the vehicle speed, which varies between 5 and 40 mph on the roads I use it on. Steep, dowhhill sections are not easily controlled in 4Hi, with out a lot of use of the brakes. I used it two weekends ago coming down the ice covered hill with chains on, so I was less likely to need to brake heavily and slide one of the front wheels (w/o chains).

 

For virtually any snow use, I can't imagine it for power, only for engine braking. I don't now what the manual says, but I run mine up to 40-50 mph in 4Lo, without any problems. Note that the engine is spinning a lot faster.

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