I have an 89 pickup, standard trans v6 4x4. Can someone please tell me what dashboard lights these suckers have and the 1 2 3 for 4x4? Sorry for the dumb question

 

Like warning lights or illumination bulbs? Also not sure what you mean by 1 2 3 for 4x4.

 

There are T10 bulbs for illumination, directional & low fuel (if it's an SR5) & T5 bulbs for warning lights along the bottom.

 

Off-Roading 101...
LED bars before armor and locking diffs

 

don't confuse the new guys lol

 

I assume you mean how to engage the 4wd? come to a stop, put in neutral, shift the tcase into hi, or low if you need a reduction gear, make sure the hubs are locked in if they are manual, put the tranny back in gear and let 'er eat.

 

Well poop I did that wrong!

 

I can't speak to the 89 V6, but I've shifted in and out of 4 HI while moving. Like out doing some desert 4 wheeling around Yuma, get myself off the road, lock the hubs in, and go until I start loosing traction, then shift into neutral, slap it into 4 HI back into gear and away I go. Just do the reverse coming out.

4 LOW is a totally different story, yes. I am always stopped for that.

I do the same now that I'm in Oregon, but in snow. Lock the hubs, go until I start to the ice skating, then put her in neutral, 4 HI, back into gear, and keep going the speed I was before. Same if I come to a dry section of road. Neutral, take it out of 4 HI and back into gear. Even on the highway.

Hope I'm not destroying my truck, but heck, I've been doing it this way for 30 some years now. Probably just been lucky so far...
Pat☺

 

I believe there is a safe speed limit to shift into high range. but if someone is asking how to use 4wd I recommend they not be moving lol when they figure it out. I had an 88 with the auto tranny and I shifted into high while moving pretty frequently on snowy roads if I had the hubs locked already.

 

+1 on speed limit when shifting.
What the maker of the most reliable trucks in the world says right on the dash.

 

Right. Absolutely from anything into or out of 4 Low, I always stop. No question.
As for into/out of 4 Hi, I haven't hany trouble, me personally, mind you, shifting into 4 Hi or back to 2 Hi while moving. I think the fastest I've done it reliably has been about 45 MPH, both ways. That's me personally, in MY truck, again.
If I've been wrong doing that wrong all this time, though, please, positively, tell me. I am far from being a pro at 4 wheelin'!

Thanks in advance for your advice. I want to keep my trucks going another 30 years
Pat☺