As I'm new to the yota scene... I imagine that you would only switch to low when it looks like the trail requires it, or if you need to drive slow and precise. Just curious when you all switch into low. I guess the same question would apply to when to lock the center (or rear/front if you have them) diff. I guess you could wait until you're stuck, but then isn't it too late? Heh heh.

 

if i am in 4wd, i am in 4LO. if i need 4wd, i need to be going slow enough to 4lo. i leave it in 2wd as long as i can. the nice thing wiht 4lo is you can use all 5 gears and still only be going 25 mph

 

Exactly, 4hi never sees any use in my trail rig. If I need 4wd, I need 4lo.
The only time I use 4hi is when I am driving on the road in snow or something and want 4wd for control, but don't want to go as slow as 4lo.

 

I agree, if I'm out 4wheeling I usually put it in 4lo unless I just want some extra traction to be safe, such as on a flat, muddy road. If I know I'm going to be needed some power, I leave it in lo. These little engines don't have a lot of horsepower so when you have it in 4hi, and you start to get stuck or climb a hill, you might run out of power.

 

4 Lo when you drive on the curb at the grocery store!

 

I usually try to go as far as I can in 2wd. If I'm slipping, I press the magic button to the left of my steering wheel. If that's still not doing the trick, into 4wd she goes. (Usually 4 hi, since I like being able to shift in and out of 4hi while still moving.) If I really need the traction, or I think I need to be in 4lo, that's when I'll shift into 4lo.

 

i normally use 4lo everytime i go out, no need to go fast while your wheeling normally...

 

Yeah, normally, but out here in the desert, there are periodically situations that if you can keep up your speed but have the traction of 4wd, it is a good thing...

 

when running trails and low speed stuff im in 4low. (im known to shift to 4low, unlocked hubs for backing up trailers and other low speed stuff were i dont want to be constantly slipping the clutch etc)

For snowy/icy roads, 4hi

otherwise its 2hi

 

See, I figure, the "go as far as you can in 2wd" thing only abuses the truck, because you are going to end up bouncing the front end over things that you could have climbed over in 4wd before you finally give in and use 4wd, or if there is a puddle or something, you might be tempted to just go for it, why not have the security of 4hi. Plus you are keeping all the components well lubed by driving in 4wd, which is recommended by the service manual, haha. If I know a trail is not bad enough for 4 lo, I will probably go for 4hi just for the added traction even if I don't need it, of course, now that I am locked in the front, this might change, it might be more of a 2wd until I need 4, then 4lo because steering is more difficult with the locked front end.

 

That's more what I was saying... It's not like I stay in 2wd untill I slide off the edge, roll a few times, and then put it in 4lo to climb out of the ravine I just rolled into... What I mean by staying in 2wd is that I don't panic and throw it into 4lo everytime there's a large rock in the trail. Usually, the locker gets me pretty far anyway. Man, I love lockers! One of these days I would love to get a front one, too. But I have yet to push my truck (or my skills) to the point of justifying one. But anyway, yeah, that's what I meant.

 

4 lo if I need to be in 4 wheel drive. My rig is too tall to go fast, it will haul a$$, but it's spooky.

 

what's 4hi?

 

The only time I use 4hi is on the beach

 

I usualy only use 4low when climbing a steep hill or after i get stuck. Momentum is my best friend.

 

When do I use 4LO ?

every weekend

 

in my 93 pickup i used 4lo at a mud bog and 3rd-4th gear and a heavy right foot = not getting stuck and showing every one you dont need 35s to have fun

 

The only time i use 4hi is when Im at the soccer field at school cutting some sweet doughnuts just lettin physics do its thang..