hey i was driving home in the rain and i decided to stop at the fairgrounds on the way home and play in some 4wheel drive to cycle the fluids around. so i am playing around hitting puddles (slow) and making smooth turns across the gravel lot..(wishing i was wheelin, ever happen to you guys?!) i decided to put it in 4lo and see what happened since i had never used it. everything is groovy but when i make a turn it kinda catches and drags a bit (rear end). i also had the diff lock on (also testing that) and i am pretty sure it did it while it was off, could be wrong though..is this normal..tell me to stop whining and go hit some trails or something but it didnt seem right!

 

bump!

 

There was not enough slip on the gravel to allow the wheels to slip enough to relieve drivetrain binding.

 

Avoid using 4LO on hard ground if you can.

 

ok but is this normal and i was on asphalt when i noticed the drag/slip

 

yeah, what happened sounds VERY normal....rear locker on or off your gonna get that sorta stuff going on.

 

so i should only use 4lo when i ABSOLUTELY need it?

 

off road only, soft surfaces where you junk won't bind up. I honestly don't even use 4H on the pavement unless it's snow-covered.

aaron

 

ok thanks. i was just testing out the gears as i am new to the 4x4 world. thanks for being patient!! i use 4h when i am in the snow fields playing and when im trying to climb rocks around the fair ground.

 

Yeah, you can use 4wd on hard surfaces, but the more you make sharp turns with it engaged, the more stress you put on your U-Joints and CVs. Doing it occassionally is not harmful.

If you have lockers, it makes it even worse, it's called driveline windup.

 

the steeper rocks you'll want 4L...that way you can keep it S L O W


no worries man...i was you a couple years ago!

aaron

 

thanks jeff
this damn site is the SH@t!!!

 

Using 4 Low isn't bad at all, use it as much as you want. Just remember it's meant for low speeds and be god darn sure you have a soft surface beneath you (softer than gravel) or else you'll break things easily. Basically, just be smart...

 

i feel so loved!!

 

easy there....the love will turn green and all your cash will be DRAINED! HA HA HA!!!

a