4WD on hard surface?

OPGMC

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I have used 4-lo on this truck for towing and hard steep rock. Always at a crawl.
 

Kennyray

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I have used 4 lo for pulling bushes out, just so I wouldn't burn the clutch.
 

mr_bots

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It also depends on the type of transfer case. If you have a "4-auto" or "4-unlock" you can use it all the time. Ex.: mine is full-time 4WD so most of the time it's running around unlocked (front and rear drive shafts can spin at different speeds) and I can drive it however I want, if I put it in "sand/mud" or "4 low" it locks it at 50/50 (both drive shafts are forced to turn the same speed) and will bind the drive line if I try to turn on dry asphalt. A normal 2 speed transfer case (with only "4hi" and "4lo") though you shouldn't use it hardly at all on dry, high traction surfaces and never while turning. It binds up the drive line and to put it bluntly can fWONk shit up.
 
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RompRunner

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ya, the reason i was always told not to is because there is no chance for the tires to slip so when they all grab at the same speed is can cause some pretty nasty damage to your truck.
but i guess it should be fine driving straight at low speed?

i know you should never turn while in 4wd and on a hard surface.

Right on, well thanks for all the info guys.
if i get any cool pics of the truck climbin some pavement ill post them up
 

vansdonk

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My LR is 4HI at all times/ 4speed. But if I have the diffs locked in Hi, I cannot exceed 40 MPH on a slippery surface. If I'm in 4Lo, it's really amazing if you can push it about 40. If I have the diffs locked, cannot exceed 40 MPH. This allows for each tire to adjust itself for better traction. I almost never need to lock the diffs cause of all the other electo stuff it will incorporate. Also, it it is kicking in the TC to much, lockers will automatically engage until I press the button. Don't know about other not all time 4hi trucks.
 

Cowboy Cadillac

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As a person who uses 4WD offroad lots....Putting a truck into 4wd...hi/lo and trying to drive for long distances/high speeds will wear out components. Most vehicles expect some slip when in 4wd, in a vehicle with open diffs not as big a deal, but if you are running lockers or spools front and rear it becomes more of an issue. Most transfer cases are also chain driven and excessive driving in 4WD on hard/paved sufaces or hard acceleration can/will stretch the chain which leads to no 4x4 when you really might need it.(been there).

Something else I've noticed is a lot of vehicles(newer mostly) dont match front and rear gear ratios. EX: rear 4:10 front 4:09 this is fine if there is some slippage of the tire but if no slipage is occuring wear faster.
 
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DV2000NJ

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I've been up to 104-105mph in 4hi on pavement MANY times with no issues. :D Just don't try to turn, when the front and rear wheels try to turn at different speeds, that's when things bind. Nothing wrong with going straight.

See video:
[YT]SyeEGCvZZDw[/YT]
 

vansdonk

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I wish I had a factory option of taking it out of 4Hi. 8 MPG sucks. But on trails I can get about 17 or so.
 

bobkyle2

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Hardest part of being in 4wd on any hard surface is turning.... then you have front and rear fighting each other.. and you also have the left and right fighting each other

On some dirt drags ive raced If its a long and we use 4high... halfway down the track i would kick it out of 4wd...because it would slide into 2wd..... If it was a short track we had to run 4low... You had to leave it in through the full track.. my 208 transfer didnt have 2low

If you have lock outs... and you use 4low (just for the gearing) leave your lockout on free and you can run as fast as you would like (considering the locksouts work)
 

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