One Last 4x4 Question....

So, the 10 miles a month in 4x4...
I keep reading not to do it on pavement, because of binding. Makes sense. BUT, this is the heart of my question, if you're on a more or less straight road (slight curves, like on an interstate for instance), would this be an acceptable surface to get your 10 miles in 4-High? Thanks. I'm trying to not kill my truck due to ignorance. My truck thanks you as well.

 

If you turn it on and hear clunking and clattering, just turn it off. No harm no foul. If you don't hear it clunking or clattering, then it's all good.

However the whole 10 miles a month thing isn't really necessary.

 

If no major curves, and a moderate speed, that would be fine. The owner's manual will tell you the recommended max speed to run in 4HI.

 

Also there's no speed limit to drive while in 4WD. There's a speed limit to switching from 2-4wd. Once you're in 4wd, you can go as fast as you want.

 

Thanks. My town's laid out like a grid so I think I'm good to go on the straightaways.

 

Truth, I've done highway speeds in 4H with no problems at all. That said, if you can do highway speeds, you do not need to be in 4H.

 

x2.

 

YOu will hear the tires skipping & dragging before you hear driveline bind, just keep an ear out. All will be fine.

Or, you know, use it as an excuse to tear up your douchebag neighbors yard.

 

Lol there's a field around my house that's government property... right next to a sheriff's substation though The urge to write "taxation is theft" with my tread marks was intense.

 

Can I condone, without legal obligation?

 

Do this instead: when stopped cycle through 2HI/4HI/4LO positions a few a few times a month. The majority of the the issues with 4x4 actuation come from the electric motors and shift forks seizing due to lack of use / movement.

 

Makes sense. I guess you'd also want to get the front driveshafts rotating (by driving) though, right?

 

Unless your driving the Coquihalla hwy in BC and its in crap condition, snow and ice and you want to do 80 to 100 km/h. If you try to switch into 4H at too fast a speed it won't let you and will beep at you. 2wd on that highway isn't a great option at times.

 

That's literally one of the only places I've done it... right before going down Zopkios hill, by the semi brakecheck. Fuckin' truck mounted snowblower scared the shit out of me coming around a corner, very happy to be in 4H right there.

 

for sure! I don't want to speed but 60 to 100 km/h is doable with good tires.
I find I get better traction in the snow instead of driving the same icy path the cars are using.

 

With the featherweight rear-end in these trucks, its nice to have better directional control on snowpack. Agreed.

 

Kinda, the point of the 10miles a month is to exercise the motors and shift forks.
You can't find a gravel driveway or stretch of gravel road to do this?
Remember that with the weight over the front axle, (motor, trans) makes the front tires smaller than the rear tires, unless you go thru the hassle of figuring out air pressures to make the front the same size as the rear, (which is almost impossible) there will be binding in 4wd as the transfer case locks the front and rear axles together meaning all 4 tires must turn the same on any surface, dry pavement is the worst, not a bad thing but not good either as most will tell you going straight is ok, I wouldn't do but that's the way I was brought up, (never use 4wd on dry pavement), EVER!

 

10 miles a month isn't necessary. I've been driving 4X4's since the 1970's. I find myself on a gravel or dirt road at least once a month and shift into 4X4 for a mile or 2. I don't get into lo range quite as often, but do so when possible. I've never had an issue with a vehicle I drove. We had a 1991 Cherokee that my wife drove that didn't get used in 4X4 very often and needed some work done after a time. The grease in the axle hubs had hardened and would not allow the hubs to lock. Just needed to take it apart, clean and re-grease.

I'd STRONGLY advise against using 4X4 on pavement. You can get away with it for short distances occasionally if you stay in a straight line. I'm talking about back and forth in the driveway for a few feet, not 10 miles on pavement. Trust me on this, if you drive in 4X4 on a dry hard surface, even off road, you will stress internal parts. They most likely won't break right away. But you are doing damage that will shorten the life of components.

 

Gotcha. Like y'all are saying, I'm trying to avoid any damage. My problem is that even many of the dirt roads around here are packed down really well. I live in florida, so it's mainly limestone, hard packed sand (that practically turns back into rocks because of the geology down here lol), and roads with loose pebbles (I'm guessing that'd be my best option?). Our town is getting pretty developed so it's hard to find open areas where you can legally 4x4. Thanks for all the help so far though. It's been enlightening.

 

Your tires will skip/slip/chatter before damage is done, if you did it for a short while then took it off if you heard anything, no harm done.