4WD in rain OK?!?

Hello guys .. I have read, and know the rules for using 4wd (ie, do not use it on dry pavement due to binding, try to use it for 10 miles a month to keep it lubricated, dont try to switch it into 4WD on the fly above 62mph, ect).

My questions is, is driving in 4WD in the rain, or on wet road OK? Basically my concern is that the wet road wont allow the wheels to "slip" and I would have a binding issue.

I dont have any off road trails or the likes to drive in 4WD near me, it snows, but only in the winter, and I think it makes perfect sense to try and use it once in a while to keep thinks in working order and well lubricated.

What do you guys think? Thanks

 

Wet = slip

I use mine if it's raining real hard..puddling on the side. Other than that no, not if just wet road.

 

I wouldn't for more than a few hundred feet, and no turns that cause binding.

I know the front diffy and drive shaft turns, and therefore part of transfer case at least, since it's coupled to one wheel all the time. I think someone mentioned the oil pump for the TC works even when 4x4 isn't engaged. I just don't see the point in operating it for long... really only in and right back out basically to make sure the actuators are functioning normally.

Lastly: our 4x4 system is not designed for continuous operation, and especially not high-speed operation (which in this context is anything over 25mph) on paved roads. Using it like that wears components at a prodigious rate, and there's just no reason to. It's designed to be engaged, truck through a hazard, and disengage.

 

No way. I wouldn't flip the switch on wet roads. If I'm going from snow/mud to dry dirt/pavement I get enough momentum and turn it off before I get on the asphalt/dirt. IMO there's no reason to use it unless absolutely necessary

 

I am not saying I need to use the 4WD, just trying to determine is the wet roads would provide enough slip to keep the drive train from binding.

 

There must be a dirt or unpaved road somewhere near by to go thru the motions. I would wait until you find a dirt road to play 4x4

 

i wouldnt use it on wet roads.

 

The closest one that I know of is about 30 minutes away, and its just a big dirt lot, nothing special. Seems a bit extreme just to throw it into 4wd. Maybe I will just drive some very straight lines to lube everything up.

 

If we get a hard rain while I'm towing the boat (straight/hwy not over 60mph), I will throw it into 4x4.... Always done this, gives me a little peace of mind, and its never give me a problem.

 

4wd in rain is unecessary , but less likely to bind up than dry pavement

 

If it's a hard rain with large puddles I use it as well. There will be some slippage there just based on how light the ass end of the truck is. I have never had an issue, never had any binding. For light rains no, just wet roads no, but heavy rains with puddles.

 

Not sure the rear is of any concern due to the open differential .. the front would be the concern correct? (Due to it not being an open diff)

 

If you're getting traction.... you don't need 4WD, and if you use it, you risk binding.

If you are not getting traction, the drivetrain cannot bind... go for it.

 

I didnt "need" it, I just wanted to use it to keep all the gears lubed, and was looking for the best opportunity to use it without risking binding.

When everyone talks about "not turning" while in 4wd, do you mean like 90 degree turns, or even slight lane changes?

 

The front is an open differential.

 

The binding issues occur at the transfer case, due to differences in the front and rear. An AWD transfer case is a limited slip or viscous coupling, acting like a differential between the front and rear, but the transfer case in a 4wd would be analogous to a spool...no slipage, and so if the front is turning more or less than the rear you can run into problems on dry pavement (or really any surface with a decent amount of traction).

 

ah 4wd i nthe rain not a problem as long as road is nice and wet. Yeah dont do 90 degree turns on pavement with 4x4 . Llight S curves will not be a issue.

BTW to keep lubricated you dont need to make full 10 miles. All you need is to switch system on and off couple times so all the forks move from their normal positions for oil to get there.

 

what i found that works. if i am at a stop sign thats on a hill or at the wal mart i go to you have to turn up hill as you pull on to the road. when it’s raining or the road is really wet i shift it to L or 2. and i don’t spin the tires. now if i just leave it in “D” it dose.

 

/\ /\ What he said, think of runners running around a track, the inside lane (front tires) have less distance to travel around a turn. But all tires are being forced to travel the same amount. This will cause everything in the system to bind, and will likely result in a CLUNK when you disengage. If you are driving straight you will not have this problem.

 

makes sense guys .. thanks for the help and clarification