How to exercise 4WD with no dirt roads around

jup u can explore those fire breaks too, with my GARMIN gps has most of the unpaved roads loaded so I couldn't get lost only stuck maybe. or like I suggested u can get a free basic road map at Batsto, that's a good place to start coming from the Philly area.

 

sorry to drag up several pages back but driveline binding is what I believe I was experience when I was parking in 4wd this morning. What do you do? Switch to 2WD and park?(what I did) but it still didn't feel like it released well

 

What kind of surface were you parking on? If pavement, then yes, disengage always. If dirt, gravel, snow, etc., you will feel some bind, but it's not a issue.

If you are exercising the 4wd system on dry pavement , engage and disengage on straight sections only. No corners while engaged.

 

pavement yes, thank you! (my first 4wd, only had allwheel previously)

 

Why were you in 4wd on the pavement?

 

You're welcome.

It won't hurt it if it happens once in a while. Folks forget to go back to 2Hi when coming off of trails.

 

I just did that a few days ago, came out of the trails and went about 3 miles up the road before I realized it was still in 4 wheel drive, lol.

 

Ha! Same here.

The driveline seems strong and the CVs seem to be the weak point, but I am certainly going for longevity. I am enjoying this little beast.

 

didn't realize that was a no no. Assuming it's okay in snow though right?

 

Yes, snow, ice, any loose surface.

 

I drove my '04 Duramax extremely hard in 4hi for over 5 years and never had a single issue. That includes frequent 10+psi boosted launches with a built front end. I wonder if some people just over react about driving in 4hi on pavement.

 

I'm only speaking for your boosted launches: that wouldn't be an issue for the 4wd, since its in a straight line. The problem is turning on pavement in 4wd.

 

I hot lapped it at the track and left it in 4hi so I was turning all over the place to get back to the line. The truck took everything I threw at it! I do miss 500whp.

 

You don’t need unpaved roads just kick it in 4H on a straight paved road.

 

Just engage 4wd in the rain.

 

You can do anything that you want in a straight line. Turning on pavement adds stress to the CVs, U joints, and T case. If the Taco is not being kept for the long run, it's not a big deal except to the next owner. Things are not going to grenade as Nick saw in the parking lot and most of us will see when we accidentally forget. Doing this all the time over the years will add up.

 

Truth is you could easily drive the truck in 4Hi on pavement all day everyday and it probably wouldn't break for many tens of thousands of miles, if ever. You'd ruin the tires before you broke anything mechanical. None the less it's not a good idea. Unnecessary stress on components.

 

thanks everyone, it was a bit unsettling to say the least. I was highway driving in the rain so I had 4WD as a precaution

 

lol, appreciate the caution, but you don't need 4wd for rain. Just don't drive like its dry, and make sure your tires aren't worn down, and your fine. Most vehicles on the road are not 4wd and drive in rain all the time!

 

Wet roads during rain for 5 miles every few weeks is next best thing.