Not used to 4x4

What jeep was it?

I'll bet it didn't have CV axles....

 

That's the problem.... Obviously, the dealerships aren't explaining to these people what their vehicle has and how to use it. Tacomas have part-time 4WD. Majorly HUGE difference between the AWD systems or fulltime systems.

People need to read their manuals also.

 

it was a JEEP Jeep. a wrangler. it had locked Dana's (a 30 and a 35, neither let me down) and It had spicer 760x U-joints. which are pretty damn bullet proof when driven sanely.

 

It's not a matter of stuff holding up. That force has to go somewhere.

On pavement, my 77 CJ at full lock in 4 low would not budge. If I gave it a lot of gas, I could get the tires to give but not too much before smoking my 3 speed.

 

you mean while turning right? locked my turning radius was probably over 100 feet. easily. and the steering wheel was incredibly hard to turn... but still. I drove it through a Rite aid parking lot for about 600 feet, with a few good turns. it chirped and squealed the tires like a monster, (even though I was going so slow it didnt register on the speedo) but nothing made of metal ever groaned!

 

The manual says to have the 4 wheel drive engaged for ten miles a month. I'm not offroading every weekend and it doesn't snow here. I'll usually just find a long straight road and engage it for a bit. I'm assuming there's no problem doing that right? It's just turning on pavement that could lead to issues?

 

Keep it straight(ish) and you'll be fine.

 

I've never really understood why the front wheels are not connected by an open differential when they're being driven. I mean, we can use front wheel drive vehicles on pavement...how is the 4wd system constructed differently?

BTW, it is "...for all intents and purposes...".

 

DO NOT force the steering wheel when it gets hard to turn. You're putting extreme pressure on the CV axles. They can blow out on ya....I've seen it happen several times while on the trails.

Making and forcing tight turns while in 4WD is a bad idea.

 

Ok, Newbie 4x4 owner here.. never had one before. Are you saying that the Front Wheels are locked together whenever you are in Four Wheel High, or low? Something doesn't sound right about that...

-Sam

 

Both front & rear differentials are OPEN (unless you have a mechanical LSD).

An OPEN differential can compensate for the differences between inside/outside wheels during turns. Most of the driveline bind in 4WD on pavement occurs in the CV axles on the tacomas. The other issue is the differences between front to back differences - which can bind up the transfer case.

That's why AWD and fulltime 4WD vehicles have special center differentials and special diffs. They do not have transfer cases.

 

No.... They are not locked unless you have a LOCKER. Trucks from factory do not have a locker in the front.

In 2WD - the front wheels are not getting any drive power from the transfer case.

In 4WD - the front wheels are getting power from the transfer case. The front diff is an OPEN diff similar to the rear (with an OPEN diff).

 

So it is a CV bind when cutting the wheel too hard while turning under power.. nothing to do with the front differential..

 

yes

 

This is what AWD cars have. Which addresses this situation. It's open - front back and center.

Think of a 2wd truck with a locker in the back. Try to turn full lock and you will bind the rear end differential. Think of true 4x4 as the same thing but locking the front driveshaft and rear drive shaft with a common input. The open diff will let each opposite side wheel spin at a different rate if there is proper slippage between the tire and the ground even if the truck in locked in 4x4.

 

Ahhhhhhhh, Ok. I confess, I tried it on pavement before i BOUGHT it.. wasn't going to buy it if I can't operate it. with the rear locker on, it did make some unfriendly noises while turning. I have driven a few times at distance with it in 4h, because the manual calls you to do it once every month. It's a lot easier to remember to use it on the last day or first day of the months on the way to work.. so I do. No noises, or bind. I do feel the Front grabbing the road when I am turning though.

When I asked the salesguy how to use it, he laughed and said I probably knew more than he did. He was right...

can't wait for a REAL situation where I need it.. on to the BEACH! Speaking of which, I am headed there this weekend, can you give me any suggestions NOT to look like a newbie with 4x4? I will be there with some Jeeps... Should I leave it in 4h, 4l, diff lock? I really am uncertain what is the norm. (I have read the book.. "ONLY USE READ DIFF LOCK TO GET UN-STUCK")

Thanks,
Sam the 4x4 Newbie

 

deflate your tires and keep it in 4hi, take it easy on the gas just cruise you should be fine. i normally only use 4lo if im climbing hills, or trying to get someone else un-stuck.

 

what do I use to make it jump the sand bars? j/j Thanks!

 

balls