With some 4WD trucks I've had in the past, after switching back to 2WD, you had to drive in reverse a short distance to unlock the automatic hubs. Do you have to do that with a 2001 Dakota?

 

Assuming its the same as my 2003 Dakota, No.
Just flip it between 2WD and 4WD HIGH as you please, don't even have to come to a stop or take it out of drive.

BUT, to switch in/out 4WD LOW you DO need to be going "slow-ish" and shift into neutral to make the switch.

 

No, you don't have to back up. They don't have automatic hubs. Everything rotates whenever you're moving.
Just do as DiabloDan says.

 

That's old school. They use magnets now. You don't have to put it in reverse or like the others said, even have to stop. I usually slow down and make sure I'm coasting before I do but I know you don't have to. Just a piece of mind deal for me.

 

I kick mine in an out with no problem I can be doing 50 and put it into 2wd and you can feel a difference in the steering wheel when its out.

 

Thanks for the replies.

So apparently there are no hub locking mechanisms at all in these trucks, automatic or otherwise; the front hubs are simply permanently attached to the front axle shafts (just like with the rear wheels); and going from 2WD to 4WD and vice versa connects and disconnects the front drive shaft at the transfer case. That's interesting.

That sounds great from a reliability-of-engagement perspective (no locking hubs to fail; automatic locking hubs can be especially troublesome), but it certainly doesn't help gas mileage at all, and it puts constant wear and tear on the front driveline components; the front differential for example. In that respect, it is the same idea as having manual locking hubs permanently set to the "lock" position, which to my knowledge, no manufacturer of vehicles so equipped has ever recommended doing.

 

oh, so slamming it into 4low while doing 50 probably annihilated my front drive shaft.






jk. hehe

 

Ha nah it's good for it.

 

Yeah 4h thats ok 4lo I think that might cause a problem lol

 

I honestly wish my 4wd was mechanical like the pre 2001 models. Vehicles these days have too many electronics. When my truck's ctm was acting up, I didn't have 4wd. That wouldn't have been the case if it was mechanical. Yeah the electronic is easy but it's not like I would need to get out and lock the hubs.