I love my 2004 durango slt 4.7. I have not used the 4lock yet because summer season is here. I need some help. Is the 4 lock actually a 4x4. I am going fishing this weekend on back roads rocky roads but not wet. They tell me there is a steep hill at 1 point good bottom. Is the 4lock sufficient or when they say you need a 4x4 am I ok. I guess back to the original question is do I own a 4x4 or something else. I am running brand new atv2 tires. Any suggestions as to what type of winch to buy and where to get it and mount it? Are cumalongs any good?

Thanks and I am sorry to seem so confused.

 

I am guessing you have full time 4wd?
All that info is in the owners manual....
you should be ok with 4lock. the road is the big unknown


As for a winch...big investment so do home work- visit the local off road shop ask questions, do more home work - If you see a vehicle with winch ASK how they like that and thheir suggestions

 

Mine has AWD (full time), 4lock, 4low or something along those lines. AWD is different form 4lock as the wheels spin at different speeds in AWD while cornering. The outside wheels have to spin faster as they will cover more ground as the inside wheels. 4Lock (or 4x4) the wheels spin at the same speed as soon as the fricton plates engage. You will notice that the truck will "feel" weird going into turns and the wheels will skip to compensate for them going at the same speed but different lengths. My mechanic claims all the functions such as 4lock, AWD, 4matic are all classified as 4x4, just different differentials (limited slip),
I confused myself,
FF

 

thanks. I am confused too. LOL I guess what I mean is do you use 4lock for heavy snow and mud? Do you ever use 4Low? When do you use 4lock and 4low?

Thanks again

 

use 4lock when you are stuck, hopefully enough added pull to get you going....

If you want we can get boring technical -?
SIMPLE -use it when OFF pavement or deep snow..really puts a bind on thngs when used with good traction...
-

 

I live in Pittsburgh and we get a fair amount of snow in the winter and I might have put it in 4lock to get up my driveway once or twice each year. Other than that, AWD is sufficient for mostly anything else the winter throws my way. I have never put it in 4low,
FF

 

AWD transfers power from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip. This might be both front end or rear end or one on both.

4 lock does just that. It locks both the front and rear together making both move. This is much better for slippery conditions. Use only for slippery conditions!

4 Low is for extreme conditions and VERY slippery conditions.

Here is some great info in the 1sr generation section and technical terms. Although this is a little different there are many similarities.

Transfer Case

Part time, Full time, and AWD Transfer Case explanation
https://dodgeforum.com/m_574544/tm.htm