new 16 yr old owner of a 2001 dodge ram 5.9 4x4 when and how is the proper way to shift from 2 to 4 wheel drive

 

Four high - leave it in drive, let off the gas pedal and pull the handle firmly toward you (at speeds up to 55mph) after a couple seconds you'll see a light on the dash letting you know it's engaged. To disengage, let off the gas and push the shifter back to the two high spot.

Four low - you're supposed to be rolling 1-3mph, put the transmission in neutral and firmly push the floor shifter toward the dash (it moves pretty far for four low). Every time I've tried that I made the gears grind. I stop/ put the transmission in neutral/ turn off the truck/ shift into four low/ start the truck/ put the transmission in drive and go. Don't go over 20mph in four low. Reverse that for getting out of four low. If the floor shifter doesn't want to go all the way then you just let off the brake pedal to let the truck roll a couple inches.

Don't go over 55mph in four high.
Don't go over 20mph in four low.
Don't have the truck in four wheel drive on pavement, only dirt/mud/snow/sand. If the front wheels can't break traction when you turn the wheel then you're likely to snap a u-joint on a front axle shaft.

 

I have found that if you are moving SLOWLY, and give the 4x4 lever a quick, sharp, shift, it'll go into 4 lo without grinding. If you hesitate AT all, (or, don't hold your face right) it'll grind.