Yeah, the reason it binds on dry pavement in a turn is because the front tire wants to turn at a different speed than the rears.

When you go into 4wd and put it back to 2wd and the light goes out but the transfer case is still locked. Just keep it in 2wd and back up 20 feet. It'll come right out. That is normal.

The front diff is an open diff and only drives one tire, maybe a little force on the other, but not much. If you have lsd, then the rear diff gives power to both tires. But it has clutches or cones to allow the tires to spin at different rates if the pressure during a turn is over the rating.

 

I recommend reading the manual, and the following link:
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/offr.../aa021203a.htm

 

I agree, you guys are scaring me. Please read your manuals on engaging and disengaging 4wd. These systems are expensive to repair and if you break it then tell the dealer "I was doing donuts in Wal-mart parking lot on dry pavement" He's going to grin from ear-to-ear. One point,never shift to 4wd with the truck tires already spinning,because the transfercase does not use synchrogears. If on dry pavement, straight and narrow is fine, that goes for dirt to. Just because it is dirt or gravel doesn't mean you have slippage. If your rear-end isn't spinning due to lack of traction, 2wd is plenty.I don't even want to talk about 4Lo, that is totally different.

arrowman- why exactly do you feel the need to engage 4wd once a week?

 

+1

I guess growing up on a farm I don't realize that everyone doensn't know these things. But please ask if you don't know, don't guess or state what you think happens unless you clearly state that is your purpose. Otherwise people read your thoughts, take them for face value and repeat, that is how rumors start. I think some people shoud read about transfer cases, differnential (open, limited slip, lockers), and how 4WD actually works. Go to www.howstuffworks.com and type these things in. They usually have animations and a very well written out thread on how almost anything you can think of works.

 

I'm not real knowledgeable on 4x4 stuff either, But after reading this post, I've also got some questions!

I have an '06 Ram MegaCab SLT 4x4, it has 2wd, 4wd HI, 4wd Lo. I also have the Factory LSD.

I purchased 4x4 because we get snow in the winter, and my In-laws land gets muddy when it rains. Our old truck was an '01 Silverado 2wd no LSD, and we ALWAYS got stuck. My in-laws were always pulling us out with their Nissan Titan 4x4.

It was MY understanding that 4wd High You could drive on anything other than dry pavement, because all 4 tires were Not Locked, and could spin at different rates. and that 4wd Low is where all 4 tires a locked together and will only spin at the same rate, also Low has like 3x the torque. So low was suppose to be used in really deep snow where 4wd High didn't get enough traction, or for things like rock climbing.

But after reading all these posts, I'm kind of confused on the whole thing. I know Factory the LSD is only in the rear, Can the front also be upgraded to LSD?

So is 4x4 High safe to use with say 1" or more of snow on the ground? Or should I not use 4x4 unless I can't get any traction in 2x2? I always thought It'd be better to be in 4x4 before you get stuck than to wait untill your stuck.

Maybe LSD will work good enough that I wont ever need 4x4... Then i'll really have wasted money!

-TheChad

 

Its fine to drive in 4w hi in the snow/mud, even a little cover. The 4 tires are not locked, the front and rear drive wheel is locked. If you have a lsd or posi, etc., then you have 3 drive wheels.

4w low is only for getting out of tight situations, pulling stumps, pulling somebody outta the drift, etc.

But, in 4wd low, all 4 tires are not locked together. Its still the same. The only advantage is the reduced gearing in low.

I've never heard of a lsd for the front diff, but I ain't saying it aint out there.

There are hardcore offroad guys that use a locker in the front and rear, but are not meant for the street.

I have found that on just wet pavement, if I am on an incline and stopped. When I give it a little gas with my lsd, it spins. I put it into 4wd hi, then shift out of it once I'll rolling good.

Hope that helps a little.

 

Arn't Hummers Front & Rear LSD? I thought I read a 4x4 article that said that is the ultimate off-road setup, and found on hummers.

-TheChad

 

This is a very amusing topic....[sm=popcorn.gif]

 

My last truck was a Ford with manual hubs and when I switched out of 4x4 I had to back up to completely disengage ... is this still true for the electronic shift on my 06? There are a couple of posts that mentioned to do it.

 

Sometimes it comes out, sometimes not. When it doesn't, you just back up a little.