I have always used 4hi in hard rain. So does my wife in her Cherokee Sport. I would'nt drive around town at slow speeds in rain using 4-hi because its hard on the tires but if you are on the highway and it opens up, put it in 4-hi to reduce hydroplaining. My last Ram had 130k and no issues.
Better to use 4-hi than hydroplaining and wrecking the truck.

 

I've lived most of my life in South Florida - lots of rain down there. I always put my vehicles in 4-hi when in heavy rain. I usually go back to 2WD before pulling into any parking lot, or for any turn worse than a lane change.

 

I dont have a 4wheel drive ram however I think that if your driving in the rain there is really no point in putting your truck in 4wheel Drive unless your trying to go through deep water (6"+). Otherwise just slow down from your usual driving habbits and take your time (unless your one of the people who go 25 in a 45 then you may as well just walk you might get wherever your going faster). I live in Arizona so we only get rain like once a year but when it rains all the oils that have soaked into the pavement come up and on some roads its like driving on an oil slick but no one ever thinks that they should slow down and just take their time. I've seen so many accidents that could have been avoided where people were driving over the limit (maybe 5-10mph over) and found out that when you try to stop fast and hit your brakes you just slide into the car infront of you. My friends made the same mistake where he took a corner in his tacoma around 25 like he usually does but because it was raining he slid and wrapped his truck around a light pole.

The point Im trying to make though is that if you are unsure about driving in the rain either pull over and stop and try to wait it out or just go slow and take your time. There is no shame in slowing down for bad driving conditions.

 

You're no fun... [sm=gears.gif]

 

Isn't your Cobra a 4.6L DOHC? Ford doesn't have a 4.7L ...

 

4WD can bite hard and leave you crying in the Rain. I never use mine in snow, rain if I'm on a city streat or even a highway. I strictly use it for off road where I'm going slow and easy and don't have to worry abought all the othier drivers spiing out with thier 4x4's.
With good tires and driving skills, 2wd ( ltd slip ) offers more control based upon your speed if your going to spin out.

4wd is great for traction, until one of the four wheals lose traction, than your stuck betwean controling a FWD or RWD, I never caught on to FWD, so For Myself RWD is the only way to go..

At any point where the rear wheals are slipping, than use 4x4.

 

do any of you notice much of a change with your gas milage while your in 4WD driving around in the snow/rain?

 

There are times for having fun and times for driving safe. In bad weather there is no question, I'd wrather slow down alittle and drive safe than ram into someone cause I cant stop in time or have someone do the same to me. Its all common sense I would think.

 

Switching into 4Wheel HI will affect MPG. Not sure how much mpg 4wh costs you with a gasser.

 

there is no need for 4hi in rainning weather. slowing your driving down will do more good than anything else. the transfer case was not designed to be engaged while on pavement. it should only be used on loose pavement......a wet road is not considered loose pavement. you certainly shouldn't be using 4wd as a crutch to go faster in the rain. just keep in mind that whatever you're doing, you still have to slow 4 wheels down.