Just wondering if my 2006 Ram QC 4x4 Hemi can be driven in 4 Lock (4wd) at speeds above 50 mph. It was raining really bad tonight and wanted to put the car in 4wd, but hesitated....anyone know or can speak intelligently about this? Thanks!

 

Im pretty sure in the manual it will tell you, That is ok on slippery surfaces, Not sure rain would count, You do not want ware out the front end

 

Wasn't very clear in the manual...I read through it. Thanks for the reply!

 

You can run 4 hi at any speed, is that what you are asking? Back when I was in Wisconsin I would run 4 hi on the highway all the time when we had heavy snow storms. 4 low is under 20mph I think

 

I believe the manual states (well at least for my 06 2500 CTD) that I can shift into 4wheel HI up to 55 mph. Not sure I would use 4wheel HI on pavement or wet pavement. 4wheel HI is NOT AWD. Snow is another matter. Why did you feel the need to use 4wheel HI in the rain? Just curious.

 

4wheel high is not the same as awd in that you get the same amount of power to both ends, unlike most all wheel drives where it's normally something like 20% to the front and 80 to the rear or 30 or 70 or whatever. To answer your question though, it IS safe to drive in 4 wheel drive high on the roads. I have a friend who drives a lifted diesel on 33's that runs a 13.7 in the 1/4 and he runs it in 4wheel drive for like the first 330 ft. He also works at a shop that builds custom drag cars so i trust he knows what he's doing. I have a friend with another lifted diesel that runs high 12's but i'm not sure if he does it that way. 4 wheel drive high's purpose is for bad road conditions you will be fine driving around in the rain like that. now I personally wouldnt go faster than like 15 mph in 4lo though.

mrslug, I live in las vegas but I grew up in sacramento and kansas city so I know about driving in rain. However, people that live here do not. It doesnt rain much here at all but when it does everyone gets in accidents. If he is not accustomed to driving in the rain like everyone in las vegas than he may need 4wd in the rain just to stay safe. the roads also get alot more slippery here when it rains than they do in sacramento in kansas city in that the roads here have more junk to wash off when it finally does rain. I still have never used 4 wheel drive in the rain, snow and ice is a different story though.

 

Believe me I know rain. Yes, I have drivin in las vegas where the rain turns to flash flooding and you find yourself driving in 1' or so of water very quickly. I find that unless the road is flooded, 2Wheel HI works great in the rain.

Also, I would be careful about suggesting 4wh HI is ok for the road even in rain. Its not the going straight that hurts 4Wh, its the turning as this put more stress on the driveline, joints, etc in 4Wh when on pavement.

 

Oh I know about that, I grew up 4 wheeling and I have busted ujoints and all that. It just takes a little discretian (sp) when driving like that. Sorry to be off topic but do you live in las vegas?

 

No, I live in California, but I like to drive to Vegas once a year for some fun.

 

I would take it out of 4HI in the rain on pavement if making sharp turns, U-turns, etc.