Today was my first time running the truck in 4x4. I noticed that the truck runs fine in H4 and L4 until I start to make a sharp turn. Then it feels like the front brakes are dragging bad. I heard minor clunks when backing up while turning in H4. Once the vehicle returns to straight-line driving the drag goes away.

Second thing I noticed is I can't get the SOB back into H2. It's stuck in 4x4 mode. I can shift from high to low and back again just fine. I just can't shift into H2. What the hell am I doing wrong here? I'm pretty sure this one's user error. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> But the brake dragging feeling is got me stumped. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Is this something I should worry about? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Welcome to part-time 4WD. That is what you have and what you are describing is normal drivetrain binding. I assume you were doing this 4WD test on a high traction surface like pavement? If so, that is generally to be avoided for just the reasons you describe. To shift out of 4H, try driving straight ahead or backwards for a while to help the stresses unload and then try shifting. Part-time 4WD means you have no center differential in the t-case, it locks the front and rear driveshaft together. To visualize why this can cause problems, pull into an empty parking lot and drive through a puddle of water and hang a sharp u-turn. Hop out and look at the different paths followed by the 4 wheels. The front wheels make a larger arc and therefore turn more revolutions that the rear wheels. That is the source of the binding.

Great explaination 4Crawler! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Thanks! I feel much better. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

PS. Yes it was on the pavement.

yeah, its definitely not good to drive in 4wd on dry pavement. it puts a lot of uneeded stress on the drivetrain. you should see what its like w/ lockers. its 10x worse.

Yeah, don't use your 4 wheel drive unless you need to. Test it in your yard or on a gravel road. Iread that driving in 4x4 on dry pavement can cause your vehicle to flip over pretty easy. I havent figures out how, but that is supposed to be a danger. Not to mention ripping up your drivetrain.

I can see that. It does bind up when you're trying to turn. So if you go willy nilly around a corner with no regard and it binds up, well it could get ugly. I'm just glad I didn't go very far. And 4Crawlers trick about driving it to let it "unbind" and then trying to put it in H2 worked. When I was trying both times I had pulled into a parking lot and then into my driveway. So everything was still bound up. Thanks 4Crawler! Newbie lesson learned. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

That's ridiculous.

However, you will break things on pavement if you drive around in 4WD. All 4 tires want to turn different speeds around corners, and the drivetrain won't permit this. Usually tires slip before something breaks from the binding, but not always. And it's hard on everything.

Don't do it unless pavement is no longer a high-traction surface (ie ice, snow, etc) - then you're fine.

hmm...it is huh? take a look at this <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

STi Roll

you gotta think about weight transfer man. it applies a lot more in drifting though b/c when your tires are spinning around a turn and you let off the gas weight shifts drastically, sometimes resulting in a roll. in a 2wd vehicle there are only 2 tires are spinning at one time. when you let off the gas the weight shift is controlled by the traction of the front tires.