moon1993

OK so I am very new to 4wd never had one been into fast cars mostly had a few Stang's and gtos. So 3 days ago I bought my first 4x4. a 2001 f150 sport 4x4 4.2L 5 speed
144,xxx miles and 6inch lift so tonight on my way home for work there was obviously a huge storm ahead so I stopped put in Neutral and dropped in 4H. Drove on the interstate at about 70-75 for about 8 miles on dry pavement
Then got off interstate after deciding maybe I shouldn't really be in 4wd. Came to a stop and before I could put it back in 2H. i heard a grinding noise and a loud squeeking noise then drove about 3 miles and stopped looked under truck and saw what looked and smelled like water steadily dripping from my trans and it hadn't started raining yet. Now my clutch feels more loose and driving period is a little more shaky. And not sure lts connected but it also started right after when I rev the motor in N the speedometer also jumps

30inchlifted150

Glad your into the 4x4 stuff, it can be alot of fun when things go right...!

But from reading what you posted, going on highway speeds in 4x4 is not good for your Transmission or your Transfer Case Probably.

Now when you go back into 2wd your supposed to go into reverse while in 4x4 to let off tension of the axles and driveshafts then proceed back to 2wd after going into reverse a little bit.

Did you do this at all? If you still haven't try it, I know it sounds funny but everyone knows this.

Cool

gabebauman

4x4 for a rain storm?

techrep

iTrader: (1)

4 x 4 @ 70-75 mph ??

Wiggum

because .... 'MERICA!

Z7What

Shouldn't use 4X4 on drive pavement.

Wayne

EricTheMarine

Welcome to the 4x4 world!

You should stay in 2wd until you need the 4x4, rain does not warrant 4x4 use in most conditions. I would even hesitate on rain and mud weather to use it now. You are not the first to have done this. I myself also in the past had, but got lucky and didn't cause any damage. Best to not try and use it until you get stuck if you can help it.

30inchliftedf150's advise is what I have heard before for older 4x4s in the past. It's surly worth a shot to see if it fixes it.

Using 4x4 on dry pavement (making turns most of all!) can cause some seriously expensive damage to many different components.

There are many posts in this section that can shed some light on 4wd and how to have safe fun while doing it.

Hope I helped
-Eric

techrep

iTrader: (1)

"Best to not try and use it until you get stuck if you can help it".

You use it so you don’t get stuck !!

EricTheMarine

Wise advise if you are seriously offroading. If I was going to be off trail after a rain, in the mud, yes. Even playing in the sand most likely.

However if you are in minor non slip conditions where you have traction, but lose it due to angle or terrain change, you should not be using it until you are stuck.

Have been in the woods many a times with my F150 where I had plenty of traction until I tried to go up a dirt hill. Using the 4x4 all the time would damage so many components in that dry area.

My comment of "until you get stuck" is more aimed at people who are not offroading, but still end up needing 4x4 to get out

sportster07

Don't ever use 4x4 unless you know you're going to get stuck. My truck is strictly a 2 wheel drive until I need it.