driver444

Yep, me too. It's good to do that once in a while. Keeps everything moving, and lubed, and you don't get surprised when you need 4wd and it doesn't work for whatever reason. (shift motor!)

SteveLord

(re:turning) I only use 4WD on simple intersection turns. Primarily because if the roads are bad, traction can suck on these trucks so it's harder to get going.

Dante1

Thanks for all the info but here in Montreal...the residential roads are completely snow covered. This happens when I back up into my driveway at home or even parking in a shopping mall.
I guess I will stop using the 4x4 but there is barely any tractions without it. I should've bought studded tired.
I guess I now know the difference between 4x4 ans AWD.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Were assuming that your driveway and the parking spot at the mall were cleared of snow and pavement was showing... this should not happen on snow packed pavement...that would allow your wheels to slip and not cause binding..

Dante1

Cleared of snow? haha, I wish. It has been the coldest winter in a decade and it seems like the snow keeps coming. Wish I was in Virginia Beach right now.
As you know the rear end is VERY light compare to the front end. Maybe next winter, I will load the box with bags of concrete for weight...like it did with my '97 150 XL 4x2.

Anyway, thanks for all your input. Maybe I should "RTFM"!

jayz66ragtop

Close but not quite right. When turning the OUTSIDE tire has to travel further than the inside tire which causes the binding.

Cool vintage video along with text to explain.


To the OP. you don't have to stop using 4X4 just disengage it when making sharp turns then turn back on once you're back straight. Same if you have a locking diff (eLocker or air locker doesn't matter).

kidastra

iTrader: (1)

Hey Dante, nice to see a fellow montrealer here, now I live and drive on the same roads as you, I barely use 4x4 but tires do play a big role, getting into my driveway I do on occasion need to use 4x4, I don't really have any binding at normal turning radiuses, full lock and even on snow it can bind based on how much traction you have, better tired will give more traction and act like you are driving on pavement, with our winter tire law we need to have winters, so I'm guessing you have more traction then most think you do, when I do use 4x4 in big storms I find on my daily drive I have 0 binding (regular driving, turning into streets and parking) tight turns and also getting on the highway I turn the 4x4 off. If you have any questions. Feel free to ask

FL5OVE

OK thanks for the replies to my inquiry as well. I don't think I've done anything to abuse my 4x4, hence the lack of anything bucking, etc. so I'll sleep better tonight....and feel better as I look outside a window and see snow coming down something bad :-(

conger

Also the front tires travel farther in a tight turn. Look at your tire tracks in the snow. Front outside tire will be the outside track.
The transfer case locks front and rear with no differential action. The axles have the differentials to allow movement inside to outside on a turn (unless they are also locked)

buzzard bait

find a salesmen at the dealership and take him for a drive when it snows (someone older) and ask him/her questions while you work the controls.or,read owners manual,search threads here.there is an infinite wealth of info here!