Hey all! Got a 4x4 question for ya: I'm running an '04 FX4 on Nittos, no major mods just a leveling kit, flowmaster, Moog uppers, and Rancho quicklifts in the front. Here's my dilemma....I KEEP GETTING STUCK IN THE SAND! I drive on the beach with some friends only to get stuck regularly. There are lesser vehicles out there with road tires that do just fine. It seems like my 4x4H is not engaging (locking, working, something) until I get my rpms up and when they finally do engage they dig in cuz the rpms are up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Especially budget minded advice

 

4 low work ??... does the 4WD light on your dash light up when you switch to 4H...double check your vacuum lines on your IWE's... look at your IWE solenoid located on the firewall behind your battery...does it have a rain shield over the top of it ?? are you hearing any noise after you switch into 4WD ??

 

the 4H light does not come on. ( I assumed bulb or something but I guess in hindsight, this could be bigger problem). no noticeable noise when I try to engage 4H. I'll look into IWE solenoid today. I think 4Low works but didn't think wheelin around in 1st gear was a good plan. Thanks techrep!

 

I'll bet your IWE solenoid is toast...

 

How did you get un-stuck ?? lol ... when in the sand ...you need to air down your meats to around 20PSI...you will see the sidewalls flex...this helps out a lot in the sand.. and 4L is not first gear but, is limited to 35MPH

 

Depending on beach airing down isnt needed as i only run 37 psi in my nittos, thats close enough.

I wouls definitly check/ replace IWE solenoid if it doesnt have the rain shield, its like 30 bucks.

Then get a buddy or someone to put your truck in 4H then have buddy just tap gas and see if the half shaft(cv axles) are turning.


If they are not and you hear bo grinding. Your options.


Tap the 4wd motor on top of the transfercase and see if it works then.

And or you have bad IWE actuators

 

37PSI is not close enough... I run 40PSI and airing down to 15-20 PSI helps a lot... depending on the beach ?? sand is sand..

 

lol I had to have a bunch of folks push, then like i said the rpms get up there and I start to get moving. i have heard the lower psi trick helps, but I know the guys with road tires aren t doing that. Lunch starts in 30min. gonna look at IWE solenoid then

 

Yes airing down helps alot, but sand isnt just sand, you got compacyt hard beach sand that you can drive a mustang on then very fine powered sand that you can sink anything

 

when you get stuck are all 4 tires dug in?
if so, then 4wd is working and it's tire pressure/technique
if just the back, then no 4wd