With winter coming up I was wondering what is the parameters for using 4wd -- mine is 04 5.4.

As in what speeds are safe to drive in 4hi? 55mph? 65mph? max? and what speeds are ok to transfer from 2wd to 4hi??

 

You can go as fast as you feel safe, there is no top speed for 4x4. Youll quickly be driving too fast for conditions if you ever reach the max speed that the 4x4 system can handle. As far as engagement speed I believe the manual says 55 If I remember right.

 

^^ that is what my manual says.

 

Personally I live in a snow belt... Tons of snow... Only time i need 4x4 is to get moving from stand still.... At 45+ mph 4x4 won't do squat to a slide... If u really feel like u need it at 45+ I can promise u.. it is a waste..

 

You can use it at any speed, and its shift on the fly so also engage at pretty much any speed as long as you let off the gas and the tires aren't slipping. Only thing is you don't want to use it on dry pavement especially at speeds over 40. under that is ok just for a mile or two once and a while.
Drive the ice/snow/rut covered gravel roads around here and say that. Go plowin fast down a couple of feet of snow on a prarie trail and you won't say 4x4 is useless above 45. But highway, yea if the conditions are bad enough you think you need 4x4 over 45-50 mph, slow your *** down to 45-50 and use the 4x4 then.

 

Here's the thing I had a 2 wheel drove dodge full size for three years in the snow belt of northern new york... I even drove through snow/ice storms with it all the time. 4x4 is not needed half as much as people think it is...

Maintaining speed on a trail while cutting trail through fresh snow can be tricky without 4x4..

As far as what speed is safe to go in 4hi... Honestly don't count on 4x4 to do much for u over 45-50.. I see a bunch of people drive like fools because they say they have 4x4 why not... That have bit the tongues on that...

 

For 2 low do you need to stop first and put it in neutral?

 

yep and that's 4 lo

 

Oops! thats what i said. 4 low...lol

 

I've got a decent number of hours in nasty weather. I find 4wd to be very needed especially in Vermont and NH on highways where you are cutting the trail.

I was just wondering if the 4wd system had specific limititations...sounds like transfer case top speed is 55mph. Sure fast enough to deal with snow and ice!