The owners manual for the 2003 Lariat states that you can switch from 2WD to 4WD Hi at any speed, except when it's below freezing. If it's below 32°F, you're supposed to slow down to 45 mph to switch. How important is this? Will things suddenly break if you switch into 4WD at 60 mph and it's 20°F?

 

How often are you going 60 and need 4WD???? :?

 

Here in Colorado and Wyoming, driving on highways through the mountains in winter, conditions can change pretty fast. Need it? Nah. Want it sometimes? Sure.

 

i dunno. in my opinion, if conditions change that fast where you want four wheel drive you shouldnt be goin 60. I doubt it would hurt it too much but you never know

 

If your going 60 4wd isn't going to do you any good. Why not just slow down and switch it in according to the book? Better safe then sorry. We aren't able to give you a better answer to Ford's recommendations and if it breaks unless you have a warranty you'll have the bill to pay. I would just follow the Ford recommends.

 

x2 He speaks the truth. and DO NOT put it in 4 low on pavement.

 

I just dont understand why you would need 4wd going 60....

 

if u are in the snow maybe? and u are more or less stuck and u floor it to like 60 and hit the 4wd switch, that might hurt

 

Here in AK, these idiots run 75-80 in driving down snow coming in from the valley every morning. 50% of the vehicles are pickups, 99% of those are 4x4's, and you can bet your last dollar, everyone is locked in 4h. Of course with the newer trucks most are almost allwheel drive anyways even though they say 4x4 with the newer technology. They fly around town where the limits may be 40, and blow by you if you are going the speedlimit. So the question of who drives 60 in the snow, Alaskan Drivers. lol

Note: The reason Ford gives 45 for a top speed to engage the t/case, is that the electric shift motor doesn't go faster in rpm's than the speed. So if you try and shift it in at a faster rate, you may be able to, but I'm sure you will tear up either the motor or the gear it engages. I'd slow down to 45 to shift in, then you can run 60 all day.

 

I remember a few years ago I went to reach over to turn my fan speed higher on my AC controls on the highway, and by total accident put the truck in 4WD lmao