4wd how to use it..

[duce]

well i have had to use my 4hi 4 the first time today and i have never had a 4+4 before so i am not sure i am doing it right..as i pull out of my drive way i hit the 4 hi switch and all is fine but when i go to put it back to 2hi i makes a loud bang and the truck jerks..what is the proper way to use 4 hi and 2 hi???

[barch97]

From another thread

... i backed down the driveway and attempted to go forward it instantly started to dig holes in the snow and start to get stuck.... I engage four wheel HI after about a minute of driving I hear big clunk on the passenger side....

I think that I know what may be going on here.

My friend with the Highrider had an embarrassing experience. He backed over the edge of an embankment inadvertently. His first response was to try driving out of it and spun the wheels enough to dig some little holes No big deal, right? Just engage four wheel drive and get out, right?

Wrong! The transfercase will engage , but you must be able to move/rotate the front wheels in order for the axle coupler to engage , and lock in the front drive axle.

With the front tires on the dry pavement he was stuck and had to be towed! Once it moved a little the front kicked in and out he came.

Now if you do not exercise the four wheel drive very often the mechanism can become kind of "sticky". This can delay engagement also.

That "CLUNK" you heard was the axle engaging. I doubt that it did any damage, and not much you can do about it , other than try to reduce the amount of torque applied until you're sure the axle has engaged. You also want to make sure that everything is turning the same speed when it engages. If the rear wheel is spinning, it will be difficult for the front axle to engage.

Moral of the story: Engage 4x4 before you think that you will need it. You can always shift it out and proceed. Oh, and exercise that 4wd every now and then.

You pretty much did it right. Just don't want to have the accelerator to the floor while shifting from 2hi to 4hi or back. Wheels need to be rolling for axle to engage but not neccessarily accelerating. Ease up on the gas when you switch.

[HenryJ]

Electronic Transfer Case
The electronic transfer case switches are located to the right of the steering wheel.
Use these switches to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. You can choose among three driving settings:
2HI: This setting is for driving in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. When this lamp is lit, it is about one-half as bright as the others.
4HI: This setting engages your front axle to helpdrive your vehicle. Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads, or in most off-road situations.
4LO: This setting also engages your front axle to give you extra traction. You may never need 4LO. It sends the maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose 4LO if you were driving off-road in sand, mud or deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
Indicator lights in the switches show you which setting you are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on.
If the lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle in for service. An indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain illuminated when the shift is completed.
Shifting from 2HI to 4HI
Press and release the 4HI switch. This can be done at any speed, and the front axle will lock automatically.
Shifting from 4HI to 2HI
Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done at any speed, and the front axle will unlock automatically.

[jeff024]

HINT its in the owners manual