4wd vs. 2wd locked

[Mr. Leary]

As Brian said, low range is the biggest distinguishing factor. More power at lower speed. A front wheel pulling and a rear pushing with the center locked will almost always provide more traction then one axle pulling or pushing alone. Don't forget to air down. It make a big difference, especially with open diffs.

It is important for the transfer case to function in low range regularly. This is a preventative maintainance item.

 

[SoCal]

It is important for the transfer case to function in low range regularly. This is a preventative maintainance item.

So should I actually be putting it in low range on a dirt road somewhere as preventative maintenance or is this just a joke that I need to off road more?

 

[Pikeman]

It is not a joke. Your owners manual and the 4wd tag on the visor say to engage for 10 miles a month

 

[SoCal]

Okay, I have been putting it in 4hi on a dirt road near my house, should I put it in 4Lo as well?

 

[Gerdo]

Okay, I have been putting it in 4hi on a dirt road near my house, should I put it in 4Lo as well?

Depends on the road/trail. If it is just a road and not too steep then 4hi should be fine. Remember even if the vehicle CAN do a steep trail in 4hi, should it? Using 4lo relieves the strain on the transmission/clutch. I know that people have driven a trail in 4hi and overheated the auto trans. In 4lo you gain torque.

Back to the first question. A locked 2wd can go far but the wheels are pushing the front wheels over obstacles where 4wd pulls the wheels over. And as said before, low range!