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RFW Problem


lorncamp

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I have a 2001 Ranger XLT. It seems to be ok in 2HI but when I transfer into 4HI or 4LO the wheels seem to lock up and the RFW switch does not unlock the huibs. Should it? I know the button works because when I put it back into 2HI and press the RFW button it switches the light off.
 


Jspafford

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Logan Andrew Feb 17, 2012
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Is the RFW switch your 4WD switch I am assuming. The 2001-up hubs do not unlock. They are not actually hubs at all, it is a live axle setup, meaning the axle shafts are bolted directly to the hub with no mechanism to unlock.

What do you mean it is locking up. Are you saying the wheels lock up when you are turning tightly or going straight. If they are locking up, and or 'bucking' when turning tightly in 4WD, this is normal and you should avoid it at all costs. What is happening is the tires are not on a slippery enough surface to need 4WD, and you can damage your drivetrain if you continue to use it this way.
 

lorncamp

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Hi there. Thanks for the reply so quickly!
When I bought the truck there was no Manual but from what I have found out the RFW allows you to unlock the hubs even in 4x4 but it does not do this!
I have a separate gear stick that allows me to engage 4x4 nexct to my notmal gear stick! RFW stands for "Remote Free Wheeling"
When I said it was locking up I mean that they lock wjhen turning tightly. They seem to be fine in a straight line!
The wheels do "Buck" when turning tightly and I will take your advice and avoid doing it!
If what you have told me is correct that means that 4x4 is only useable in a traight line which is useless is it not?
Thanks for your help so far!
 
Jspafford

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No that means your using 4WD when the traction surface is too high. Another words, the road or whatever your driving on is not slippery enough to NEED 4WD. This happens to anyone who uses 4WD when it's not really needed.

Now if this happens when your in a lot of snow, or actually stuck and can't move at all without the 4WD being on, then it may be something else.
 

lorncamp

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When im pulling my speedboat up the slip I need to use 4x4 and it bucks when I turn the corner at the top. 2HI would never be able to pull it up the slip, the back wheels just spin. I also have a 1600kg cherry picker that I need to put into driveways and it bucks when I use it then too. Im just a bit confused as to if its working properly or not!
 

Donnie strickland

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You should not use 4X4 on a hard surface. If you are on mud, dirt, gravel -- anything that will allow your wheels some slippage -- you are ok.

As you have found, you are ok using 4X4 on a hard surface as long as you don't turn the steering wheel. This is normal and it sounds like your truck is working as it should.

I use my Ranger to pull my boat out of the water, and like yours, mine won't pull it out in 2hi either. I use 4low to get to the top of the ramp but then I put it in 2hi.

This is the difference between four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. With AWD it stays engaged all the time, but there is a mechanism in the driveline which allows for slippage between the front and rear drivelines, so you don't get the binding and bucking.
 

lorncamp

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Thanks for that reply. It has sorted my problems out now. Im glad to hear its not a fault with my truck! 1 more question for you - When it snows here it should be OK to engage the 4HI so that I can drive about the streets without damaging anything?
 

Donnie strickland

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Snow is ok; I use mine that way.
 
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