4x4 question

[Rose2300]

I have a 97 ranger 4.0 5 speed 4 wheel drive and I heard that when it's in 4 wheel drive both tires don't turn? Is this true?

uber noob question haha

 

[Sunk]

Still all stock from what I know. So the 4 wheel drive is pretty much useless unless you have lockers. Fords bright ideas.

Far from useless. Powering the front wheels gives you a great advantage over a rear wheel drive only truck. Go drive some trails in in 2wd, then pop it in 4wd and see the difference.

Most 4x4 vehicles are set up this way as well, not just Fords.

 

[adsm08]

So the 4 wheel drive is pretty much useless unless you have lockers. Fords bright ideas.

Far from it. It is very much all about how you use it, just like any other tool.

I have been in many spots where I couldn't go any where without putting my truck in 4x4, but as soon as I engaged the front axle I walked right out.

The idea of 4x4 is not to get out of any situation you find by brute force alone. The idea is to give the vehicle a second drive axle to help get out of sticky situations by finesse.

4x4 is a scalpel, not a broad sword. You have to know how to use it and how to drive.

 

[4.0B2]

Still all stock from what I know. So the 4 wheel drive is pretty much useless unless you have lockers. Fords bright ideas.

It's not useless... It gives a second tire up front power. Maybe the fronts not in the same hole as the rear. Just get some lockers if you plan to be in a lot of mud.

And it's not just FORD! Most 4wd's are open diffs unless it's certain editions like rubicons or fx4's.

Plus having good tires will help.. What tires do you have? Even with lockers if your tires are caked up smooth with mud..... You won't get traction

 

[PRanger]

I guess that sticker on the side should read "4x4 Off Road(But not too far)"

Just check out this video. Skip to about 2 minutes in to see an Open, LS, and a locked differential . Explains everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIGvhvOhLHU

 

[kryptonitecb]

Do I do this for the front when it's in 4 wheel drive?

Make sure all 4 wheels are off the ground and your on a level surface when you test it. Be safe and smart or you'll hurt yourself. If you want all 4 wheels to get power when in 4wd you need lockers front and rear.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[colby450xc]

Still all stock from what I know. So the 4 wheel drive is pretty much useless unless you have lockers. Fords bright ideas.

If all 4 wheels spun at the same speed at all time the truck would not be drive-able in anything but mud, deep snow, or rock climbing. Fully locked front and rear differentials make it difficult to drive on the road while turning. Think about it, the inside wheels on a turn rotate slower than the outer wheels. The truck would be hopping and breaking axles all the time.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Its not Fords idea....every manufacturer does this.

Most people would be scared to drive a rig with lockers front and rear....

 

[tbranger97]

Ok so I got another question. My 4 hi doesn't work but my 4 low does. It's auto locking hubs. When I turn it to 4 hi I can hear something clicking and my front drive shaft locks and I can't turn it. So does that mean the seleniod might be out?