Attention Gas/Oil Field Workers!!

[straycat]

Anyone with a fleet vehicle that goes offroad can tell stories that would make you cringe, take things places where they have no business being and trying things they would never do if they were paying for it...

I have buddies that work for the power and gas company in the Tampa area. They all have 4x4 fleet trucks (no Fords, all Chevy and Dodges) they take everywhere. These trucks go home with them every day. I asked them about this post and they say they never had any issues with any of the trucks. They have to use 4wd almost all day long since their travel is out in the boonies over mud, and shallow water areas. When they take their lunch breaks they switch back to 2wd when they get on the highway and then switch back to 4wd when they get back into the boonies.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have buddies that work for the power and gas company in the Tampa area. They all have 4x4 fleet trucks (no Fords, all Chevy and Dodges) they take everywhere. These trucks go home with them every day. I asked them about this post and they say they never had any issues with any of the trucks. They have to use 4wd almost all day long since their travel is out in the boonies over mud, and shallow water areas. When they take their lunch breaks they switch back to 2wd when they get on the highway and then switch back to 4wd when they get back into the boonies.

They don't have lockout hubs. So either are live all the time or have a CAD.

Downside is they don't have 2Lo.

 

[straycat]

They don't have lockout hubs. So either are live all the time or have a CAD.

Downside is they don't have 2Lo.

Oh, did not think about that, Bro!! But, these trucks have right at 120,000 miles on them and they use them every day and always get regular service and no major issues. I think that is so cool.

 

[wahlstrom1]

We run ours to the same, and overall have few issues but you can definitely tell they are work trucks... things start to loosen up when you bomb a 10k lb truck down lease roads in -40* weather all winter long and drag it through the mud behind cat's in the spring.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Chevy uses a disconnect at the differential.

 

[racsan]

my wife's S-blazer had a stuck vacuum switch at the transfer case, allowed vacuum all the time to the front axle acutator, probapbly saved it, had a bad axleshaft seal and alot of the oil was gone. if it was indeed disconnected the spiders would have been spinning away like mad in 2wd (normal) but with no oil, since the axle was "live"' the ring gear was slinging enough oil around to keep things lubricated. ive since done away with the transfer case vac switch and now have a valve to turn on/off the vaccum to the front axle. and i have 2wd low range capability now, just like in the ranger with manual hubs!

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

I have been working the oil/gas patch for over 22 years now. I have never taken any of my trucks hubs out of lock. Drove each for well over 130,000 and never even had a failure in the front end or transfer. Always, I mean always did my recommended service on everything. Just goes to show you how just a little goes a long ways.

Current truck has over 100,000 on it and never a failure and many miles on it at well over 75mph!