Testing 4WD

[mdmarble]

I'm going out to test a 02 4.0 with 4wd. I really like inspecting my cars before I buy them. I'm real picky with everything, I like to make sure everything is perfect. My biggest pet peve is making sure the windows work, and every button works. My first car, half the buttons worked, DROVE ME NUTS!!!

It will be my first 4x4. I'm inexperienced with it, and I'm always weary of car dealers... I'm going to take it for a good test drive. Start it up dead cold, watch it warm up, drive it around, race it a little bit, do a good test drive. But with out being in mud or snow or anything, how do I check that the 4wd is operational. Should I hear the gears and hub lock? Will a light on the dash turn on that tells me its working??

I doubt the dealer will let me take it on some grass and try doing donuts in 4wd to see if the front wheels will spin... How do I make sure in a paved parking lot that the 4x4 works??

Also, the truck has 93k miles on it. It's an 02 4.0 auto, and it looks clean. Any one know the typical mileage these things start to take a beating at? Anything special I should take a look at while I'm checking it out at the dealership???

Thanks

 

[cappin90]

just see if they'll let you drive it in 4wd around the block once, if they do the steering should be much harder and also see if the front shaft spins when in 4wd but i dunno any other ways to check without taking it off road

 

[alaskan155]

take it in a dirt, gravel lot, and lock the wheel left to right, if you hear click the joint need rebuilt more than likely, just dont do this on concrete, or damage could occur

 

[GreatWhite]

Do Not Do It On Asphalt!

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

You CAN test it on asphalt. Just don't goose it all over the place. Like Cappin90 said, you will feel it in the wheel when you turn, and a light on the dash will indicate that the four wheel drive has been engaged.

 

[snake]

Bring a floor jack- find some smooth pavement like new concrete, for example- jack up the rear end off of the ground and see if the front end will pull you forward. You don't need to move it very far like a foot- be careful because it could EASILY fall off of the jack. Have the tires up only a tiny bit in case it does fall. This will tell you if it is engaging and disengaging.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Bring a floor jack- find some smooth pavement like new concrete, for example- jack up the rear end off of the ground and see if the front end will pull you forward. You don't need to move it very far like a foot- be careful because it could EASILY fall off of the jack. Have the tires up only a tiny bit in case it does fall. This will tell you if it is engaging and disengaging.

I'm not so sure a dealership will let you do that

 

[4x4junkie]

I don't see an issue in checking for the typical 4WD "binding" in a parking lot IF you don't go any further than just to the point of where you feel the bind start. If you don't feel it bind at all though (truck turns easily while in 4WD), then something isn't engaging properly.

'02 is pretty reliable on the indicators though (no failure-prone hubs on the axle). If the lights on the dash come on and stay on normally, more likely than not it'll be in 4WD.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Like 4x4 junkie said, you should have a live axle setup which means the hubs will already be locked. One way to test to make sure the transfer case is working properly is to jack the front of the truck up so both tires are off the ground. in 2wd the tires should spin freely and you will probably see the front drive shaft spinning since they are already locked in place. Next turn the 4x4 nob into 4hi. With the front still lifted, the transfer case should lock the front drivehsaft to the point where you cant turn it since it is connected with the rear wheels. Also check 4lo. Depending on the dealership, they will probably let you do this since the truck will stay in Park and there is no chance of it rolling off the jacks.

 

[LearjetMinako]

A fast check is to put it in Neutral and swith to 4Low. You should hear the transfer case make a quick connection. Then put it in Drive and drive forward. The engine should quickly spool up with little ground accerleration.

Also try the bind test. Put it in 4High and crawl forward while turning. The truck should try to slow down and steering becomes stiff. If it is, then stop, straighten the wheels and back up a few feet, and switch to 2High.

The 4x4 lights are simple. Blinking = switching modes, Soild = in mode, constant blinking = problem.

 

[Evan]

Test the low range by putting it in 4 low and pulliing forward at a few MPH. The engine RPM should be about 2.5 times higher for a given vehicle speed, than when it's in HI.

To test 4x4, find an area with some sand or gravel. Put the truck in 4x4, and make a sharp turn. You should feel a little resistance in the steering wheel, and the tires should skip over the ground a bit. Listen for any popping sounds...that's a sign that there are some bad joints.

 

[Jspafford]

The lights don't blink when shifting. They just come on when the shift is complete.

 

[91rangerxlt]

try powerbraking it when yer in 4x4 if it dont spin and pull ya forward yer in 4wheel drive.

 

[Jspafford]

try powerbraking it when yer in 4x4 if it dont spin and pull ya forward yer in 4wheel drive.

Then if it works you can pay the dealer to fix the truck you just screwed up....

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yea, try power sliding it around a corner and if just pulls you forward, then you’re in four wheel drive.... Better yet, try jumping it.