4WD for dummies - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67C10Step · 11-15-2019, 02:26 PM

Davischevy,,
Steel Creek was the exact place I was picturing in my mind when I typed my response. Super nice place but the road is crooked and somewhat steep.

Mossy boat ramps is another place where a 4wd will save your bacon if the front wheels stay on something they can grab.

Tom · 11-15-2019, 03:37 PM

My suburban is the first 4wd I've had in 21yrs of driving. Only got it for launching jetskis on the beach, otherwise my lowered 2wd 98 works fine for anything I need.

1976gmc20 · 11-15-2019, 04:10 PM

For a while I had a 2wd short stepside 65 C/10 with a 230 six and SM420 four speed that I used for my chainsaw/timber cutting pickup. It took me everywhere I needed to go though you did need to be a bit cautious what you got yourself into. I had tire chains for when it was really muddy or snow, and it was light enough that a hi-lift jack would get you out of a bind without much effort.

Thirty years ago we took it up the west side of Tincup Pass just for an evening drive

shifty · 11-15-2019, 08:38 PM

Well, today was a good sloppy-wet day to try things. Went ahead and plopped it into 4HI on the way home. Should've RTFM first, apparently you can just hit the button for 4HI. And Toyota recommends 10 miles of that per month to keep everything lubed.

I'm going to head over to a friend's house up north of ATL weekend after Thanksgiving. Was chatting with him a few hours ago about this thread and he reminded me he and a couple of guys he works with have a some favorite holes they like to hit just outside Kennesaw and another near Canton. Planning to ride along with them, chuck it into 4LO and get some pointers. Figure it's better to run through the motions now once or twice before I actually need it.

Thanks again everyone for your input. I appreciate it.

1976gmc20 · 11-16-2019, 12:38 PM

Well I don't know anything about your Toyota but I wouldn't ever use 4wd on pavement unless it is snow covered. Even on dry gravel I don't like to run my conventional "part-time" 4wd vehicles in 4wd.

Exception would be if your pickup has a center differential which in that case 4wd really is just AWD. The manual should state if that is the case, though who knows what is lost in the translation

kipps · 11-16-2019, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Well I don't know anything about your Toyota but I wouldn't ever use 4wd on pavement unless it is snow covered...

Second this. part-time 4x4 is for forgiving surfaces only.

**special-K** · 11-16-2019, 08:06 PM

I'd find a dirt road or at least wait till it rains to run the routine 4wd period

**truckster** · 11-16-2019, 10:49 PM

If you're just wondering if the 4WD engages, you can find out quickly on dry pavement. Put it in 4hi and start a slow turn. You'll feel the front tires scrubbing. Don't drive it that way very far, though.

11-15-2019, 02:26 PM	#26
67C10Step Registered User Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Beebe, AR Posts: 2,406	Re: 4WD for dummies Davischevy,, Steel Creek was the exact place I was picturing in my mind when I typed my response. Super nice place but the road is crooked and somewhat steep. Mossy boat ramps is another place where a 4wd will save your bacon if the front wheels stay on something they can grab. __________________ 1967 C10 1980 Jeep CJ5 2020 Toyota 4Runner 2020 Toyota CH-R 2020 Acura MDX

11-15-2019, 03:37 PM	#27
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,692	Re: 4WD for dummies My suburban is the first 4wd I've had in 21yrs of driving. Only got it for launching jetskis on the beach, otherwise my lowered 2wd 98 works fine for anything I need. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

11-15-2019, 04:10 PM	#28
1976gmc20 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Montana Posts: 3,696	Re: 4WD for dummies For a while I had a 2wd short stepside 65 C/10 with a 230 six and SM420 four speed that I used for my chainsaw/timber cutting pickup. It took me everywhere I needed to go though you did need to be a bit cautious what you got yourself into. I had tire chains for when it was really muddy or snow, and it was light enough that a hi-lift jack would get you out of a bind without much effort. Thirty years ago we took it up the west side of Tincup Pass just for an evening drive __________________ Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner

11-15-2019, 08:38 PM	#29
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: 4WD for dummies Well, today was a good sloppy-wet day to try things. Went ahead and plopped it into 4HI on the way home. Should've RTFM first, apparently you can just hit the button for 4HI. And Toyota recommends 10 miles of that per month to keep everything lubed. I'm going to head over to a friend's house up north of ATL weekend after Thanksgiving. Was chatting with him a few hours ago about this thread and he reminded me he and a couple of guys he works with have a some favorite holes they like to hit just outside Kennesaw and another near Canton. Planning to ride along with them, chuck it into 4LO and get some pointers. Figure it's better to run through the motions now once or twice before I actually need it. Thanks again everyone for your input. I appreciate it. Attached Images __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

11-16-2019, 12:38 PM	#30
1976gmc20 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Montana Posts: 3,696	Re: 4WD for dummies Well I don't know anything about your Toyota but I wouldn't ever use 4wd on pavement unless it is snow covered. Even on dry gravel I don't like to run my conventional "part-time" 4wd vehicles in 4wd. Exception would be if your pickup has a center differential which in that case 4wd really is just AWD. The manual should state if that is the case, though who knows what is lost in the translation __________________ Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner

11-16-2019, 08:06 PM	#32
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 4WD for dummies I'd find a dirt road or at least wait till it rains to run the routine 4wd period __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-16-2019, 10:49 PM	#33
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,796	Re: 4WD for dummies If you're just wondering if the 4WD engages, you can find out quickly on dry pavement. Put it in 4hi and start a slow turn. You'll feel the front tires scrubbing. Don't drive it that way very far, though. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson



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