Re: 4x4 questions

That has not been my experience, but I'll double check my 2002 SD.

• * * Matt Macchiarolo
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  "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." -Edward R. Murrow

What if I just leave the hubs in the 'lock' position? Will tah wear anything out or cause any other problems?

I still suspect that there is another issue. It's going back Sat for service...thank god for a warranty on used trucks.

Most likely a vaccuum issue. BT, DT.

• * * Matt Macchiarolo
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  "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." -Edward R. Murrow

You won't hurt anything if you leave your hubs in "Lock." Your front axle and driveshaft will spin, so you might see a slight decrease in fuel economy, but you won't cause any serious damage or anything.

• * * Matt Macchiarolo
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  "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." -Edward R. Murrow

I thought using 4-wheel drive on dry roads was a no no?

"XLanManX" wrote

front axle and

You *aren't* in 4WD until you "engage the transfer case to 4WD" via a knob/switch/shift lever.

Locking the hubs makes the front tires rotate the axles/front differential/ front driveshaft; but there's no power from the engine involved. There's no "big damage" ; but long-term running with the hubs "locked" in 2WD does cause "funny" front tire wear and some braking/handling impairment .

"using 4-wheel drive on dry roads was a no no" is "situational". The main problem is "torque bind" . Google on that; you'll see. There are times when you just have to "do what works" .

I drive a F550 crewcab 4x4 at work; my own ride is an '88 Bronco II ; wife's car is a Soobie Outback Sport (the little one) . I've driven the old M37 power wagons; M715s; owned an M38A1; M35 (deuce and a half) ; M151's; HMMV's and even an old '42 GMC miltary surplus Navy SeaBee 6x6 dumptruck on the farm at age 6; hauling sugarbeets.

Ah ha, thanks for the lesson and clarification. I didn't know all that.

Depends on the vehicle and depends on your definition of impairment. Look at more recent Jeep vehicles, many have permanenty locked front axles, in that there is no factory lockout mechanism...every Jeep Cherokee since '92 or '93, every Grand Cherokee ever made, and every Wrangler since 1997.

I had to drive my Superduty with the hubs locked permanently for a while last fall/winter because I had a faulty auto hub...it would lock on its own, and one side locked is worse than both sides. Took a couple visits to the dealer to fix. The only noticeble effect was you could feel the axle U joints bind a bit when the wheels were steered to full lock...that's how I noticed it to begin with.

• * * Matt Macchiarolo
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  "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." -Edward R. Murrow