4WD Advice please!

[jblc]

Most may be aware of this but....
One thing not mentioned so far about low traction surfaces.
The Ranger allows you to skip low gear from a stop which makes it simple to get moving in most low traction situations. This is reminiscent of the early C4 Cruise-o-matic or the FMX select shift.
It works great on 2WD, but it can be used effectively with a 4WD truck as well.

Interesting -- what's the process for skipping a low gear?

Sponsored

 

[HarryManback]

The early 2000's F150s had a vacuum system on the for axle. I saw it when I looked up the parts for my brothers 99. not rotating the front driveline in 2wd added 1 mpg to the highway mpg. maybe a tad more.

My 2013 F150 had the vacuum operated hubs. After 8 years, <50k miles they both failed to fully disengage.

 

[KNI]

Interesting -- what's the process for skipping a low gear?

Just set the drive mode from the drive mode selector to snow and it will skip the low gear. Same time it will put in the softer gas pedal mapping to assist in the crawling start.


Oh.. Raptor only, coming in 6G

 

[jblc]

Just set the drive mode from the drive mode selector to snow and it will skip the low gear. Same time it will put in the softer gas pedal mapping to assist in the crawling start.


Oh.. Raptor only, coming in 6G

Ah, I see...I have 2WD, so no snow mode. I had thought the process you mentioned applied to 2wd, but misread what the "it" was in your post ("It works great on 2WD, but it can be used effectively with a 4WD truck as well.")

 

[Floyd]

Interesting -- what's the process for skipping a low gear?

Mine is 2WD as well...
Maybe I used the wrong terminology, but simply put the shift in "S" when at a stop.
You can then "upshift" with the "+" button . You will then drive off in the selected "2nd" gear.

(More transmission info on page 148 in the owner's manual )

 

[Radioman]

check out this pdf. it has some great info on using 4x4 and off road driving. it does have some advertising promo junk, dont let that ruin it lol .

https://dcadprod.azureedge.net/b2c-...panj-bfg-offroadguide-singlepages-webonly.pdf

This is a pretty good guide for newcomers to off-roading.

 

[9zero1790]

This is a pretty good guide for newcomers to off-roading.

wish i could take credit for it ! but it all goes to bfg and bibendum (michelin owns bfg now)

 

[benandluna]

I understand it won’t work on dry roads. And best not to use on rain. But when I go to places like tahoe and it’s snowing and the speed cap is about 15 mph it should perform better right ?
I had a 12 wrangler and when I went to Tahoe one year every other car in my party was sliding around in Subarus and other awds. Soon as I came to a stop. Put it in 4x4 my jeep was a tank. No slipping at all when giving it a little gas.
That seems like it would be the correct use right? Also some trails I hike at are pretty muddy and I wouldn’t call it off roading but the dirt turned to mud would be a great time to use as well right ?

 

[Radioman]

I understand it won’t work on dry roads. And best not to use on rain. But when I go to places like tahoe and it’s snowing and the speed cap is about 15 mph it should perform better right ?
I had a 12 wrangler and when I went to Tahoe one year every other car in my party was sliding around in Subarus and other awds. Soon as I came to a stop. Put it in 4x4 my jeep was a tank. No slipping at all when giving it a little gas.
That seems like it would be the correct use right? Also some trails I hike at are pretty muddy and I wouldn’t call it off roading but the dirt turned to mud would be a great time to use as well right ?

Basically correct. 4 X 4 in your vehicles is safe to use as long you are driving on surfaces that will the tires to slip a bit to keep the drivetrain from binding, especially when not driving in a straight line. I 80 to Tahoe and Truckee has lots of turns as you know.

 

[Floyd]

S will remove the traction controls, so you now have to be even more gingerly with the go fast pedal.
I have found I can lay down a significant rubber strip when doing the 2nd gear start in S on drive pavement.
On something slippery, there's going to be some significant tire speed built up pretty fast if you let it get away from you.

Not my experience at all ,
I find that "off the line" traction and acceleration is enhanced on low traction surfaces by upshifting to second gear at a stop.
Of course, hard acceleration is always counterproductive on a slick surface.
The trick is to not induce wheel spin and certainly to avoid "letting it get away from you"
Choosing a higher gear and a light touch on the accelerator facilitates this.
Manual transmissions have had that advantage forever, this just adds a level of control to the automatic... (dependent of course on driver skill.)

Winter is soon upon us and each Ranger driver will likely have the opportunity to see how well it works when needed. With very little practice, most will see the utility of it.

The additional control offered by a manual transmission is a good part of why I have not needed 4WD all these years. Electronic traction control is superfluous if your right foot provides it

 

[IdahoRanger]

First Ranger, first 4WD and I'm really happy but it has occurred to me that I really have no idea what the capabilities are.
One of the selling points for 4wd is added safety during adverse weather conditions. I figured four on the floor would help especially in rain but now I see that Ford doesn't recommend 4X on pavement. Huh?
So I'd appreciate your feedback readers. Can I use 4X Hi without problems on paved surfaces? Am I looking at potential tranny problems now or in the future?
I grew up a mile down a dirt/ mud road and that's more off roading than most people I know. I suppose what I'm asking is that if I'm not an off roader, did I kinda waste $ on 4x?

I made a short video of driving in two wheel drive. Did not switch into 4WD until you see me bobble around 3:45 of the video.

 

[Skit hjälm]

So this guy says 4HI is an option for heavy rain? But all the other posters say no to that?

What that guy says maybe true for him.
Notice the body details.
That’s not a N.America Ranger.

 

[Cabose-1]

Yeah, unless you off road a lot. Wasted money. More maintenance too.

 

[Cabose-1]

Or you live in a location that isn’t just flat and dry. Lot more country out there than the small state of Texas.

I was going to explain why it was a waste, but.............
I know its been beat over the head here on this forum. I can only say why I dont need it.
29k miles and 11 months, driving in snow, beach sand, mud, deer lease, and road, paved and unpaved. In the mountain trails of Colorado, 4x4 would have made my drive easy! Easy trails of course. Think subaru trails, not tremor trails. I have all weather tires, not terrain
I was on vacation so 4x4 really not needed. Same with deer lease, 4x4 would be easy. Side steps hit everything, nothing momentum cant handle, at the deer lease 20 to 30 days a year.
Beach, south padre island, 4x4 would make it easy, but i am only there 7, 8 days of the year, tire pressure, and following other pickup lines make the driving easier, with speed and momentum.
Mud, speed and momentum.

So ok 4x4 would make life easier, but as of yet, i have only NEEDED 4X4 ONCE. On dry land sunny day 100 degrees on pavement!!
Reversing a loaded trailer up a steep incline into my garage! HAHA! Smoked some rubber making the computer work hard with the rear brakes to get the non spinning tire to turn.
I can't tell others what to do, i can only say why i dont heve 4x4. I dont NEED it. It would make life easy, but for the 20 hours a year it would be in 4x4, i dont justify the cost, or need.

Thats why i just posted waste. Waste for me anyway. 85 percent of my time in a costco parking lot.

Woo, that was long.

 

[Dgc333]

Automotive purchases are all about what we want not what we need. It is only when finances get in the way that we start justifying not getting something.

If finances were not a consideration I would be driving a RAM TRX for my truck and a C8 Corvette Roadster for my car.

Do I need a Ranger Lariat Tremor with every option? Hell no, a stripo 2wd XL would serve me just fine but I can afford the Lariat Tremor, so I got it. Has nothing to do with how much I will use the features.

Sponsored