How often do you use 4L?

[KNI]

I was again doing some forest work as now is the best time to cut trees, days are getting longer and weather is getting about right to do that. Driving to the forest is challenging even in summer and in winter/spring you get extra enjoyment of snow and mud.

Before I plowed to the forest I turned on 4L. And that got me thinking how ofter people really need 4L.

I use it couple of time a week during forest stuff, but outside of that I use it next to none.

How about you?

Sponsored

 

[AzScorpion]

Being in AZ for the last 10 years I hardly ever got a chance to use 4wd unless we were up in Sedona or away on vacation. I mostly use 4H and rarely us 4L. I've used it a couple times while off road climbing some steep rocky hills but other than that 4H seems to do everything I need. Maybe living here in AR I'll have a chance to use it more once I find some good trails and I'm sure with all the rain here there will be plenty of mud.

 

[Joeiconic]

I use 4h almost weekly, but I can’t remember the last time I was in 4L.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Ivery rarely use 4L. I did use it last year in a few stretches when we went through the Grand Staircase National Monument, in conjunction with the Trail Control. I set it for 3-5mph and let it take over while I picked my way through rock outcroppings.
There is a USFS road that joins the Gunflint trail in northern MN right before a rocky stream bank and a shallow water crossing and I use both there. I probably don't need either, but if ya got it, use it.

 

[Tom_C]

I used it the first time last week in about a foot of snow, trying to back up a slight slope. I have used in in my old truck for snow and sand, but that's it. It's there if needed but rarely used.

 

[Fordup]

Never. I miss 4 wheel drive auto my last truck had.

 

[Dereku]

I used it once in my powerstroke 20 years ago. To pull 2 trucks out of a mud pit at once. Just for better throttle control.

On the ranger, I will save it for when I want to destroy my front differential.

 

[dozxab]

I put it in 4L once, just to see if it worked. Crazy how it changes the shift points.

 

[Retirednavy2010]

I was again doing some forest work as now is the best time to cut trees, days are getting longer and weather is getting about right to do that. Driving to the forest is challenging even in summer and in winter/spring you get extra enjoyment of snow and mud.

Before I plowed to the forest I turned on 4L. And that got me thinking how ofter people really need 4L.

I use it couple of time a week during forest stuff, but outside of that I use it next to none.

How about you?

Down in Florida unless you're mudding we don't use 4wd. I put mine in 4 wheel high twice and low once to pull out some shrub roots. I had a buddy who had a Hummer H2 who didn't switch modes at all for 2 years and when he did the selinoid didn't work. He was told to switch from 2 to 4H and 4L once every 6 months just to make sure everything's working correctly. I do the same, 4H and 4L in some sand just to exercise the units.

 

[Grandaccess]

Once a month at least
My last Ford was a PITA to come out of 4L so I didnt use it that often

 

[Jamie Jack]

Canada doesn't even sell 2WD Rangers. Never even knew that they existed until I came here. What's the purpose of buying a truck if you don't need 4x4?

Back to the question. Every month as a minimum. Machinery likes to be used to remain viable.

 

[dozxab]

What's the purpose of buying a truck if you don't need 4x4?

for my first Ranger, I needed something that was heavy duty enough to tow my side by side and small enough to fit in my garage. Also nice to have a bed big enough to make dump runs, pick up a new washing machine, etc. You can get 4x4 without a truck but you can't pick up a load of landscape mulch without one.

 

[QuickSilver]

I use 4L everytime I go off-road, hill climbs, descents, when I want lower gear for a slow crawl and more control.

I did get some hard shifts putting it in drive after shifting into 4L a few times, not sure if it should be a concern yet or not.

 

[Friday yet?]

I use it every couple of months. Simply to keep things working for the off chance I ever really need it. Pretty much the same for 4H.

 

[shovelhd]

I had a U-Haul tandem axle cargo trailer loaded with about a half ton of C&D debris from my son's house in Baltimore. The city operates public landfills where you can dump by the ton. They made me go up a single lane "road" on the side of the trash mountain in order to unload, then I had to back it all down in reverse. This "road" was an ungraded path full of potholes, tire ruts, and debris. I used 4L to keep traction on all four wheels. I did not lock the rear.

Sponsored