How often do you use 4L?

[brroberts]

Never, but I have a 2wd

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[Dr. Zaius]

In my area (North GA) we have mainly mud.

And for that you need wheel speed, so 4H.

I think I may have used 4L once going up a big hill, but I didn't really need it.

So once in 5 years?

 

[JesseS]

I do the Rubicon once or twice a year (fishing at Bucks Lake) and it is needed going thru big sluice, but other than that spot most of the trail can be 4H. The punchbowl can require 4L if it's raining or snowing.

 

[got3fords]

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.

Always a good idea to use it every once in awhile for that reason.

 

[got3fords]

I think I have used 4L only a few times. With my previous F150 we were shuttling a kayak trip and put it in 4L because we had a long stretch of muddy trail and could not afford to let the wheels start spinning. With the F150 and the Ranger I have used it once or twice to pull shrubs. And I used it once in the Ranger plowing snow when it got thick and 4H started spinning.
Bottom line for me, anytime I feel I am starting to get spin or otherwise start hanging up, 4L it is.

 

[Cabose-1]

I dont even use 4wd. It would make life easier on some of these roads and fields. I used 4 low in the old army trucks.
I have rear lockers, and those fit my life perfectly.

2022 xlt fx2

 

[Beach]

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?

Only times I use since getting my ‘19 are in snow and ice, I have a steep street to get up. Normally 4H is fine but sometimes L is needed

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

On steep grades or rocky roads where slow speeds work best.

4WD and 4LO Occasionally on a dirt road to keep things working.

 

[Andrew27]

I engage it every few months to make sure it still works, that’s it lol. Haven’t encountered a time to actually have to use it.

 

[reidmefirst]

I use 4lo when I'm hauling my boat out.

Our ramp is STEEP, the boat+trailer is ~6300 pounds. I just keep the wheels straight and use crawl control to go up the ramp at a leisurely 2ish mph. Once I'm over the top I shift into 2wd.

I tried to haul out at my ramp with a 2wd truck once, it did not go well. Rear tires are on slime at the bottom of the ramp, and like I said it is steep. I think 15% grade (9 degrees according to the off-road-ometer), and climbs ~150 vertical feet at that grade.

 

[reidmefirst]

Also like Andrew27 says: best to give a whirl every now and then. So you long as you go straight, I see no problem engaging it on pavement for a few feet. If you're paranoid, find a dirt lot to do it.

I like to switch my transfer case into 4hi and 4lo every once in a while, not because I think they need to be worked out or anything, but rather so that I know the electric shifter is still working and that nothing has gone wrong with the transfer case. I'd rather find out something is wrong when I don't actually need 4wd, than find out something is wrong when I DO need it.

 

[5thranger]

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?

I use it when driving up on ramps to change the oil that doesn't even need changed. I never off road and never use the Ranger as intended. It is such a diva, but I still love it.

 

[shovelhd]

I use 4lo when I'm hauling my boat out.

Our ramp is STEEP, the boat+trailer is ~6300 pounds. I just keep the wheels straight and use crawl control to go up the ramp at a leisurely 2ish mph. Once I'm over the top I shift into 2wd.

I tried to haul out at my ramp with a 2wd truck once, it did not go well. Rear tires are on slime at the bottom of the ramp, and like I said it is steep. I think 15% grade (9 degrees according to the off-road-ometer), and climbs ~150 vertical feet at that grade.

Your boat ramp climbs 150 vertical feet? Holy crap. Where are you boating, in a quarry?

 

[got3fords]

Also like Andrew27 says: best to give a whirl every now and then. So you long as you go straight, I see no problem engaging it on pavement for a few feet. If you're paranoid, find a dirt lot to do it.

I like to switch my transfer case into 4hi and 4lo every once in a while, not because I think they need to be worked out or anything, but rather so that I know the electric shifter is still working and that nothing has gone wrong with the transfer case. I'd rather find out something is wrong when I don't actually need 4wd, than find out something is wrong when I DO need it.

Better to use it when not needed than to try to use it and find out it doesn't work due to, well, lack of use.

 

[Bob902]

Better to use it when not needed than to try to use it and find out it doesn't work due to, well, lack of use.

I tell my wife the same thing?

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