How often do you use 4L?

[got3fords]

I’ll go out on a limb and say…. He’s never read the manual?

LOL! I guess not.

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[got3fords]

I only need it a few times a year to drive up the steep hill in my back yard so I don't tear up the grass. About once a month I'll shift into 4-hi and sometimes 4-low and just drive down my street to keep the electric shift motor and transfer case exercised. Dry pavement won't hurt it if you're going straight.
People who say they can't shift into 4wd, if you ask them, they will always admit that they haven't used it in years if at all.

I will also use the diff locker once in a while.

 

[ControlNode]

I engage 4L every oil change, I use it to idle up and down the ramps I use for the oil changes. I feel regular engagement also prevents it from not working when you may actually need it, or if there is an issue, finding out when it's not needed. Only other time I used it was when a trailer I needed to pull was in the ground a little from sitting, so 4L and gentle rock/pull and it was out.

 

[_TraMor]

I use mine almost every time I'm off road, I live in the mountains so it's incredibly helpful for climbing and moreso for descents.

 

[Motorpsychology]

I used it quite a bit last year on a trip through the Grand Staircase National Monument. 64 miles and took 5 1/2 hours. There were a few sections of narrow trail with rock outcroppings, and I used 4L and Trail Control for the win. I set the TC for 3mph which allowed me to concentrate on steering and picking my line. We go up the Gunflint & Sawbill Trails a couple times a year and I'll put it in 4L for a stretch on some of the USFS roads just to keep it limbered up.

 

[Frenchy]

I’ll go out on a limb and say…. He’s never read the manual?

Let's be honest. Percentage wize you know the amount of individuals that actually read the owner's manual are very low!!

 

[JohnnyO]

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?

About once a month just driving the last block down the street to my house. Just to exercise the transfer case. Dry pavement won't hurt it for a short distance as long as you're driving perfectly straight.
If you drive forever without using 4wd then it might not be there when you need it. The electric shift motor on the transfer case will freeze up from lack of use.
Otherwise I use 4L a few times a year going up the hill into my back yard so I don't tear up the grass.

 

[VAMike]

Let's be honest. Percentage wize you know the amount of individuals that actually read the owner's manual are very low!!

for a 2019 ranger it doesn't matter because the manual was so error ridden anyway...

 

[Frenchy]

for a 2019 ranger it doesn't matter because the manual was so error ridden anyway...

Still matters as it still gives a lot of good information overall. You can find out a lot about one vehicle when you take time to read the owner's manual.

 

[Trustable]

Not very much. I try to do it for a bit up and down my five hundred dirt/gravel foot driveway every few months. I think I’ve actually used it once when I slipped off my driveway into the ditch two winters ago. That plus the diff lock made short work of it.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

I put it in 4H once a month and 4L occasionally just because of the way that it changes the gearing for low range.
Then when it does this out here once or sometimes twice a year...........

4L is required just to climb up the driveway and onto the road because the snow has turned into ice.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

I put it in 4L one time off-road just to see if it works.

 

[airline tech]

Even if you do not actually need it - it is a good idea to cycle and engage 4-Lo and Hi every so often just to keep everything moving freely.
Moreso the T-Case Shift Motor due to its exposure to the elements.

 

[Grandaccess]

I use 4H a few times a week, and 4L maybe once a month, actually use not just test LOL

 

[Grandaccess]

I put it in 4H once a month and 4L occasionally just because of the way that it changes the gearing for low range.
Then when it does this out here once or sometimes twice a year...........

4L is required just to climb up the driveway and onto the road because the snow has turned into ice.

Why would you need 4H for something a 2by car could go through?

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