Worried

[D Fresh]

The amount of times this concern has come up around here tells me that maybe a quick tutorial of the primary switches, buttons, and knobs is in order for any new person driving their vehicle.

I know I at least try to become well acquainted with the primary controls in any new vehicle, whether someone explains it to me or not, before setting off.

Very good practice to maintain.

When we have to put a guy in a different truck at work the first few times I spend a quick second to explain the differences to them.

It helps protect the equipment and helps to settle the operators nerves about being in a different "office" all night.

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[D Fresh]

Op, you'll be fine.

I'd even say to take her to a parking lot, put it in 4 hi, and let her accelerate away while turning.

If you can teach her how to feel the bind of the front axle she'll be able to know if she's accidentally done it again.

 

[wanted33]

I wouldn't worry. As long as she didn't turn it hard and there wasn't any binding you will be good.

And if it ain't making any funny noises you should be fine.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

easy solution... don't let her drive it

 

[Cav10x]

What is wrong with driving in 4wd on pavement?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Nothing....if you go in a straight line

If you turn, because of gearing etc, the drivetrain binds up.
It adds stresses to the drivetrain and you either get a wheel hop, and jerky motion.
If the pavement is slippery with snow or ice, you don't notice it

Most people agree the drivetrain is robust enough to handle this, but if you do it often enough, clearly down the road you will see the result in wear.

Hi Steve,

RP is correct....a locked drive train will hop and otherwise tell you the drive train is unhappy. If you continue to do such, driveline failure is in your future. If you need 4 wheel drive all the time...then you need a All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle, not a Ranger. My Nautilus is AWD and I am concerned about the NVH of the drive train... Not certain we need it here, but that is what I got off the dealer lot.

Okay...another back story....I was only with Ford Light Truck Engineering for about half a year when I was given a task to build 6 AWD F250s.... AWD was the future. I thought it was cool and although it was fraught with problems, I produced 6 vehicles from build with the help of many people. A real learning process. The heart of the AWD was the New Process Gear (Chrysler) transfer case, which had an interaxle differential. The year was 1974. We put this powertrain into production and it failed miserable. No one wanted a work truck that was AWD...They wanted a 4x4. So we scrapped the whole thing, but there were trucks in the field...Rise to the occasion, the aftermarket developed conversions for the New Process Gear 203 to a true 4x4. Thank you Marketing who thought this would be all the rage! I was crushed as a new engineer that my heart, sole and dedication to a new product literally crashed. Quite a lesson for me...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[RedlandRanger]

Hi Steve,

RP is correct....a locked drive train will hop and otherwise tell you the drive train is unhappy. If you continue to do such, driveline failure is in your future. If you need 4 wheel drive all the time...then you need a All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle, not a Ranger. My Nautilus is AWD and I am concerned about the NVH of the drive train... Not certain we need it here, but that is what I got off the dealer lot.

Okay...another back story....I was only with Ford Light Truck Engineering for about half a year when I was given a task to build 6 AWD F250s.... AWD was the future. I thought it was cool and although it was fraught with problems, I produced 6 vehicles from build with the help of many people. A real learning process. The heart of the AWD was the New Process Gear (Chrysler) transfer case, which had an interaxle differential. The year was 1974. We put this powertrain into production and it failed miserable. No one wanted a work truck that was AWD...They wanted a 4x4. So we scrapped the whole thing, but there were trucks in the field...Rise to the occasion, the aftermarket developed conversions for the New Process Gear 203 to a true 4x4. Thank you Marketing who thought this would be all the rage! I was crushed as a new engineer that my heart, sole and dedication to a new product literally crashed. Quite a lesson for me...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

A great lesson in not only "building things right", but "building the right things". I gotta tell you, sometimes marketers seem WAY out of touch with reality....

 

[t4thfavor]

What is wrong with driving in 4wd on pavement?

There is no differential in the transfer case to allow the front wheels and back wheels to turn at different speeds when you’re turning so you will get binding and put lots of stress on critical driveline components. If the pavement is icy, wet, or muddy it lets the tires slip and release that binding stress.

 

[Cav10x]

There is no differential in the transfer case to allow the front wheels and back wheels to turn at different speeds when you’re turning so you will get binding and put lots of stress on critical driveline components. If the pavement is icy, wet, or muddy it lets the tires slip and release that binding stress.

Is that true for all 4x4 or just the ranger? Are vehicles like Jeeps built with heavier components?

 

[t4thfavor]

Is that true for all 4x4 or just the ranger? Are vehicles like Jeeps built with heavier components?

It’s true for all 4x4. The ranger has bigger axles than all but the rubicon jeep, and then only the front might be bigger in that. Ranger also has bigger axles than the new bronco. It’s only 4x4. Some jeeps have full time 4x4 which has a differential in the transfer case which can be locked, and other cars like Subaru have a center differential that always stays unlocked. Always unlocked center differential is called all wheel drive.

 

[D Fresh]

It’s true for all 4x4. The ranger has bigger axles than all but the rubicon jeep, and then only the front might be bigger in that. Ranger also has bigger axles than the new bronco. It’s only 4x4. Some jeeps have full time 4x4 which has a differential in the transfer case which can be locked, and other cars like Subaru have a center differential that always stays unlocked. Always unlocked center differential is called all wheel drive.

Just wanted to add that the good Subies do indeed offer a locking center diff.

 

[Megawatt]

If your truck was damaged you would know. Go in the grass or dirt and do 4wd, low, high, locker on/off etc. if damaged your ears will let you know. If your truck can’t perform in scenarios above you will know.

Couple years ago my wife accidentally turned on the rear locker in 2wd when leaving home. (Aftermarket Eaton locker, no auto speed disconnect). 100lb tire/wheel combo 35”. She came home and said the Jeep is really loud.

I turned off the locker, and nothing bad happen, no damage and everything still good years later. Absolutely not a good thing to do but if drivetrain didn’t grenade don’t over worry.

 

[ArchitectThom]

Women.

Can't live with them.

Can't let them drive your truck.

 

[Nick Barber]

This truck (++FX4 trim) almost needs a pre/post flight checklist...

Handbrake
Auto start stop
4x4
Diff lock
Gauge personalization / lighting
Radio station / link phone
Headlights auto/on/off
Lane keep
Seat position and mirrors (no user key memory)
Climate controls (no user key memory)

Probably missing some still. Our 2007 expedition had more memory than this truck.

Short story, wife won't even drive it, which could be a good thing but comes with some contempt.

 

[WOADKIL]

Have the same problem with my wife, something about twisting knobs that seems to happen instinctively.

Q: was she on all four wheels?

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