Using 4wd to slow down

Muddydogs wrote:
I have to say that most of you guys have no idea what you're talking about.

First most new pickups have auto locking hubs which means when you engage the 4x4 stick or switch in the cab the hubs engage as well.

Ford does have auto and manual hubs in one package. Why Ford did this is for the convenience of auto hubs but when you bury the truck in a hole and can't roll the truck enough to get the hubs locked in one can get out and lock them in.

Using 4lo to ascend or descend a steep forest road is not foolish at all. All your doing is gearing down the transmission getting more torque or power to the wheels. Yes the front end is locked in and on pavement if you make a sharp turn the wheels will hop as there spinning together so don't make sharp turns, heck even just having a rig in 4 hi will cause tire bind on pavement.

I guess that none of you have had to crawl up a steep road with the trailer in tow, well if you can only go 4 or so miles an hour up the hill with your foot on the floor try shifting in 4lo then select a transmission gear that gets you the torque and speed you want. Same works for doing down hill, shift into 4lo then select a transmission gear that keeps your speed down so you are only touching the brakes a little.

4lo and first gear in the transmission will get you about 3 or so miles an hour before everything starts winding up, 4lo and 5th gear will get you around 25 miles an hour before wind up. Most manufacturers recommend keeping your speed under 25 mph when in 4lo.

It amazes me some of the answers people give on this forum that have probably never even had a pickup in 4lo. Obviously most of the guys that have posted have never towed down a steep 5mph forest road for 10 miles or more.

I agree 100%, but I got the impression the OP was talking about driving on pavement. Of course you don't use 4WD high or low on pavement. Unless it's snowpacked. Do people really not understand this concept?!? Eegads! 4WD IS FOR OFF ROAD!