Shifting the transfer case

[IA7.3]

I have the truck in my signature with the manual transfer case, my question is at what maximum speed can i shift it from 2x4 to 4x4?
I know my old mans 6.NO can be electronically shifted in at any speed so im not sure on mine...

Thanks

[taylorking]

Why would you want to do that?

I always put my truck in Neutral before I engage 4 wheel drive.

[dieselcrawler]

If you already have your hubs locked in, it shouldn't matter what speed you shift, as long as the front wheels and rear wheels are going the same speed, as in, not spinning the rears, fronts sitting still, or going slower. If going slow, (5 to 10 MPH) I will even shift into/out of low range, slowly. Grinds a little, but that's where the 'slowly' part comes in, 'ease it in' to let the gears mesh. If in high range, just going into or out of 4x4, neutral shouldn't matter, but to each his own. But I ALWAYS shift the trans to neutral when going in and out of low range.

[Zaairman]

Owners manual says up to 55 MPH. I think that's a bit fast.

[dannanw]

I have always stopped cause I dont like the grinding sound lol

[NoRalPh]

Shouldn't have a grinding noise in 4WD-Hi (Low will and that should only be done at a complete stop).

I ease mine into 4WD-Hi (off the throttle) at anything less than HiWay speeds all the time without a problem or even a shake of the lever.

[IA7.3]

Well i want to know and would shift from 2 to 4wd if the road got rough, snow, started getting squirrely. With snow coming thats the biggest concern. But that raises another question, i thought locking in the front diff was only when you needed both wheels to pull? I didnt think it was a hub lock in thing just a differtial lock?

[NoRalPh]

First, the ft diif is an "open" diff, no locking.... The hubs lock in & out to freewheel the front end, mostly for fuel mileage I think.

And, yes, driving around in the winter with snow on the ground, as long as the hubs are locked (in wintery areas most leave manual hubs locked for the season) you can shift from 2wd/4wd as the conditions change while rolling down the road.

You kinda should, I mean as you go from back roads to well sanded or even dry roads, be managing the 2/4wd as needed. You Never really want to spend anytime on a dry road with good traction while in 4wd.. The ft diff may be open but the TransferCase is not!

[dieselcrawler]

Originally Posted by NoRalPh

First, the ft diif is an "open" diff, no locking.... The hubs lock in & out to freewheel the front end, mostly for fuel mileage I think.

And, yes, driving around in the winter with snow on the ground, as long as the hubs are locked (in wintery areas most leave manual hubs locked for the season) you can shift from 2wd/4wd as the conditions change while rolling down the road.

You kinda should, I mean as you go from back roads to well sanded or even dry roads, be managing the 2/4wd as needed. You Never really want to spend anytime on a dry road with good traction while in 4wd.. The ft diff may be open but the TransferCase is not!

Well said, I agree.

[zpd307]

my old 90 and now my 99 both have manual hubs. once the snows come, i leave the hubs locked in all winter long. that way i can just put in 4 wheel when needed. ie: icy intersection, drifting snow on the roads, ice storm, etc. without having to stop and get out to lock the hubs. you can shift into 4 wheel at any speeds as long as you are not spinning the rear wheels. the owners manual says 55mph because why would anybody be driving anything over 55 while needing 4 wheel..... yes there are idiots out there that do, but they are usually the ones in the ditch or rolled over and then i have to sit behind them with my cherries on and dont drive in 4 wheel at highway speeds when the roads are dry.