Top speed in 4wd High

gcextreme · #1 12-16-2012, 11:00 AM

Ok dumb question..
What is the recommended top speed while driving in 4WD High??
Isn't it like 45-50mph?

What's the recommended top speed for engaging and disengaging 4wd high?

01_ranger_4x4 · #2 12-16-2012, 11:06 AM

55 MPH is the max speed to engage the 4x4 however the 4x4 speed is limited only by how fast you can safely travel in conditions needing 4x4. In other words, it has no top speed limit.

bear_claw_91 · #3 12-16-2012, 11:08 AM

I thought it was recommended to not go over 50 mph in 4x4 high....

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01_ranger_4x4 · #4 12-16-2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbachjr

I thought it was recommended to not go over 50 mph in 4x4 high....

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There is nowhere in the manual that says anything about top speed in 4x4. There is no reason at all that the 4x4 system cant operate as fast as the rest of the drivetrain.

gcextreme · #5 12-16-2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01_ranger_4x4

55 MPH is the max speed to engage the 4x4 however the 4x4 speed is limited only by how fast you can safely travel in conditions needing 4x4. In other words, it has no top speed limit.

ok..
I have manual lockouts, does that affect the top speed at which I can engage the 4wd high?

obviuosuly the weather conditions play an effect...no need to have it in 4wd and driving 70..lol.

I ask because I live 15 miles from town, take the back roads, they are paved, but are snowy and icy...and I keep it in 2wd and go about 45-50, im not in a hurry, but I always seem to get passed by small cars and other big trucks going 60+.
The other nite I got passed by a little red Honda, only to find him in the ditch a few miles ahead...
Just wanting to know if I can go 55 or 60 im 4wd high and not damage anything..

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I know you dont wanna drive fast in 4 low.

01_ranger_4x4 · #6 12-16-2012, 11:20 AM

Your lock outs have no effect on top speed. You likely have them locked in in the winter anyways which makes it essentially the same as the 01+ rangers with the live axle. In that case your CV shafts and front driveshaft is already spinning the same speed as the rest of the drivetrain, only thing happening at that point is the transfer case locking the front DS to the rear DS.

Skylark65 · #7 12-16-2012, 11:23 AM

when i drove through a few snow storms with my truck, i'd usually run along in 4hi at about 35-40 MPH on the straight, mostly flat roads... backroads usually kept it around 25- 30 MPH. about 35 miles, through both towns and windy mountian roads, in 4hi the entire time. having the truck in 4x4 really made it more sure-footed, but usually in the snow stopping is more the problem, so i kept my pace fairly slow and steady.

gcextreme · #8 12-16-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01_ranger_4x4

Your lock outs have no effect on top speed. You likely have them locked in in the winter anyways which makes it essentially the same as the 01+ rangers with the live axle. In that case your CV shafts and front driveshaft is already spinning the same speed as the rest of the drivetrain, only thing happening at that point is the transfer case locking the front DS to the rear DS.

Yep true..i knew that...i just didn't know if top speed for engaging was due to the hubs locking or due to the t-case....

Like I said...i don't drive in a hurry, just wondering if I could go 50-55-60mph with it in 4high..
Specially with my big wide tires, 33x12.5...in snow they grip fine, but not on packed ice roads...and 4wd on them makes a world of difference..

bear_claw_91 · #9 12-16-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01_ranger_4x4

There is nowhere in the manual that says anything about top speed in 4x4. There is no reason at all that the 4x4 system cant operate as fast as the rest of the drivetrain.

Ah ok. I haven't looked in the manual. Just going off what the dealer had said. Not that dealers ever know what they're talking about lol. Learning more reasons every day not to trust a word they say.

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pooleo · #10 12-16-2012, 11:48 AM

I only drive about 65 anyhow......and in 4wd usually im only going about 50-55. But like others have said, shouldn't be an issue.

Perhaps it might be a factor if your on dry pavement in the middle of summer going 75...but what the hell would one need 4wd for!

Monkeee2002 · #11 12-16-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcextreme

ok..
I have manual lockouts, does that affect the top speed at which I can engage the 4wd high?

obviuosuly the weather conditions play an effect...no need to have it in 4wd and driving 70..lol.

I ask because I live 15 miles from town, take the back roads, they are paved, but are snowy and icy...and I keep it in 2wd and go about 45-50, im not in a hurry, but I always seem to get passed by small cars and other big trucks going 60+.
The other nite I got passed by a little red Honda, only to find him in the ditch a few miles ahead...
Just wanting to know if I can go 55 or 60 im 4wd high and not damage anything..

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I know you dont wanna drive fast in 4 low.

I love seeing those "speed demons" get a lesson in traction loss LoL!

Just keep in mind that just because a big truck can go 65, it doesn't mean YOU can go 65. He may have better tires, or studs. And he's got more weight. More weight helps keep things in control.
Good luck & stay safe!

gcextreme · #12 12-16-2012, 12:02 PM

Yeah really, u think the drivers of those cars would think..."hey this guy in this big 4x4 truck is going slow..i wonder why.." that's because it's icy and slippery and he doesn't want to end up in the ditch or wrecked..but nope they think "man this guy is slow...im gonna pass him"
And then when they end up in the ditch and they see that slow 4x4 truck just drive by them and leave their ass stranded and stuck, I wonder what they are thinking lol.

Redneckstone · #13 12-16-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcextreme

I know you dont wanna drive fast in 4 low.

4low you will actually run out of gears/revs is what limits you around 50ish depending on your gearing. Being 4low splits the gears to do say 35 your in a higher gear then 4high/2wd

Just remember because you can go in 4x4 doesn't mean you can stop

Monkeee2002 · #14 12-16-2012, 12:05 PM

Also, keep in mind that at 55mph, a 15 mile commute will only be like a few minutes longer than if you went 65.
How much are you willing to risk to save yourself that miniscule amount of time?

gcextreme · #15 12-16-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeee2002

Also, keep in mind that at 55mph, a 15 mile commute will only be like a few minutes longer than if you went 65.
How much are you willing to risk to save yourself that miniscule amount of time?

yep true...thats why I don't drive in a hurry..
I just wonder if I can drove 50-55 in 4wd rather than 2wd...and not damage anything in the truck.