Question about 4L - XLT FX4 locking rear diff

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

I think the Ranger does, and if you use slippery or rock crawl mode, it should be damping the throttle further.

Thanks. Can’t wait to try out a modern auto in 4wd low on a tight trail.

Maybe operating trans with paddle shifters or manual mode is best to pick a comfortable gear.

Would love to hear from someone with modern auto Ranger experience.

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[JDCV67]

4L is generally only for first gear crawling. I'm 66 years old and have never shifted out of first gear in 4L.

 

[DutchRanger]

I was taught to keep it in 1st gear in 4L. And never go above 10mph, which in 1st gear is probably near redline. I use 4L with crawl control 2 or 3 mph

 

[MasterCylinder]

I have never driven an automatic transmission in 4wd low.

I have driven a manual transmission in 4wd low.

In lower gears especially, you had to be very easy just stepping on the gas.

Really, anything below 3rd was extreme.

I suspect at least part of the roughness is due to a lack of calibrating your foot to proper 4wd low throttle application.

I know it was a shock to my foot calibration first time I drove 4wd low.

Feather touch or balloon touch on the throttle.

It was actually difficult to be smooth in a 2004, 4wd Diesel pickup or even a 1986 Bronco 2 in lower gears. The slightest touch rev’d the engine a couple hundred rpm’s

Lower gears were for crawling over logs or rocks. 3rd and 4th were for steep ups and downs where precision speed control was desired.

It definitely took practice on the throttle in those old manual vehicles.

Maybe the newer vehicles have drive by wire circuits that lessen fuel pedal sensitivity in 4wd low. If they did, that would probably be a good idea, because that first 1/4 inch was a bang.

My old 5.0l bronco was an excellent stump puller in low!

 

[daytoncarter]

4L is generally only for first gear crawling. I'm 66 years old and have never shifted out of first gear in 4L.

The irony is that the Ranger starts in 2nd gear when in 4L, don't know if you noticed that little detail

 

[Boomerrang]

Most of my 4L driving is in 4th or 5th gear. Some times 6th. You really have to be easy on the throttle or it will shift hard. Have driven about 150 miles in low range so far. Most of the time I use manual mode with or without rear locker. Don't like or use the other driving modes. When it's time to use the rear locker I want to engage. With 10 speed trans and low range you don't need any other modes. Just more stuff to go wrong when you are in the middle of nowhere. Have given the transfer a real work out. Have never driven anything in low range that didn't shift hard. My new Ranger is no longer a virgin

 

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

If 4L is required, the trail or obstacle and desired speed determines the correct gear. Sensible rev limits determine maximum speed in a particular gear.

This is basically what you do in 4H but the reduced gear magnifies available torque tremendously so you don’t have to worry about lugging the engine as much if at all.

The vehicle’s I owned with manuals told you to stay out of the overdrive gear which was 5th in that old Bronco ll or 6th in the Dodge. Modern auto’s typically have several overdrive gears, don’t know if they want you to stay out of those gears.

In those vehicles in low range, basically every gear was still lower than first in 4H.

Driving a manual definitely makes correct gear selection way more important than in an auto since you get zero slip once the clutch is out.

I won’t own a manual 4wd again because auto’s are way easier to deal with and work pretty damn good with 8 to 10 speeds available compared to the 3 we used to get.

 

[gtyates]

The only time I use 4L is when my very steep driveway is ice covered or when staying at cabins in the mountains with snow/ice covered driveways. Yes, the overall driving feel is very different in 4L. If you are driving 18-20 mph then 4H should be sufficient.

 

[telenerd]

Sounds like you need to go off-road! Try exploring sometime. Plenty of trails in the US to explore!

 

[Ron Quixote]

You don’t have to stay in 1st gear in 4-Lo. You can drive around all day in it if you want, letting the transmission shift into whatever gear it wants. There are plenty of trails where you’ll stay in 4-Lo for several miles.

 

[Boomerrang]

You don’t have to stay in 1st gear in 4-Lo. You can drive around all day in it if you want, letting the transmission shift into whatever gear it wants. There are plenty of trails where you’ll stay in 4-Lo for several miles.

How about many hours in 4lo!

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