thanks you for your replies

[ri...@liberty.com]

Now that I snow is here, I can go out and have fun.

Since I do a combination of snow-covered roads, and clear highways, is
there a maximum safe speed (for the mechanics) that 4WD can be used?

Gotta print an save these posts.

Thanks to all for your comments.

[Jo Baggs]

<ri...@liberty.com> wrote in message
news:3kbgi5h89i4vun3jn...@4ax.com...

Truth in lending, I'm no mechanic. I'm pretty sure there's no maximum safe
speed for 4 wheel high. You are only limited to how fast your rig will take
you. However, driving in snow can be treacherous for 2 and 4 wheel
vehicles. Always remember, 4 wheel drive doesn't make you stop any better
or faster than 2 wheel drive in any condition including snow or hard
pavement.. Be careful driving in snow and slow down.

[RoyJ]

The drive train will take a much higher speed than the idiot behind the
wheel should be driving. Anything over 30 mph or 40 mph means that you
are driving too fast to need (or want) 4wd. If the road is smooth enough
that you can drive 60, the increased traction from 4wd just makes you
more likely to spin out. Technically speaking, almost all of the
components in the drive train are spinning if you are doing 60 or more,
just that they are not hooked up to the road.

[Jo Baggs]

"RoyJ" <spam...@microsoft.net> wrote in message
news:R7SdnUHEeJhH1LXW...@earthlink.com...

Roy,
great point. If you drive 60+, why do you need 4WD in the first place?
Unless of course your in some kind of snow race, in which case you better
have a full cage roll bar and wear a helmet.
Rick, mechanically speaking, driving fast will not hurt your drive train if
it's in 4WD. However, If you're driving on hard pavement, I would disengage
the 4WD and go to 2WD to save wear on the drive train. Under no
circumstances should you drive on hard pavement in 4WD Low. That will
damage the drive train.

[PeterD]

Your M1A1 tank should be safe at all speeds. Of course, I had to guess
as to whether you had the A1 version or not, so if it is not an M1A1,
you just *may* want to tell everyone exactly what you are driving.

Also how long have you been driving.

Please "do not go out and have some fun" on public roads... You
probaly will hurt someone. Do it on private property, with permission.

[RoyJ]

> great point.

Wow, someone agreed with me. Unheard of!! :)

If you drive 60+, why do you need 4WD in the first place?
> Unless of course your in some kind of snow race, in which case you better
> have a full cage roll bar and wear a helmet.
> Rick, mechanically speaking, driving fast will not hurt your drive train if
> it's in 4WD. However, If you're driving on hard pavement, I would disengage
> the 4WD and go to 2WD to save wear on the drive train.

UH no..... 4wd either high or low on bare pavement can grenade the
transfer case. You CAN NOT run part time 4wd on any hard surface without
binding up the transfer case, driveshafts, and axles.

[Will Honea]

RoyJ wrote:

> UH no.....  4wd either high or low on bare pavement can grenade the
> transfer case. You CAN NOT run part time 4wd on any hard surface without
> binding up the transfer case, driveshafts, and axles.

You can get by with for short - and I mean really short, like pulling a boat
straight up the ramp out of the water - distances but I agree with the rule
of thumb being NONE.

If you want the worst case, take a look at your tire marks in a hard turn.
The outside wheels travel in a significantly longer arc than the inside
wheels and the rear end cuts inside the arc of the front end. All 4 wheels
travel different distances and the poor transfer case was built assuming
all 4 wheels travel the same distance. Even in loose gravel you can have
problems shifting out of 4WD unless you are moving.

--
Will Honea

[Jo Baggs]

"RoyJ" <spam...@microsoft.net> wrote in message

news:tfWdnXN14Y_rZ7XW...@earthlink.com...

I stand corrected. No driving on hard surface in 4WD.

[RoyJ]

The lady next door drove her S10 Blazer around in 4wd all winter, as
long as there was snow on the ground, every year. It "gave her a feeling
of confidence" she said. When asked, she did say it got harder to steer
in the winter, she thought the power steering was stiff. Only thing I
can figure was the the small stock tires with their hard rubber had low
traction on frozen, salt encrusted pavement

[Earle Horton]

That's what full time four wheel drive is for. I have driven part time
enough on snow to know, that any feeling of security that I have isn't real.
It's good for keeping from getting stuck, but when it breaks loose you are
in trouble.

Earle

"RoyJ" <spam...@microsoft.net> wrote in message

news:urudnXqS58s67bTW...@earthlink.com...

[RoyJ]

My 'other' truck has full time 4wd, switches to the part time 4wd and
4wd-lo as requested. Jeep gets stored for the winter, too dangerous to
drive with the big mud tires.