People with 4x4 experience come in

[310stanger]

2004 F-150 with the electronic 4x4.

ok front hubs on those go bad. its normal problem on that model. You absolutely can use the 4wd the WHOLE TIME as long as you are OFFROAD. What good is 4wd if you are already stuck? Doesnt it make sense to avoid stuck? This is why I hate woman service advisors. Those hubs, if its just the hubs are easy as fuck to replace by the way.

[0rion]

ok, obviously no one so far has any real 4x4 exp...

I've had a 4x4 truck since I was 16 and have been mudding them since then. Usually not for entertainment but to get back to hunting spots. You were what? 3 when I started? I'm no 4x4 expert but I've been around the muddy block a time or two in them.

[JHayesLS1]

I was told the 4x4 locked up because it had no lubrication from not being engaged. Also everyone says that it's bad for 4x4's to be in mud and sand but damnit it's so boring to not do it lol. Everytime I drive down a backroad I'll see this huge field with dirt and mud everywhere. I mean the biggest reason I bought the truck was for that purpose. Then I put a 2.5" leveling kit on it, eagle off road rims, and A/T tires (mud grapplers were too much $$$) so my truck is going to learn to take it like a champ.

[FasstChevys]

ok, obviously no one so far has any real 4x4 exp...
1st, lets clarify the difference between 4wd, and awd.


4wd is a feature desigened to increase traction and lower the final drive gear ratio "as needed".

Awd is the system that is designed for low/high speed 4wd all the time... some awd models have selections to move into a 4lo, or even 2hi modes, but will be designated by "awd" on the shifting controls.

a 4wd is designed in such a way that, when disabled, lets the front wheels spin bind free, as those of a 2wd. With models equipped with manual hubs, you can acheive the torque multiplication of "4lo", without the steering bind, by selecting "4lo' with the shift mechanism, but NOT locking the front hubs, this is sometimes very handy for dry pavement apps, such as moving a heavy load at low speeds with plenty of traction, but a steep incline... i.e. a boat ramp... Models equipped with auto-locking hubs aren't capable of said performance, and will tend to be foul tempered under the same conditions, Differential lockers will increase this effect. now, as for leaving your hubs locked all time, or leaving you 4wd fully or partially engaged all/most of the time... if you do, you are ignorant to the purpose of this system... you will experience a decrease in fuel economy, as well as more rapid decomposition of your overall system. Some Models are equipped with "Auto" 4wd, these are electrically shifted systems that monitor wheel speed, if one wheel begins to spin, the computer will automatically engage the 4hi system.

4wd hi is designed for higher speed use on muddy roads, icy pavement, and sandy areas, this system may usually be selected anywhere between 0-55mph depending on manf specs, provided you hubs are auto-locking. if not, you need to lock them when the need of 4wd is foreseeable. 4wd lo is designed for low speed crawling, moving heavy loads short distance, climbing, and anywhere torque multiplication is needed. this system should never exceed 25mph, and you should be between 0 and 5mph max when selecting this mode.



as for the O.P., your problem sound like it is sand related, sand and water/mud are the biggest enemies of bearings... any time you play in the sand or mud/water, you should always repack your axle bearings, and check your diff fluids... as for the "not enuff use" comment... Not true, this is a completely idiotic statement... how can not using something wear it out???

Obviously you didn't read my post. It's also obvious the guy that started this thread was referring to "4-high". Only an idiot would attempt to drive around normally in "4-low" anyway.

Your description of the different types of 4 & AWD was pretty good.

Your last paragraph was the exact same thing I said......other than the fact yours was more long winded, and took longer to type.

[FasstChevys]

I was told the 4x4 locked up because it had no lubrication from not being engaged. Also everyone says that it's bad for 4x4's to be in mud and sand but damnit it's so boring to not do it lol. Everytime I drive down a backroad I'll see this huge field with dirt and mud everywhere. I mean the biggest reason I bought the truck was for that purpose. Then I put a 2.5" leveling kit on it, eagle off road rims, and A/T tires (mud grapplers were too much $$$) so my truck is going to learn to take it like a champ.

Nice

With that being said, then you should expect and be prepared to be working on your front end more than usual. Mud, water, dirt will make their way into your front end and cause damage.....that's a given.

[JHayesLS1]

Yeah 4-Hi onry lol.

And I wasn't referring to driving it on 4x4 hi on pavement, I'm talking in sand or mud. I've had numerous people tell me you don't engage it till you're stuck but like someone said...thats just stupid. Needless to say I'm getting this bad boy done within the next month or so. Then its time to do it all over again.

[JHayesLS1]

Nice

With that being said, then you should expect and be prepared to be working on your front end more than usual. Mud, water, dirt will make their way into your front end and cause damage.....that's a given.

Yep. But hey thats the fun of having a truck. You haven't had fun till you've had it stuck!

[FasstChevys]

Yep. But hey thats the fun of having a truck. You haven't had fun till you've had it stuck!

You're damn right!!!

Been there! Done it! (too many times)

Keep on muddin'!

[Y2KSS1363]

I engage 4WD Hi whenever I'm off pavement.

In the rain, I'll sometimes use the Auto 4WD. You can really tell when the front wheels hook up.

[side2000]

if your problems are the hubs.....get manuals. i know someone already said this, and yes they are a pain when you do your brakes. . . .but i would NEVER have anything else. i got 2 trucks, i converted one to manual hubs and the other already had 'em. besides the simple reason that you KNOW when they are working or not/when they are engaged or not, they are super tough.

-that woman is just feedin you whatever bs she can. . .that's what they (service people) are paid to do.
-you can drive around in 4 wheel off pavement
-get rid of those auto hubs.

[FORD RECOVERY EXPERT]

if your problems are the hubs.....get manuals. i know someone already said this, and yes they are a pain when you do your brakes. . . .but i would NEVER have anything else. i got 2 trucks, i converted one to manual hubs and the other already had 'em. besides the simple reason that you KNOW when they are working or not/when they are engaged or not, they are super tough.

-that woman is just feedin you whatever bs she can. . .that's what they (service people) are paid to do.
-you can drive around in 4 wheel off pavement
-get rid of those auto hubs.

......... 2005..........


the closestyou get to manual, is MAYBE 4x4 posi-lock (google it) and it has nothing to do with the hub bearings that are in discussion.

[side2000]

i thought i read he had an f2. not f1. ifs is beat. "but side2000, f2's came from fact w/ manual hubs"--95% of them DO come with manual hubs, but they offer auto hubs for those willing to pay for it, and think getting out of truck is more than they (as rich men) should do. and ford recovery man you gotta pull that dildo out yer ass. you arent the smartest 4x4 man in world, nor are you the most experienced. runnin' around harshly patronizin' people is childish and naive.