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4-Wheel Drive Cycle

Thanks for the insight. By this do you mean to be on a straight path when engaging 4h on a hard surface? Like, if I did it on a straight highway for a mile, is that too long? Not an appropriate place to be ran?



yes, I would say only about a 1/2 mile is more than enough. I think a gravel road or dirt road would be better. I would only do a hard highway surface if thats all you have. I have done mine a few times only 3-5 tenths of a mile.
 
Here is a picture from last week:

20191020_153738-X2.jpg


Shortly after this was taken, the truck would not. stay straight due to ice under the snow a slush even with. 4wd engaged. I had to back up about 1/4 mile to get turned around.

The 4wd was exercised!
 
Here is a picture from last week:

20191020_153738-X2.jpg


Shortly after this was taken, the truck would not. stay straight due to ice under the snow a slush even with. 4wd engaged. I had to back up about 1/4 mile to get turned around.

The 4wd was exercised!
I would be disappointed if my truck doesn't make up that road.
But ill take your work about the ice ...
Is that with the Wildpeaks?
 
I would be disappointed if my truck doesn't make up that road.
But ill take your work about the ice ...
Is that with the Wildpeaks?

LOL, I'm not disappointed at all. 3 inches of slush and snow over ice....and whereI stopped was up the road a ways with more snow and quite a bit steeper. Kind of hard to make a statement like that when you weren't there.

As far as the Wildpeaks go, the jury is out on snow performance. They did well up to the point that ice and increasing grade became a factor. We'll see how they do this winter. But, for being as aggressive as they are, they are still very quiet on the road, grip on gravel seems good, and wet pavement performance is better than the stock tires. So far I am pleased.
 
LOL, I'm not disappointed at all. 3 inches of slush and snow over ice....and whereI stopped was up the road a ways with more snow and quite a bit steeper. Kind of hard to make a statement like that when you weren't there.

As far as the Wildpeaks go, the jury is out on snow performance. They did well up to the point that ice and increasing grade became a factor. We'll see how they do this winter. But, for being as aggressive as they are, they are still very quiet on the road, grip on gravel seems good, and wet pavement performance is better than the stock tires. So far I am pleased.
Yeah - I just meant from the looks of it.
I know exactly what your saying. Black ice doesn't look bad at all but try driving on it.

Glad to hear you're not disappointed !
 
Just for the record, there’s definitely no need to cycle a 4wd system on a regular basis. The internals of the transfer case (with the exception of the output shaft) are turning anytime you drive anywhere, and the fluid is being circulated by the pump as well.

That being said, I support using any excuse to get out in the dirt and use 4wd.
 
Just for the record, there’s definitely no need to cycle a 4wd system on a regular basis. The internals of the transfer case (with the exception of the output shaft) are turning anytime you drive anywhere, and the fluid is being circulated by the pump as well.
Beg to differ. I agree that it's not such a big deal for the current transfer cases. The issue is with the front axle disconnect mechanism. Whether vacuum or solenoid operated, these gizmos should be exercised regularly, especially if you hang your hat in a region of North America that is accustomed to vicious winters.
 
Fords were known to lose vacuum to the hubs. It’s a little O-Ring on the hub and a small vacuum line and the line would get messed up where it connected to the front. That’s why on my Ford I opted for the manual transfer case and not shift on the fly. Only difference is I had to get out and manually lock my hubs. On the shift on the fly you could manually lock the hubs as well and use the button on the dash for just the transfer case
 
So we went out again today. Total snowfall was only an inch...but ice underneath.

Explained some information to my son. He is only 6, but the more he hears and experiences it the more he will remember it.

Explained to him about how momentum trumps traction everytime. I showed how locking the brakes will make you slide out of control...also explaining how the ABS and Traction control work and the sound and feeling it gives.

Showed him how the anti spin works and how 2wd and traction control can keep you Showed him how stopping in the middle of an icy hill will make even 4wd useless.

I then showed him how the CAD front axle can ruin your day if your not prepared.

On the hill, the axle shafts were not quite lined up. And therefore would not let 4ed engage. Of course it was fixed by coasting back a few feet. But, I explained to him how had we been on flat in mud, we were screwed and to always select 4wd before the stuck happens.

We ended the trip when we came to the end of the trail, he made a snow angel and we drove back out. All the way him talking about what he learned.

Was a beautiful day Driving in the woods is always calming. Even saw a doe and her fawn.
 
20191215_131024.jpg
Making sure the anti spin worked.

Explained to him about how traction control can be turned off.

I didn't get a pic of the hill were I showed him about the CAD.

I pulled half way up the hill and stopped. Explained to him why we were sliding (ice).

Tried to pull forward 2wd, ESC on. Then turned ESC off and let the anti spin work, showing him in the mirrors both tires spinning.

Then engaged 4wd. Showed him the CAD wasn't engaged, as we still only spun the rear and the noise of the axles not meshed.

Neutral, coasted back, CAD operated and we got the 2 rear and 1 front to spin.

Then explained how MOMENTUM trumps traction. We had no traction. Reversed back to the bottom, began going forward with steady speed and went right past the ice we were stuck on.
 
This is were the real fun began.20191215_131540.jpg
Not sure if you can see the sign, but this is were maintenance ends and is drive at your own risk.
20191215_131928.jpg
A pretty deep mud hole.

We drove out till we hit the end and turned around for the up hill journey through the mud and snow(downhill going in) the all season tires did just fine. Lol.

20191215_134301.jpg
His snow angel.
 
Beg to differ. I agree that it's not such a big deal for the current transfer cases. The issue is with the front axle disconnect mechanism. Whether vacuum or solenoid operated, these gizmos should be exercised regularly, especially if you hang your hat in a region of North America that is accustomed to vicious winters.

I hadn’t thought about the axle disconnect. I can’t speak for that one way or the other as none of my Jeeps have ever had one. I’ll submit to the possibility that the disconnect needs regular use, though I’d expect the manual would say something if that were the case (I don’t have a manual yet, so I don’t know if it does).
 
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