Using 4 wheel drive question

kengray · Post by **kengray** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 8:29 pm

I am taking my new 2015 PW off-roading for the first time this weekend. I read the owner's manual regarding using 4wheel drive, but it only covers the electronic selection version found on the Laramie and not the manual selection found on mine. I am making some assumptions here;

I can shift into 4-H while driving when below 30mph ?

Complete stop to shift into 4-low ?

The front / rear diffs can only be locked when in 4-low and stopped ?

Prior to the PW I had 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Any comments would be appreciated, Thanks, Ken

FirerescuePW · Post by **FirerescuePW** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:20 pm

Yes to all 3. You will find that shifting into 4 low is best accomplished stopped with the trans in neutral. At least that's what my manual says. The sway bar should disconnect in 4 hi or low below 19 MPH.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Jnallison · Post by **Jnallison** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:38 pm

Make sure it is fairly flat when you disconnect the sway bar. It is slow if its in a bind and for whatever the reason, the lockers take a minute to engage. I think I read you can disconnect the smartbar and engage the lockers below 3mph. Enjoy!

adeluca73 · Post by **adeluca73** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 12:28 am

Write or call Mopar & they'll send you the "full" set of manuals (3) for free.

1. 4-hi is true shift on the fly, I don't recall a speed limit

2. Sway bar is below 18mph

3. 4-lo. Trans in Neutral & at a 2-3mph roll is what the manual states.

4. Have to be in 4-lo to run either locker.

Stickman · Post by **Stickman** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:40 am

I've put mine into 4 hi at 55 or 60mph this last winter, but that was putting it in neutral while rolling on packed snow so that probably helped. 30 or 35mph on dry pavement in neutral or in gear usually works best for 4 hi though, just make sure you're off the gas when you throw it in. Everyone else is dead on for the other things.

kengray · Post by **kengray** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 3:21 am

This a great forum. A real community. Thanks to all for the quick replies. I'll post pics tomorrow

loveracing1988 · Post by **loveracing1988** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:10 pm

Stickman wrote:I've put mine into 4 hi at 55 or 60mph this last winter, but that was putting it in neutral while rolling on packed snow so that probably helped. 30 or 35mph on dry pavement in neutral or in gear usually works best for 4 hi though, just make sure you're off the gas when you throw it in. Everyone else is dead on for the other things.

I've gone in and out of 4 hi up to 60 to 65 mph before, I do let off a little but it doesn't matter a whole lot because everything is synchronized in 4 hi.

TheDirtRoad · Post by **TheDirtRoad** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 2:44 pm

I shift in and out of 4-hi also at highway speeds with no issues, especially this time of year when a few miles will be dry pavement then a few miles of ice and snow.
The Laramie also has an "old school" stick on the floor.

loveracing1988 · Post by **loveracing1988** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 2:59 pm

TheDirtRoad wrote:I shift in and out of 4-hi also at highway speeds with no issues, especially this time of year when a few miles will be dry pavement then a few miles of ice and snow.
The Laramie also has an "old school" stick on the floor.

Every power wagon still has the manual shift transfer case.

TheDirtRoad · Post by **TheDirtRoad** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:02 pm

loveracing1988 wrote:
TheDirtRoad wrote:I shift in and out of 4-hi also at highway speeds with no issues, especially this time of year when a few miles will be dry pavement then a few miles of ice and snow.
The Laramie also has an "old school" stick on the floor.
Every power wagon still has the manual shift transfer case.

I know this , if you read the first post kengray states the "Laramie" has an "electronic selection version"

TwinStick · Post by **TwinStick** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:54 pm

I shift from 2wd into 4-Hi all the time at speeds to 60 mph. I have had it up to 70-80 mph in 4-Hi a few times when passing some asshole that decides to speed up, during the winter when roads were snow covered. Not recommended though.

kengray · Post by **kengray** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:32 pm

Thanks for all the info. I found that 4H was more than capable for even the steepest climbs. 4L with front-rear lockers engaged would probably pull tree stumps out of the ground. Pic from this past weekend in the Stanislaus National forest a few miles east of Mi Wuk Village where our cabin is located.

Takingatrip1 · Post by **Takingatrip1** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 4:35 pm

Nice!

Black Pearl · Post by **Black Pearl** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:31 pm

And with the dealer plates none the less! Awesome.

old sole mopar · Post by **old sole mopar** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:09 pm

Looks perfect!

Throttle 8 · Post by **Throttle 8** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:56 pm

Nice looking rig! Welcome!

Stickman · Post by **Stickman** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 2:09 am

Now that's what these trucks are for. Taking it straight out to the trails before you even have plates on it, lol. Straight off the showroom and into the woods.

kengray · Post by **kengray** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:35 pm

The PW climbed like a goat on steroids

Stickman wrote:Now that's what these trucks are for. Taking it straight out to the trails before you even have plates on it, lol. Straight off the showroom and into the woods.

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