Page 1 of 1

Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 8:29 pm
by kengray
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

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:20 pm
by FirerescuePW
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

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 9:38 pm
by Jnallison
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!

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 12:28 am
by adeluca73
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:40 am
by Stickman
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 3:21 am
by kengray
This a great forum. A real community. Thanks to all for the quick replies. I'll post pics tomorrow

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:10 pm
by loveracing1988
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 2:44 pm
by TheDirtRoad
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 2:59 pm
by loveracing1988
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:02 pm
by TheDirtRoad
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"

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:54 pm
by TwinStick
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:32 pm
by kengray
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 4:35 pm
by Takingatrip1
Nice!

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:31 pm
by Black Pearl
And with the dealer plates none the less! Awesome.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:09 pm
by old sole mopar
Looks perfect!

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:56 pm
by Throttle 8
Nice looking rig! Welcome!

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 2:09 am
by Stickman
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.

Re: Using 4 wheel drive question

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:35 pm
by kengray
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.