Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kantosensei · 01-20-2006, 07:15 PM

This may sound a little ignorant, but what is the proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive? I have been told two different ways and that it doesn't really matter, but I want to know which way is correct. Also, what exactly is the neutral for on the transfer case?

blazerparts · 01-20-2006, 07:25 PM

I always turn in the hubs and with trans in neutral, shift the tcase gently. Sometimes you have to go backward or forward a touch. If all else fails, you can turn the engine off. Tcase neutral leaves no drive component engaged. This is a preferred setting if your blazer is being towed, remembering the towing limitations for auto trans.

Kantosensei · 01-20-2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks! This is what the dependable person told me. I never thought about towing--It's a Chevy...

**Steven B** · 01-20-2006, 08:16 PM

It depends on where you drive. If you expect to use 4wd on the trail or snow than I would lock in the hubs before getting stuck. I unfortunatly had to get out in about 4" of mud to lock in the hubs. Then put it in 4wd when needed. Try not to run with you hubs locked on the open road at high speeds

'

*Medicanman71* · 01-20-2006, 09:18 PM

what does turning the truck off do, help get into said 4x4 gear you're going for??? (hi/lo) if its being a pita ???

blazerparts · 01-20-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medicanman71

what does turning the truck off do, help get into said 4x4 gear you're going for??? (hi/lo) if its being a pita ???

Yep, I had a dodge 350 that I had to turn the engine off to shift the tcase.

2wdBlazer · 01-21-2006, 02:11 AM

Some trucks will grind going into gear no matter what. Turning it off will eliminate the grinding. I always do mine while in nuetral as well.

Blazer1970 · 01-21-2006, 08:05 AM

With a part time t-case (Dana 20 or NP205) if the hubs are locked you should be able to shift between 2HI and 4Hi pretty much any time at any speed. It will not hurt anything to run at highway speed with the hubs locked. To shift between low and high range you should be in neutral, either stopped or rolling slowly. Many t-cases will shift into low range a lot easier if the truck is rolling rather than stopped. Like any tranny or gearbox, you want to shift positively and firmly between the gears. Don't try to "baby" it into gear. That will only make it grind.

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-21-2006, 08:50 AM

Since I have yet to use my 4WD this is very usefull info

vtblazer · 01-21-2006, 09:24 AM

For driving around my area in the winter when slippery roads, a hill or the driveway your about to go up, I leave the fronts hubs locked in all the time and when needed just reach down and pull it into 4-HI at speed.

Any long trips on the interstate mandates opening up the hubs though...

Different trucks seem to like slightly different methods, you'll figure yours out soon enough.

shelby987 · 01-21-2006, 09:44 AM

wait.....you can shift into 4hi or 2hi at speed???? My truck is still new to me....its a 70, so I am pretty sure its a dana 20....but I thought I had to be stopped to shift the t-case into gear.....My hubs are full time (to be replaced soon) but with those, I can pull into or out of gear at will if the truck is in neutral? This would be awesome, there is always this upward slope on a hill that my truck always gets stuck in because I have to keep it in 2hi because after that there is no place to stop and shift into 2hi if I used 4hi.....well, thats rambling for ya....but investigation will be done this afternoon!!

Chevrolet4x4s · 01-21-2006, 10:06 AM

Don't shift on the fly if it isn't a syncronized t case, other wise you could shift into 4 hi up to around 25 mph

vtblazer · 01-21-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby987

wait.....you can shift into 4hi or 2hi at speed???

Yep, you betcha.

Do it all the time.

Only between 2-hi and 4-hi remember.

bouncytruck · 01-21-2006, 12:07 PM

I've only put my pavement queen '72 in 4wd once (just to see if I could do it). It made a grinding noise so I shut it off to switch it. My '69 can make a grinding noise too (NP203 with a part time kit). I thought we were going to get some real snow this year and I'd have to put it in 4wd, but all the snow melted before the morning commute.

ian villeza · 01-22-2006, 06:16 PM

My owners manual say's that you can shift into 4 Lo from any position(2hi,4hi,neutral) At 5mph or less and from 2hi to 4hi or 4hi to 2hi at any speed.

zeeklu · 01-22-2006, 07:51 PM

What VTBlazer said.I go to work about 40 miles of interstate highway(55-60MPH) hubs locked no problem. I go into and out of 4wd high at any speed .The only problem is if you go into neutral in the transfercase it can be hard to get back into gear but no big deal.BTW my truck is a 67 K10 with a rockwell transfercase and 4 speed. Chris

crispy · 01-23-2006, 02:04 PM

question for you guys shifting from 2hi to 4hi while moving. which transfercases do you guys have? i am running a 205 and would like to know if i could do this also

Blazer1970 · 01-23-2006, 08:13 PM

Any part time case will be able to shift from 2hi to 4hi and back at any speed with no problems as long as the hubs are locked. Everything is moving at the same speed, so no synchros are requred in the transfer case.

*Medicanman71* · 01-23-2006, 10:25 PM

Before i signed the papers , when i was buyying my blazer i had it in 4wd around my property and put it into N and couldnt get it out for 2-3min. Throught it was in 2hi, put it indo drive, gave it gas, went no place, got scared hahahah my 205 makes the noise on occasion too then falls into gear or does w/e its doing heh

Blazer1970 · 01-24-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispy

question for you guys shifting from 2hi to 4hi while moving. which transfercases do you guys have? i am running a 205 and would like to know if i could do this also

Yes, you can definitely do it with a 205.

01-20-2006, 07:15 PM	#1
Kantosensei Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 87	Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? This may sound a little ignorant, but what is the proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive? I have been told two different ways and that it doesn't really matter, but I want to know which way is correct. Also, what exactly is the neutral for on the transfer case?

01-20-2006, 07:25 PM	#2
blazerparts No,I DON'T have Tourett's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 556	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? I always turn in the hubs and with trans in neutral, shift the tcase gently. Sometimes you have to go backward or forward a touch. If all else fails, you can turn the engine off. Tcase neutral leaves no drive component engaged. This is a preferred setting if your blazer is being towed, remembering the towing limitations for auto trans. __________________ '72 K5 CST 350/350 Daily Driver '69 GMC3500 Camper Special CST Flatbed 396/400 Upgraded to show truck '69 GMC 2500 L6292, 3spd beater

01-20-2006, 07:30 PM	#3
Kantosensei Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Japan Posts: 87	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? Thanks! This is what the dependable person told me. I never thought about towing--It's a Chevy...

01-20-2006, 08:16 PM	#4
Steven B Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: LHC, AZ Posts: 385	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? It depends on where you drive. If you expect to use 4wd on the trail or snow than I would lock in the hubs before getting stuck. I unfortunatly had to get out in about 4" of mud to lock in the hubs. Then put it in 4wd when needed. Try not to run with you hubs locked on the open road at high speeds ' __________________ 70 Jimmy 4x4 71 GMC 2500 Too bad stupidity isn't painful

01-20-2006, 09:18 PM	#5
Medicanman71 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Where the Wild Things Are Posts: 696	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? what does turning the truck off do, help get into said 4x4 gear you're going for??? (hi/lo) if its being a pita ???

01-21-2006, 02:11 AM	#7
2wdBlazer The Blazer King Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Valrico, Fl (Tampa) Posts: 1,213	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? Some trucks will grind going into gear no matter what. Turning it off will eliminate the grinding. I always do mine while in nuetral as well. __________________ 72 2wd Blazer. Its the superbichinest, megacoolinest, superflowinest.

01-21-2006, 08:05 AM	#8
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? With a part time t-case (Dana 20 or NP205) if the hubs are locked you should be able to shift between 2HI and 4Hi pretty much any time at any speed. It will not hurt anything to run at highway speed with the hubs locked. To shift between low and high range you should be in neutral, either stopped or rolling slowly. Many t-cases will shift into low range a lot easier if the truck is rolling rather than stopped. Like any tranny or gearbox, you want to shift positively and firmly between the gears. Don't try to "baby" it into gear. That will only make it grind. __________________ Tim

01-21-2006, 08:50 AM	#9
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,470	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? Since I have yet to use my 4WD this is very usefull info __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-21-2006, 09:24 AM	#10
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? For driving around my area in the winter when slippery roads, a hill or the driveway your about to go up, I leave the fronts hubs locked in all the time and when needed just reach down and pull it into 4-HI at speed. Any long trips on the interstate mandates opening up the hubs though... Different trucks seem to like slightly different methods, you'll figure yours out soon enough.

01-21-2006, 09:44 AM	#11
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? wait.....you can shift into 4hi or 2hi at speed???? My truck is still new to me....its a 70, so I am pretty sure its a dana 20....but I thought I had to be stopped to shift the t-case into gear.....My hubs are full time (to be replaced soon) but with those, I can pull into or out of gear at will if the truck is in neutral? This would be awesome, there is always this upward slope on a hill that my truck always gets stuck in because I have to keep it in 2hi because after that there is no place to stop and shift into 2hi if I used 4hi.....well, thats rambling for ya....but investigation will be done this afternoon!! __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

01-21-2006, 10:06 AM	#12
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? Don't shift on the fly if it isn't a syncronized t case, other wise you could shift into 4 hi up to around 25 mph __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327

01-21-2006, 12:07 PM	#14
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? I've only put my pavement queen '72 in 4wd once (just to see if I could do it). It made a grinding noise so I shut it off to switch it. My '69 can make a grinding noise too (NP203 with a part time kit). I thought we were going to get some real snow this year and I'd have to put it in 4wd, but all the snow melted before the morning commute. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

01-22-2006, 06:16 PM	#15
ian villeza Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 153	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? My owners manual say's that you can shift into 4 Lo from any position(2hi,4hi,neutral) At 5mph or less and from 2hi to 4hi or 4hi to 2hi at any speed.

01-22-2006, 07:51 PM	#16
zeeklu Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 746	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? What VTBlazer said.I go to work about 40 miles of interstate highway(55-60MPH) hubs locked no problem. I go into and out of 4wd high at any speed .The only problem is if you go into neutral in the transfercase it can be hard to get back into gear but no big deal.BTW my truck is a 67 K10 with a rockwell transfercase and 4 speed. Chris

01-23-2006, 02:04 PM	#17
crispy '71 Chevy Blazer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Leandro, CA (near Oakland) Posts: 96	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? question for you guys shifting from 2hi to 4hi while moving. which transfercases do you guys have? i am running a 205 and would like to know if i could do this also __________________ '71 K5 Blazer (new project / daily driver) "If you are not working to improve the situation, you have no business complaining"



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

01-23-2006, 08:13 PM	#18
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? Any part time case will be able to shift from 2hi to 4hi and back at any speed with no problems as long as the hubs are locked. Everything is moving at the same speed, so no synchros are requred in the transfer case. __________________ Tim

01-23-2006, 10:25 PM	#19
Medicanman71 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Where the Wild Things Are Posts: 696	Re: Proper way to shift into 4 wheel drive?? Before i signed the papers , when i was buyying my blazer i had it in 4wd around my property and put it into N and couldnt get it out for 2-3min. Throught it was in 2hi, put it indo drive, gave it gas, went no place, got scared hahahah my 205 makes the noise on occasion too then falls into gear or does w/e its doing heh

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.