This may be a simple question but sometimes the 4X4 light doenst turn off after I shift out of 4X4 I dont unlock the hubs thou. My question is the light the indicator if you are in 4X4 or is it the lever? If the lever is in the 2 HI then it should be in 2 HI no matter what the dash says right?
Thanks!

The light doesn't go out until the t-case gears disengage. Even after shifting to the 2Hi position, if there's a load on the driveline, the gears won't disengage and you're still in 4Hi. Back off the gas or even coast for a moment and the gears will disengage, THEN you are actually in 2WD again.

Brent

Thanks Brent that was very helpful!

Just to make it clear, also...the 4x4 Indicator Light does not have anything to do with your Hubs being unlocked...just like Brent mentioned, the 4x4 shift is physically OFF, but the Transfer Case still hasn't released 4x4 yet untill a little movement so the load could be released...

I also find that sometimes the 4wd indicator light doesn't go off until i actually turn. It's almost as if turning forces the transfercase gears to disengage...

-mango

In the simplest terms possible... the load must be taken off the driveline in order for transfer case gears to disengage. That means that 4hi will still be engaged until you coast for awhile. Sometimes it takes awhile depending on driving.

It's not "instant off" Also not something to worry about, unless of course you're shifting from 2wd-->4hi-->2wd all while accelerating/mashing on the gas.

Why is this whole 4wd thing some complex for some people? After all, we did get a manual with our X, there's also a very large faq on this whole topic...

Because we are a push button society.

I watched a lady today stuck at an intersection in her Xterra. I didn't have time to stop and show her what the transfer case lever was for.