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#97976 - 26/07/03 12:30 PM 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Anonymous
Unregistered


OK not to sound dumb but how can I tell if Im in 4 Low. I have had my X for almost a year now and have been in 4H a few times but never been in 4L. Here is the story please bare with me. Last weekend I took my girlfriend canoeing in the middle of the woods no-where. It was mostly dirt roads and a little mud and down a steep hill to get to the river bank. While we were down river there was a downpoor that lasted several hours. By time we returned and loaded up the canoe the roads were muddy and washed out. It was a perfect trail to make an experiended offroader's wet dream. Unfortunatly Im still a novice. While being very excited I was also very nervous because I was 300 miles from home and 10 miles from any gravel or pavement. I did't want to take any chances so I figured I would try 4L.
So I put it in neutral (automatic)
Then shifted the 4WD lever down.
Acording to the markings this is 4H. No problem been there done that.
Then I tried to move the 4WD lever down again it would't go down any further.
I put it in D and then tried again. No luck. I flipped the viser down followed it step by step. Even looked at the book. (meanwhile my girlfriend is freaking out because Im reading directions) Still no luck. So is the shifter supose to be in another position when I shift to 4L or does it stay down in the second position?
2H
4H
N
4L
Doesn't that mean there are 4 positions? Like a stick shift? The top is 2H and bottom 4L. If so I only seem to have two positions.

I know this may be a dumb question to some of you but please answer me anyway. Im stuck in the woods and I want to go home and writing this from my laptop. wink

Ok I made it through on 4H but maybe I won't next time.

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#97977 - 26/07/03 12:44 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
ChuckH Offline
Member

Registered: 27/02/01
Posts: 5206
Loc: Seattle, WA
Did you push down on the lever? You have to push down on the lever while pulling back once you get past 4H. When in low the lever will be all the way down toward the back and nearly horizontal. I believe you were correct having the truck in neutral (I don't have the automatic), so it sounds like you just needed to push down on the lever. I think you need to have your foot ont he brake too, but I'm not sure. This is one of the safeguards to keep you from accidentally putting the transfer case into neutral or low range. BTW, if you don't already know this, neutral on the transfer case releases all the drivelines. When they say neutral they really mean it! Make sure you have your foot on the brake when you shift through there!
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#97978 - 26/07/03 07:31 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Uzbad Offline
Member

Registered: 28/01/03
Posts: 632
Loc: Durango, CO
Well its fairly simple 8) When you will be in low - you will see 4wd stick going seriously close to horizontal position 8)

To do that - just stop (just to be sure). Then start, shift gear into N (while pressing brakes of course), then swiftly push cap on 4wd stick down and with same move - push it towards you and down, then move gear from N to any other...

Then of course do not forget that getting off from 4L to 4H and 2H is a wee bit of process 8)
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#97979 - 26/07/03 10:54 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Anonymous
Unregistered


These guys are correct, I just want to add that it will grind like hell if you do it smoothly. You have to go for it very quickly, throw it in there (even then it might grind, but it's ok). The first time I did it I was really wondering if it was normal, but now I know it is.

Also, you can even stop the engine completely with both sticks in neutral, then put it in 4L (leave the main shifter in neutral though, anyway, I think the X wouldn't even start if it's not in Park or neutral), then restart the engine. I personnaly didn't have to go that far to make it go in though.

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#97980 - 27/07/03 05:20 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Anonymous
Unregistered


I appreciate the input. I never thought about pushing down on the lever then pulling it back. Why isn't this in the manual?
Thanks Guys

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#97981 - 27/07/03 07:46 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Guy Offline
Member

Registered: 26/04/01
Posts: 581
Loc: San Diego, Ca.
Quote:
Originally posted by caseman68:
OK not to sound dumb but how can I tell if Im in 4 Low.
That was a great question and thanks for asking it. I could have used the answer sooner though. Went wheeling with a group from SCCX yesterday and we came to one hill where I thought 4lo might be appropriate. I had only used 4lo one other time and that was a couple of years ago. Completely forgot about having to push down on the lever. Thanks for bringing this up. I did make it up the hill by the way, with help from the spotters.
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#97982 - 27/07/03 12:27 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
electrobuzz Offline
Member

Registered: 12/01/01
Posts: 2487
Loc: Denver, Colorado
Should've asked the spotters how to put it in 4-Lo. wink

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#97983 - 27/07/03 12:30 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XOC Offline
Admin
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Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Quote:
Originally posted by caseman68:
I never thought about pushing down on the lever then pulling it back. Why isn't this in the manual?
It's covered in detail in the manual, with arrows showing when to push downward.
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#97984 - 27/07/03 05:46 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Anonymous
Unregistered


Quote:
it will grind like hell if you do it smoothly. You have to go for it very quickly, throw it in there (even then it might grind, but it's ok). The first time I did it I was really wondering if it was normal, but now I know it is.
UM actually it shouldnt grind at all.... I have put mine into 4lo many times and never grind maybe you should read the manual again?? [Wave]

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#97985 - 27/07/03 06:15 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Olegkha Offline
Member

Registered: 30/08/00
Posts: 2286
Loc: Brooklyn, NY
Quote:
Originally posted by X2theZ:
Quote:
it will grind like hell if you do it smoothly. You have to go for it very quickly, throw it in there (even then it might grind, but it's ok). The first time I did it I was really wondering if it was normal, but now I know it is.
UM actually it shouldnt grind at all.... I have put mine into 4lo many times and never grind maybe you should read the manual again?? [Wave]
It does grind, and the manual says it should grind

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#97986 - 27/07/03 06:45 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
smudog Offline
Member

Registered: 20/12/02
Posts: 83
Loc: Lakewood, Colorado
I've had my truck in 4lo several times now, and I haven't had it grind since the first time. Maybe I got lucky and have a transfer case that is perfectly lined up.

Mike
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#97987 - 27/07/03 09:14 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XOC Offline
Admin
Member
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Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Quote:
Originally posted by Olegkha:
It does grind, and the manual says it should grind
Uh, no.

It should make no noise if done properly.
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#97988 - 28/07/03 04:32 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Kerensky97 Offline
Member

Registered: 12/03/01
Posts: 3385
Loc: Utah
It will only grind if you're rolling, or if the transmission isn't in Neutral (or Park on the AT).

Think about it, the driveline isn't moving and the transmission is in neutral; none of the transfer case gears are moving.

It might be hard to shift if the gears are lined up just right but it you roll a half a foot forward it should slip right in.
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#97989 - 28/07/03 05:47 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
NetJunkie Offline
Member

Registered: 28/04/03
Posts: 282
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Mine grinds every time if I put the transfer case in neutral. If I go straight from 2HI, or 4HI to 4LO in a smooth motion it won't grind...but if I stop in N it sure does. Even with a good motion out I get a quick grind.

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#97990 - 28/07/03 06:21 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Anonymous
Unregistered


Quote:
Uh, no.

It should make no noise if done properly.

I personally, I set my tranny in N, and I also set the parking brake whenever going to 4lo because personally I dont like any grinding noises at all

GRINDING = :rolleyes: BAD

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#97991 - 28/07/03 08:11 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Uzbad Offline
Member

Registered: 28/01/03
Posts: 632
Loc: Durango, CO
Well i dont use parking brake when doing shift, just regular one, and i dont hear any grinding actually cool

You can hear "clang" sound, when stuff getting engaged, but not grinding.
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#97992 - 28/07/03 11:01 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XOC Offline
Admin
Member
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Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Quote:
Originally posted by NetJunkie:
Mine grinds every time if I put the transfer case in neutral.
You should never put the transfer lever in neutral.
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#97993 - 29/07/03 01:30 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
NetJunkie Offline
Member

Registered: 28/04/03
Posts: 282
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Quote:
Originally posted by xoc:
You should [b]never put the transfer lever in neutral.[/b]
I can't think of a good reason to do so....but why is it bad?

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#97994 - 29/07/03 02:51 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XOC Offline
Admin
Member
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Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Because it grinds like crazy.
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#97995 - 29/07/03 04:10 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XCFreak Offline
Member

Registered: 25/04/03
Posts: 179
Loc: Your backyard
DO NOT DO THIS. dirt rider gave bad advice. Flip open the manual. It specifically says not to do this. Think about it, no power means no power brakes. Using 4L means you probably on some steep terrain. Not wise to be in neutral with both sticks and have a fading hydraulic brake. think "Lion's Back".

Quote:
Originally posted by dirt rider:
... Also, you can even stop the engine completely with both sticks in neutral, then put it in 4L (leave the main shifter in neutral though, anyway, I think the X wouldn't even start if it's not in Park or neutral), then restart the engine...

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#97996 - 29/07/03 09:17 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
smudog Offline
Member

Registered: 20/12/02
Posts: 83
Loc: Lakewood, Colorado
Well, I don't have anything to say for or against turning the engine off while shifting. I don't turn it off, but I also put it in 4-lo before I'm heading down, or up, a big hill, so it wouldn't roll even if I did turn the engine off and keep it in neutral. If you make the shift fast enough and in one motion, you should be fine and not get any grinding.

Mike
_________________________
'If a man speaks obscurely when he could speak more clearly, his words are to be interpreted against himself.' - Martin Luther

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#97997 - 29/07/03 09:31 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
electrobuzz Offline
Member

Registered: 12/01/01
Posts: 2487
Loc: Denver, Colorado
Mike -- That's the way to do it. Put it in 4L *before* you need it.

XC is dead on about **NOT** turning the engine off in N when going to 4L. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, even on a slight slope.

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#97998 - 29/07/03 11:02 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
Anonymous
Unregistered


hum, turning the engine off on a slope is not a good idea, I must agree. I just assumed most people put it in 4L before the slope. Anyway, I never did this myself, this is just what my buddy said the GM mechanic told him to do if it grinds too much. It may or may not be a good advice, I never tried it myself and probably won't either!

Personnaly, I get some grinding if I go smooth, and pretty much no grinding if I go fast. That's all, and I know for a fact that this is not uncommon and even though it doesn't sound good, it's normal. People who get no grinding are lucky, of course it's better without grinding! But something must be moving in the TC, or otherwise there would be no grinding even if the gears are not aligned, they would just not engage at all.

As far as not engaging the tranfer in N, I could swear that it goes like this: 2H-4H-N-4L. You have to go thru N to get to 4L, just no way around it, did I miss something??

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#97999 - 30/07/03 12:13 AM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XOC Offline
Admin
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Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
If it's grinding, then it's not normal, and it's wearing out parts in the transfer case.

I've seen a lot of people handle the transfer case lever too gently, and listened to it grind.

Grab it, and yank it back as quickly as you can, then push it down, and do it again. You won't break it.

Watch this video I made, and don't do it any other way.

How to Shift the Transfer Case

Sorry about the lame-ass Quicktime format. You'll have to allow Apple to fuck up your computer in order to watch it.
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#98000 - 30/07/03 12:19 PM Re: 4 LOW ?? HOW CAN I TELL??
XChosen Offline
Member

Registered: 15/05/03
Posts: 469
Loc: Mustang, OK
I hadn't actually tried to go into 4lo yet. 4hi several times. I tried it today for grins. The push in is the key and I had zero grinding.

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