4x4 Question

[Doomstang]

Ok so I have an '02 with the auto 4x4. I have some ramps in my garage that I use to pull my vehicles up on to do various work. With rear wheel drive vehicles, the ramps slide across the smooth floor if I try to put the front wheels up on them. I have a '91 Explorer so when I want to work on that I simply put it in 4x4 and creep right up the ramps without pushing/sliding them across the garage.
The problem is with my '02. When I try to pull the front tires up onto the ramps it always pushes them across the floor. I've tried auto 4x4, 4x4 High, and 4x4 Low and it always pushes them. I thought there was a problem with the 4 wheel drive so I put it up in the air completely (on jack stands) and all 4 tires turned when I pressed the gas. Also, I know the 4x4 is working because we've had some good snow this winter (one was about 20 inches) and I was nearly stuck several times in the parking lot but was eventually able to get out (would have been impossible in 2 wheel).
So basically I'm asking why doesn't my '02 Explorer pull itself up onto the ramps in the garage when in 4 wheel like my '91 does?

 

[M1911A1]

Just go slow...I have an '04 4x4 and have never encounter an issue going up the ramps, forward or reverse. Only if the pavement or the ramps are wet. I would not engage any 4x4 mode other than auto (2WD) You can try putting the truck on 2nd or even 1st gear. And basically just go slow...

 

[Doomstang]

Just go slow...I have an '04 4x4 and have never encounter an issue going up the ramps, forward or reverse. Only if the pavement or the ramps are wet. I would not engage any 4x4 mode other than auto (2WD) You can try putting the truck on 2nd or even 1st gear. And basically just go slow...

I've tried it...my dad said the same thing to me so I let him try it and they slid every time for him too no matter how slow he went. The '91 has no problem with it so he is the one that brought up the question of a potential problem.
No matter what mode, it doesn't seem like the front wheels pull as much as the rear wheels push (which is what would be necessary to go up a ramp that slides easily on the floor).

 

[dwilly99]

maybe something with the different tires on the explorers??

 

[College Student]

just stick something in front of the ramps to stop them from sliding then roll up them

whats wrong is that the tire is slipping on the ramp surface or maybe even getting on top of the ramp a little then the friction constant between the ramps and the cement isn't enough to hold them still

in conclusion change the surface that the ramps are on or put something in thier way so they cant slide

hope this helps

 

[lynchy wa]

Good idea mate. Maybe some old rubber backed carpet or rubber mat?

 

[M1911A1]

By the way Doomstang, how are your tires? do you have good threads? otherwise you would be "pushing" with the front tires instead of "biting" the ramps. Try going over a dirt or grassy (dry) surface, to see if you notice a difference.

 

[Doomstang]

just stick something in front of the ramps to stop them from sliding then roll up them

whats wrong is that the tire is slipping on the ramp surface or maybe even getting on top of the ramp a little then the friction constant between the ramps and the cement isn't enough to hold them still

in conclusion change the surface that the ramps are on or put something in thier way so they cant slide

hope this helps

I see what you are saying. I tried some other blocks of wood and stuff behind the ramp but everything slides so easy on that smooth cement floor. I would agree that it's just the flooring issue if my '91 weren't able to do the exact same thing without pushing the ramps. The flooring is obviously the root of the problem but the 2 explorers 4x4 apparently works different because one goes up it fine and the other simply pushes it.

By the way Doomstang, how are your tires? do you have good threads? otherwise you would be "pushing" with the front tires instead of "biting" the ramps. Try going over a dirt or grassy (dry) surface, to see if you notice a difference.

The tires on the '02 are only a few months old. They are the same tread style that the '91 has (but the '91s tires are a bit more worn, still sufficient though).

Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I will probably just get some old carpeting to put under the ramps to see if that is enough to keep them from sliding. If both explorers acted the same going up the ramps I'd have no problem with it. The fact that my '02 can't do what my '91 can just had me a bit worried that something was wrong.

 

[College Student]

i wouldn't worry about it,

but if you are then you could do the ultimate test and lift all four tires by jacking up the entire car then testing your four wheel drive but be very careful this isn't safe and i would never do it myself

 

[lynchy wa]

Or find a gravel road, put it in 4x4 high, give it a boot full then go back and check your skid mark's.

 

[College Student]

True make sure it's loose gravel tho, my gravel road is packed harder than concrete so it does no good to try on that type of gravel road

 

[D Hook]

i wouldn't worry about it,

but if you are then you could do the ultimate test and lift all four tires by jacking up the entire car then testing your four wheel drive but be very careful this isn't safe and i would never do it myself

Check his first post:

I thought there was a problem with the 4 wheel drive so I put it up in the air completely (on jack stands) and all 4 tires turned when I pressed the gas.