what do YOU use 4LO for? | Ford Explorer Forums

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what do YOU use 4LO for?

TarHeel085

And den
Joined
August 22, 2001
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City, State
Raleigh, NC
Year, Model & Trim Level
'99 Sport 4wd
just wonderin as to what situations that most people use 4LO for? i have only used it twice, once for engine compression, and the other time was today. i find it better in 4H to get through tough stuff. my personal opinion is that its only good for steep downhill descents. im interested as to what everyone else thinks.
 



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Sand and sometimes some heavy snow, that about it.
 






I used 4lo to climb steep hills. I try it in 4h first and if I cant make it up, 4lo does the job.
 






Well this idiot used it to go up a switchback inclined driveway with 6-8 inches of heavy wet snow. I spun all the way up it fighting, wheels spinning worried I was going to slide off it again and end up against a tree. Was insulted when an old chevy pulled me out.

He went up and down it freely plowing it, pulling me out. Maybe I should have been in 4Hi. And I had studded tires on, course they are on their 3rd winter.

Why didn't his wheels spin like mine? Lower gearing or a detroit locker maybe??
 






i find that 4LO just throws out WAY to much torque, thats prob why his wheels didnt spin. 4LO just spins your tires makin you lose any and all grip. its easier in 4H and 2nd gear. try that next time.
 






Uh uh uh uh... I use 4lo for FOURWHEELING! Im sure im not the only one though. :D
 






can't use it. Didn't engage it enough or something and now it doesn't shift. I did use it a few time's over the summer hauling a trailor w/ cut down tree's and about 10 junior highers up a steep hill. It was for a youth retreat for my church. 4 Lo was overkill though, everybody told me my ex couldn't haul it and I never HAD to hit the gas to crawl up that hill. Don't have the money for a new shift motor so I can't show off like that anymore:mad: .
 






i don't use it :)
 






Almost every time its in 4 wheel drive its in 4Lo. For rocks and dirt its much easier on the tranny/engine, not to mention much easier to control.

Basically, if I want to go slow offroad its in Lo, if I want to go faster than 20mph its in Hi. :D

I do agree that in snow Lo is probably just going to make you loose traction more easily, but I don't usually have that problem in So Cal. :)
 






Originally posted by Jefe
Almost every time its in 4 wheel drive its in 4Lo. For rocks and dirt its much easier on the tranny/engine, not to mention much easier to control.

Basically, if I want to go slow offroad its in Lo, if I want to go faster than 20mph its in Hi. :D

I do agree that in snow Lo is probably just going to make you loose traction more easily, but I don't usually have that problem in So Cal. :)

me too.... on most of the runs i have ever been on, it has stayed in 4 low most of the time.... there were a few times at thaven when i was only in 4x2, but that was when we were flying down the sand washes at night doing 60! or the sand washes during the day at 60 as well
 






Anytime I get stuck, or need o get out of the stupid automatic only 4 high. I'd use it a lot more if my t- case sounded better. I think my chain is about shot.
 






I spend most of my time on trails in 4 lo. There are just those things you can't crawl up in 4 hi, and it's a pita to keep switchin back and forth :D
 






ZZwwwiiiiiiiizzzzzzzz...

I use it for slow progress in whatever terrain. Also 2 weeks ago I was mooving my father, I had a trailer full (Susuki 4wheeler, 3 feet plow, 4 feet snow blower and all sort of other stuff), when came time to back up into the driveway (medium slope and lots of snow) spun wheel and burn clutch a bit (heavy trailer), put it in 4Lo and vroom up to the garage. I find it usefull to set the 4Lo and unlock the front hubs, I get 2Lo and more control when backing heavy stuff.
 






hey hey ! BEXPLORER !! from Mirabel !! finally a guy from The Province of Quebec ! I thought I was the only one on this forum from Quebec ! Nice to see that`s some Quebecers are on this site.. By the way I use my 4lo only when puling or going up steep hill !..bseides that only 4wd which suit me good.
 






What's 4lo? What's 4hi?

I just hit the gas :bounce: ;)
 






I just 4-lo for everything because the auto 4x4 is downright worthless. As Jefe said, it's much easier on the engine/tranny and that is key.
 


















When I used to have my WAAG brush guard, I used it once to push an Isuzu Trooper out of my way that had blocked me into a parking space here in downtown Houston.

I use it in soft sand and in mud.

Back when I had the stock tires on, I used to use it in street racing. I just used to love seeing the looks on peoples faces when a truck loaded with people kicked their butt up to 40mph. I had this one old guy in an M5 so frustrated one night. :frustrate :hammer: :shoot:

And like Jefe said, when I'm out off-roading on the trail runs I'm usually in 4lo because it's easier on the engine and tranny and gives you more control.
 



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Originally posted by TarHeel085
its easier in 4H and 2nd gear. try that next time.

What?! 4 Hi and 2nd gear. I can tell you one thing that I have found out. Several times I have been at stop light and forgot to shift back into 1st gear from 2nd. My Sport will die if I try to go in 2nd gear, on an inclined snowy slope I can't even begin to see how this would work!
 






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