You can use 4H just fine off-road in dry conditions. Just don't do it too much on the road. Off the pavement and concrete there is enough give on the ground for you to not hurt anything. My first truck was a 4wd and I've been using 4hi off road ever since, including this new truck. Never with any truck that had something like these newer 4 auto systems. Never any trouble.

If you're rock crawling or on a dry, clean rock base you may have to treat it like you would pavement. I'm not sure, I've never been in an area with terrain like that. I'd still try it. If you turn sharp and it binds you can tell. At that point I guess you just learn to take your sharp turns in 2hi.

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You can use 4H just fine off-road in dry conditions. Just don't do it too much on the road. Off the pavement and concrete there is enough give on the ground for you to not hurt anything. My first truck was a 4wd and I've been using 4hi off road ever since, including this new truck. Never with any truck that had something like these newer 4 auto systems. Never any trouble.

If you're rock crawling or on a dry, clean rock base you may have to treat it like you would pavement. I'm not sure, I've never been in an area with terrain like that. I'd still try it. If you turn sharp and it binds you can tell. At that point I guess you just learn to take your sharp turns in 2hi.

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I'm glad to hear you haven't had issues! I'm expecting the tires to slip one loose rocks but still wasn't sure if that'd still put too much strain on the system. I've been watching a couple Colorodo trails on Youtube I'd like to try and some have hard turns. I might have to try 2H in those areas just to be safe.

 

I'm not sure you would buy 4A specifically because you wanted to go off road. I think you have that backwards. 4A is for 4WD on high traction surfaces, like paved roads.

4Hi and 4Lo are perfect for low traction surfaces, like dirt roads and such.

Or did I misunderstand the question?

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I'm not sure you would buy 4A specifically because you wanted to go off road. I think you have that backwards. 4A is for 4WD on high traction surfaces, like paved roads.

4Hi and 4Lo are perfect for low traction surfaces, like dirt roads and such.

Or did I misunderstand the question?

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So for my situation it'll be light off roading so there will be loose gravel but also areas with tight turns. Based on the other reply loose gravel won't be an issue since the tires will slip but the tight turns (depending on traction) might bind up the 4H system. I know for 4A the system won't bind up. Just don't want to break my truck. lol.

 

That's right. Loose gravel, dirt, grass, any of those types of places no matter how right your turn, you'll be A-OK.

I've had mine bind up on asphalt. You can tell when it's starting to happen, and I don't think it usually equates to automatic damage. The tires still slipped to let the tension off and I gimaced and said to myself "alright let's do that different next time".

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If driving your 4WD truck in 4WD on dirt, gravel, mud, rocks,..... would be harmful, I think you would hear unceasing complaints about 4WD being a waste of $4000

But honestly, you are describing exactly what 4WD is designed for. You are fixing to be in 4WD heaven, Colorado! You have an awesome adventure weapon at your hands. Although the paint job might pay the price at times. Lol



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@mwemaxxowner & @snakebitten You two are awesome, thank you very much! Exactly the answer I was looking for, glad my truck is capable.
I'll be looking into a wrap to protect the paint as well

 

You're quite welcome. Enjoy that truck. Mine with the e locker is easily the most capable daily driver I've ever had.

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Have to agree with the advice given Will add that 4WD off road most binding will occure side to side on the same axle, keep the rear locker open till needed, the front is open unless modified no problem there. The front to back axle binding is much less and nothing to worry about. If you do feel it getting wound up just put it in 2WD for a bit, that can be done in gear and rolling. KM

 

I think you will be alright hahahah.

 

Not a lot of people rock-crawl their F150s, but if really doing so, should be in 4HI. Usually in this situation your tires are dissimilar in articulation and traction anyways, therefore somethings almost always slipping while something else is gripping and binding it not a major concern. You will hear a deep groan if/when binding is occurring in the front end, and if so you need to re-direct your steering or drop to 2hi.

You can turn in 4HI but its better to be done at higher speeds. You will love it off road.

 

I was just meaning if you're on a large, flat high traction rock surface. Maybe between obstacles or something. A flat part of the rocks that mimics pavement. We have a place called "40 acre rock" that is like that. I still think you'd be fine though. I've turned in 4 hi on asphalt and concrete several times.

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Was just responding generally, but yeah, lots of in-betweens situations.

Unless I'm knowingly about to enter/do something crazy, I just stay in 2HI during my travels until I encounter some unwanted slip, then shift over to 4HI. The fact we can flip/flop with a little switch and while moving is lovely.

 

Tool honestly never be in a situation that you need 4LO. Just don't think it's a Jeep, you'll get stuck or start ripping body panels off. If you have side steps don't jam them up into the cab or bed sides, I've seen that many times

 

I respectfully disagree. 4Lo is actually very useful for a variety of situations outside rock crawling, particularly loose, rocky terrain.

Really anytime you need power but want to move slow, 4Lo helps greatly to get precise control over your vehicle. You can do this in 4Hi but it will stress your rear end gearing more, as it's working harder to transfer torque. By switching to 4Lo you gain tons of low-end torque, lots of engine braking control and general relief on your rear end.

 

Sorry in advance, but I could not resist.
We all love relief in our rear end!

 

Out in Arizona the weather can be ....well, perfect all the time-lol
Except for those rainy monsoons that passed us up this Covid Season?>in which when does happen drops huge amounts of H2O that flood the streets!
Perfect time to engage 4W HI on said concrete!
Done it MANY times and have had 0 issues.
Now....doing it on dry pavement will only lead to trouble, unless it's in a straight line.[emoji106]
Offroad is fine to use full time if you want or need to.
I will say that I am a big fan of Fords Electronic Stability control in wet or slick conditions without using 4x4.....yet with an E-Locker to boot that's icing on the cake IMO.

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Most of my hard core 4 wheeling was in manual transmission trucks. Then I pulled a bone head move the first time 4 wheeling in my automatic truck by leaving the truck in 4 low and in drive and thought wow this truck sucks for 4 low. Quickly realized, duh put it in manual and first gear. Truck was back to being a real 4x4.

 

I think manual with 4lo is the way to go when the situation calls for it. Sometimes the rpms get a little too high for my taste and then it shifts abruptly after a bit of hang time there. Shouldn't need to shift much anyway in this driving condition so its definitely how I like to use it.

 

I started off with the Ford Ranger back in the day....and honestly had a ton of fun back in Iowa with those little 4x4's[emoji106]

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You don’t want to go down slippery long steep hills in the wrong gears. Low gear less brakes.
My Toyota was awesome wheeling. $7000 new I didn’t feel so bad beating it up. But today’s truck prices I’m pretty much not hard core anymore.

 

Thats a SICK vintage shot, the 80s style with the 22r is a Hawaii staple.

 

You are correct. 1986 Very reliable 22R.

 

I will use 4A in the rain on paved roads, prefer not to get into 4H unless situation really calls for it. Good tires will help as well.