Do what you please there are many factors involved tire size, road surface (all affecting friction coefficients). My sencond gen will buck like mad trying to do a full lock turn in 4x. My old isuzu rodeo with rear locker turned off would buck like mad in 4x. My toyo land crusier with full lockers off or on in 4x will buck like mad. My mom's LX 470 will buck like mad if the center diff is locked (AWD) and trying to make a tight turn on dry or hard packed pavement.

So I understand using 4x when in the snow I have done it before but if I'm going to make a u-turn on a dry patch I will reach down and pull it out of 4 wheel... Maybe Dodge, Toyota, Isuzu all don't know how to design a 4xs

Edit: Oh and the reasons your U joints are not binding in 2 wheel drive and not 4 does not have anything to do with the ujoints turning all the time. THe reason is the center diff (transfer case) locks the driveshafts together causing them to spin the same speed. When you make a turn in 2x you front tires will make more revolutions than the rear. When in 4x the fronts want to do the same but the front and rear shafts are locked and wont allow, resone for U-joint/suspension binding... Simple physics

 

go buy an IFS truck then. then you'll be complaining about other things also. in the 6 years that I owned my 1/2 ton dodge, solid axle, i have never snapped a U joint driving in snow in 4wd, even when it catches good traction. and those D44 joints are half the size of the D60 and AAM ones. mine does jar and hop a little bit, i've gotten used to it. ya, most other trucks don't have this problem, but how many solid axle trucks are there still being made?

 

Question : The other day I was trying to pull a dually out of the mud. He was pulling a big John Deere on a trailer. In 4wd low, I only had 3 wheels spinning. The left front was on the road and not turning. I ended up hooking two chains together so I could get all wheels on the road and pulled him out with no trouble. Is there a problem with my 4wd ? Does the front not lock up ?

 

The front differential is open.

Rusty

 

I think it has a lot to do with the combination of faster steering ratio and stiffer suspension in the new trucks.

What I mean is, my 99 has a slower steering ratio, so it requires more spinning of the steering wheel to make a turn. The bind in the drivetrain while in 4WD is more noticeable with a faster gear ratio steering box, because it "jerks" out of your hand farther.

My 99 is a lot softer suspended also and soaks up some of the bind.


..................Jim

 

It still doesn't change the fact that most 4wd trucks don't have this problem. [/QUOTE]

Chances are the other trucks you have exp with did NOT have a true limited slip rear axle, or perhaps they had front hubs that do allow the outer front wheel to speed up when turning. Your present truck is a true 4wd in stock trim, change it if you want to, or sell it if you like. But you will never find a more capable pickup.

 

I figure it is really easy with the ELECTRONIC 4x4 control to change it back to 2WD. A simple turn of the dial. So, when in tight radius situations (parking lots,etc.) I will turn the **** and then when back on the road, back to 4WD. Of course, this is in the snow....