I had lots of trucks over the years but never a 4 WD .

Does anything happen to the tranny of the diff. if you never use it in 4WD.

Also have seen thats some trucks have a manual shifter and some have a dial shifter on the dash.

What`s the difference ? is one better that the other?


Thanks,

 

You should use 4x4 mode once in a while to keep everything lubed and operating. Whenever I'm on any kind of dirt or slippery rods, I engage 4Hi. When I'm back up the trailer in a straight line I use 4Lo. Also, if there's something wrong with it you want to find out when you don't need it.

IMO, the lever is better. the switch on the dash involves electronic components with a higher failure rate than the mechanical ones. Sometimes it even involves an electronic control module - a small computer. When that dies, you're stuck w/o 4wd, and it's kind of an expensive fix, and can take weeks to get the parts.

 

When you say everything lubed , what does that mean?

Isn`t the oil in the transfer case being sloshed by normal driving, same for the front diff?

What am i misssing here?

Thanks,

 

With no free spin kit the complete drive system is constantly rotating while driving, no need to occasionally put it in 4x4. Never drive in 4x4 on hard surfaces, the drive system needs some wheel slippage to prevent binding.

I like the manual shifter, no electronics to go bad....

 

I agree that the floor shifter is more reliable but in 125k mi on my truck and a few other higher mileage 3rd Gens haven't had a problem.
Ask the guy a few threads down though and he doesn't like his!
I would opt for manual shift but wouldn't pass up the right truck because it was electronic shift t case.