I get a good amount of grinding going into 4LO pretty much any way I do it. Seems to go best with the truck in neutral and rolling slowly.

Because it's a bit tough to get in I rarely shift to 4LO while towing, which seems to be the best use for it...

 

I haul a lot in 4 x 4 low.

Do you have shift on the fly, or the manually activated transfer case?

The shift on the fly option is smooth and quiet while engaging in hi or low. For 4 x 4 low, I come to a complete stop, shift into neutral, foot on the brake and engage the 4 x 4 low button. No noise at all.

But, if I leave it sit overnight in 4 x 4 hi when I start the truck in the mroning there is a quick shriek from the transfer case which is telling me not to park in 4 x 4 for an extended period. If I leave it sit an hour or so in 4 x 4 and start it, no noise either.

 

I have the manual transfer case. I haven't yet had a need for 4 LO, so I generally don't go into that gear. However, periodically, I'll find a dirt road and shift to 4LO and drive for about 1 mile just to make sure everything is still working, and to get the gears broken in a bit.

Dealership and manual says that you should be rolling just slightly before shifting into 4LO to ensure that the gear teeth are meshed together. My father in law has an F350 4x4, and when he shifts in 4 LO or 4 High, he comes to a complete stop to do it.

All I know is that the shift to 4LO with a manual transfer case is NOT smooth. I get ribbed by my bro-in law and father in law (who both drive Ford 4x4 Diesels) who don't experience this problem.

 

a related question.

If I use 4wd for better traction on wet roads (yesterday we had lots of standing water so it was handy)... can I shift in/out to make turns where the traction is too good? Is there a downside to shifting in/out somewhat frequently?

 

I live in Alaska and I use the electronic shift at any speed, no problems, here is a great trick as you are in 2wd on slick roads approaching an intersection switch into 4wd before hitting the brakes truck has great braking in 4wd. I also make it a point to no drive in 4wd on the hiway unless it is glazed ice. i will start out in 4wd and get up to speed then kick it out only in winter time driving.I found it best to stop and put it in 4 lo instead of moving and putting in 4 lo hope this helps

 

djp9747, according to the manual you can also come to a complete stop. Maybe your brother-in-law has a bigger, louder CLUNK if he shifts while on the move. Also in looking it says to shift tranny to Nuetral prior to going to 4LO could that be part of the problem?

 

Equalizer, that may very well be the case. Here's my routine

1. get up to about 10mph speed
2. Take truck out of gear (6spd)
3. Apply brakes to get speed to 2-3 mph
4. Shift transfer case **** from 2wd -> Neutral -> 4Lo in one motion

I guess maybe I'm doing it wrong. I guess I could take the truck out of gear, and then shift the transfer case into neutral. Then bring my speed down to 2-3 mph and shift into 4Lo

 

since these trucks are full time 4x4 50-60 would work. THere are no hubs to engage. I guess it isn't good to run over 60 in 4x4, but I have done it to get past all these idiots when it snows..

 

I cannot get into 4LO at a full stop.
I can only get into 4LO while rolling slowly in neutral (48RE) after having put the 4wd shifter in N first. No matter what I do it grinds a little as I ease it in.