Four wheel driving tips

[brownrxmd]

I have a 1980 CJ5 stock diffs, no lockers. I keep my diff fluids maintained etc. I am planning a trip from Ak to the lower 48 to depart around the first of February. A majority of the trip will be on snow and ice covered roads. I am running 31's General AT2 Grabbers Snowflakes that are studded. I also have 2 sets of snow chains. My question is about being in 4x4. Is there any risk of damage by leaving the jeep in 4x4 for a couple of thousand miles? Is there a top speed while the jeeps in 4x4? About the fastest I've driven in 4x4 is around 50 mph. Anyway was curious about driving long distances in 4x4. Thanks

 

[Torxhead]

My '86 owners manual states that you should not operate in 4wd on dry hard surfaced roads for a substained period. So, you might have to be going in and out of 4wd sometimes. If the terrain requires it and you are not getting any driveline vibrations you are good to go.

 

[the chief]

AK to the lower 48 in a CJ5 ? Wow, your tires aren't the only studs on the vehicle!

 

[hondo]

i would say if the roads are plowed no need for 4x4. i would probably check and pack wheel bearings. and only use 4x4 if there is deep snow. remember salt will kill your jeep wash it really well as often as you can. although i don't have that much experience in snow. (never gotten more than 2 inches here)

 

[Lumpy Grits]

If you mean to leave your hubs locked and shift from 2wd hi to 4wd hi, as needed-No issue.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Here's another thing and you probably don't want to hear it. Some states get really prickly about studded tires. With that being said. On icy roads you will be way ahead with the studs. I drove in a regular car for many years in upstate NY with nothing but studded rear tires. No problem at all.

I did find one odd thing out here in Arizona. While Elk hunting up on what we call "the Rim" it snowed hard. I have never been so nervous while driving in snow than I was driving my CJ5 in 4wd on packed snow (icy) roads. 4wd was useless. But in regular snow it was a different story.

As LG wrote, running with your front wheels locked but in 2wd would be no problem. If you need 4wd it would be easier not getting out to lock the hubs. Just stop, snap her in gear and go. You might be able to get away with engaging 4wd on the fly, but I'm not sure of that. Some of the older 4x4's were positively driven, meaning that the front wheels actually drove slightly faster than the rears. That is why it's BAD to drive some 4x4's in gear on dry pavement. Gears bind until something gives. In snow or sand traction gives ever so slightly, not so on pavement. Modern day 4x4's don't do that, at least I don't know of any that are positively driven.

 

[brownrxmd]

My '86 owners manual states that you should not operate in 4wd on dry hard surfaced roads for a substained period. So, you might have to be going in and out of 4wd sometimes. If the terrain requires it and you are not getting any driveline vibrations you are good to go.

thanks I'm used to doing that, sometimes I only spend a minute or so in 4x4. I rarely ever use it.

 

[brownrxmd]

Here's another thing and you probably don't want to hear it. Some states get really prickly about studded tires. With that being said. On icy roads you will be way ahead with the studs. I drove in a regular car for many years in upstate NY with nothing but studded rear tires. No problem at all.

I did find one odd thing out here in Arizona. While Elk hunting up on what we call "the Rim" it snowed hard. I have never been so nervous while driving in snow than I was driving my CJ5 in 4wd on packed snow (icy) roads. 4wd was useless. But in regular snow it was a different story.

As LG wrote, running with your front wheels locked but in 2wd would be no problem. If you need 4wd it would be easier not getting out to lock the hubs. Just stop, snap her in gear and go. You might be able to get away with engaging 4wd on the fly, but I'm not sure of that. Some of the older 4x4's were positively driven, meaning that the front wheels actually drove slightly faster than the rears. That is why it's BAD to drive some 4x4's in gear on dry pavement. Gears bind until something gives. In snow or sand traction gives ever so slightly, not so on pavement. Modern day 4x4's don't do that, at least I don't know of any that are positively driven.

Hey, I've hunted "the Rim" quite a few times, got a elk with muzzle loader over near Schnebley Hill. Hunted over near Payson one season. I built this jeep to drive from Wittmann to Alaska. I've been up here exploring around for a year and a half. This past summer I drove up past the artic down to Yuma (dentist in Algodones) and then up the pacific coast hwy to Homer. Camped all summer. In February I'm heading out for Az. in the snow. woohooo!! Last winter I had some MT tires on and drove to Anchorage about 250 miles from here. It was 42 degrees out and I started spinning like a top, 3 complete spins across 4 lanes of traffic! Felt like I was in a tea cup ride! Luckily nobody died, I didn't hit a snowbank or guardrail or another car, the jeep just finally stopped spinning back in my lane. Definitely it's a challenge to drive one of these on ice.

 

[Torxhead]

Now that's what I call Jeeping!

 

[Peanut Butter]

Use to drive 4 wheel drive in Colorado all the time when we lived there, but can't say I did it for 1000's of miles. Good Luck and we'll await for the pictures under the outdoor section of the forum. Rod






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