How to test 4 hi and 4 low?

♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ · 03-06-2005, 03:17 AM

I'm looking to buy a 98' Jimmy that has about 165k on it. I'll make sure to inspect the ball joints, does anyone have pictures of what old or new ones look like? I was also wondering how do you test 4 hi and 4 low? What are some signs to look for to know it is working properly?
Is there anything else I can check or I should ask before deciding?
Any info would be great.

devilman13xx · 03-06-2005, 03:24 AM

dont know nuthin bout 4wd, ithink 4h is 50/50 power distibution and 4l is like 60rear and 40 front. but with the ball joints look for just look for the rubber booties to be tore up and turn the wheel back and forth a few time and listen for sqeeking, see if you can jack it up and wiggle the wheels for free play

check the ass end for water leaks signs on carpet and such, if so then youll need to do some fixin on the led 3rd brake light, mine cracked and leaked water inside

also checks the doors for if the line up right and also with the door partly open see if you call pull up on the door, if it moves a lot or doesnt shut right the first time your need new door shims installed, the doors weigh a ton and chevy used crappy metal for the shims

♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ · 03-06-2005, 03:36 AM

Great tips, i'll definately look out for those

Thankz

devilman13xx · 03-06-2005, 03:41 AM

i squirted 2 tubes of silicone around the rear hinges before i found out it was the damn brake light casing was cracked and not screwed down tight

also with that many miles for that year check all the fuids for colors and recently replaced

if they all new looking then asked why that was done, nobody changes all of em just to sell unless there was a problem with one of em

and just for shitsn giggles peek at under the dash for the paint on the screws to be rubbed off, if so then someone was playing around under there for some reason

Fuzzbutt · 03-06-2005, 03:19 PM

Well with that kind of mileage you should get it to someone with a hoist to look at the entire undercarrige.

Look for signs that maintainence was performed on all the necessary areas. I think there are like 16 lube points for the chassis and front end. All but 1 of mine had ever seen grease since the factory lubed it. Check the diff's and transer case for leaks and good oil level and good oil quality.

Ya the door pins are probably shot and are easy to replace.

At 65000 miles when I got mine it needed a lot of parts to get it right.

The rear disks may not come off if the inner drum has rusted too much.

Get the current owner to pay for the dexcool to be flushed and replaced. It should be on the 3rd or 4th flushing at 165k miles if it is in a cold climate.

Pull the right lower kick panel (the one next to the passenger's right foot) and look for signs of water leaks. Especially around the 4 wheel control module and it's wiring.

Good luck

twodoorblazer · 03-06-2005, 04:49 PM

that seems like a lot for that many miles......

to test 4hi, go to a parking lot, put it in 4hi, then turn in a full left hand circle.... you should be able to tell right way that it is working... it should bind and hop a little. roll down your window, will help you hear it..

4low. stop, put in neutral, and put into 4 low. repeat as stated above.... You should feel the 4x4 binding and the gearing in 4 low is a lot lower.... that is the differece, it's still 50/50 front rear.

twodoorblazer · 03-06-2005, 04:50 PM

also look at all the front suspension grease cushions, they should be full, not flat light pancakes

1fast4by · 03-06-2005, 04:53 PM

4 low is obvious put it in 4low and push the gas 1st gear ends at like 5mph
4 high just try and spin a tire or making turns

♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ · 03-06-2005, 08:25 PM

Thanks for the extra tips. I went to check it out today and it had just been sold.
Now I'm looking for another.
Where is a good place to look for one?
What are some good prices?
Anything below 4 G'z and 98+ seems like a good deal to me.

twodoorblazer · 03-07-2005, 03:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Blue

Thanks for the extra tips. I went to check it out today and it had just been sold.
Now I'm looking for another.
Where is a good place to look for one?
What are some good prices?
Anything below 4 G'z and 98+ seems like a good deal to me.

honestly I think all online sites like autotrader.com etc are all way over priced..... as much as I love technology, stick with your newspaper......

twodoorblazer · 03-07-2005, 03:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 1fast4by

4 low is obvious put it in 4low and push the gas 1st gear ends at like 5mph
4 high just try and spin a tire or making turns

just putting it into 4 low and paying attention to the gearing means only the tranfer case is in LOW range, not that it is actually in 4 low. It will be in 2 low if the front diff doesn't enage for whatever reason....

My point, turning in a slow circle in a parking lot and feeling it "bind" is the best way to determine working status of 4x4 regardless of LOW or HI.

dweh54 · 03-07-2005, 09:29 AM

Ask the guy selling it to show you how to put it into 4x4. Even though it says you can shift at any speed, slow or zero is the best, according to a mechanic at the local dealership. It will shift it, but it will wear out the components faster. Look for excessive vibration while driving highway speed, the front hubs are likely candidates for replacement with that many miles. Jerk the steering wheel back and forth down the highway to shift the weight off of each wheel and see if noise/vibration change.

03-06-2005, 03:17 AM	#1
♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ It's a Blue thing... Age: 24 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,065 Location: ♠ So★Cal ♠ User is: OffLine	How to test 4 hi and 4 low? I'm looking to buy a 98' Jimmy that has about 165k on it. I'll make sure to inspect the ball joints, does anyone have pictures of what old or new ones look like? I was also wondering how do you test 4 hi and 4 low? What are some signs to look for to know it is working properly? Is there anything else I can check or I should ask before deciding? Any info would be great.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 03:24 AM	#2
devilman13xx Same Poop,Different Scoop Age: 29 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,054 Location: Daytona Beach User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? dont know nuthin bout 4wd, ithink 4h is 50/50 power distibution and 4l is like 60rear and 40 front. but with the ball joints look for just look for the rubber booties to be tore up and turn the wheel back and forth a few time and listen for sqeeking, see if you can jack it up and wiggle the wheels for free play check the ass end for water leaks signs on carpet and such, if so then youll need to do some fixin on the led 3rd brake light, mine cracked and leaked water inside also checks the doors for if the line up right and also with the door partly open see if you call pull up on the door, if it moves a lot or doesnt shut right the first time your need new door shims installed, the doors weigh a ton and chevy used crappy metal for the shims
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 03:36 AM	#3
♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ It's a Blue thing... Age: 24 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,065 Location: ♠ So★Cal ♠ User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? Great tips, i'll definately look out for those Thankz
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 03:41 AM	#4
devilman13xx Same Poop,Different Scoop Age: 29 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,054 Location: Daytona Beach User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? i squirted 2 tubes of silicone around the rear hinges before i found out it was the damn brake light casing was cracked and not screwed down tight also with that many miles for that year check all the fuids for colors and recently replaced if they all new looking then asked why that was done, nobody changes all of em just to sell unless there was a problem with one of em and just for shitsn giggles peek at under the dash for the paint on the screws to be rubbed off, if so then someone was playing around under there for some reason
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 03:19 PM	#5
Fuzzbutt Registered User Age: 37 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? Well with that kind of mileage you should get it to someone with a hoist to look at the entire undercarrige. Look for signs that maintainence was performed on all the necessary areas. I think there are like 16 lube points for the chassis and front end. All but 1 of mine had ever seen grease since the factory lubed it. Check the diff's and transer case for leaks and good oil level and good oil quality. Ya the door pins are probably shot and are easy to replace. At 65000 miles when I got mine it needed a lot of parts to get it right. The rear disks may not come off if the inner drum has rusted too much. Get the current owner to pay for the dexcool to be flushed and replaced. It should be on the 3rd or 4th flushing at 165k miles if it is in a cold climate. Pull the right lower kick panel (the one next to the passenger's right foot) and look for signs of water leaks. Especially around the 4 wheel control module and it's wiring. Good luck
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 04:49 PM	#6
twodoorblazer CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 962 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? that seems like a lot for that many miles...... to test 4hi, go to a parking lot, put it in 4hi, then turn in a full left hand circle.... you should be able to tell right way that it is working... it should bind and hop a little. roll down your window, will help you hear it.. 4low. stop, put in neutral, and put into 4 low. repeat as stated above.... You should feel the 4x4 binding and the gearing in 4 low is a lot lower.... that is the differece, it's still 50/50 front rear.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 04:50 PM	#7
twodoorblazer CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 962 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? also look at all the front suspension grease cushions, they should be full, not flat light pancakes
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 04:53 PM	#8
1fast4by I'll need human lives... Age: 26 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 10,095 Location: Green Hills/Nashville User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? 4 low is obvious put it in 4low and push the gas 1st gear ends at like 5mph 4 high just try and spin a tire or making turns
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 08:25 PM	#9
♠ M®. ßlυε ♠ It's a Blue thing... Age: 24 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,065 Location: ♠ So★Cal ♠ User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? Thanks for the extra tips. I went to check it out today and it had just been sold. Now I'm looking for another. Where is a good place to look for one? What are some good prices? Anything below 4 G'z and 98+ seems like a good deal to me.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-07-2005, 03:15 AM	#10
twodoorblazer CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 962 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Blue Thanks for the extra tips. I went to check it out today and it had just been sold. Now I'm looking for another. Where is a good place to look for one? What are some good prices? Anything below 4 G'z and 98+ seems like a good deal to me. honestly I think all online sites like autotrader.com etc are all way over priced..... as much as I love technology, stick with your newspaper......
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-07-2005, 03:20 AM	#11
twodoorblazer CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 962 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? Quote: Originally Posted by 1fast4by 4 low is obvious put it in 4low and push the gas 1st gear ends at like 5mph 4 high just try and spin a tire or making turns just putting it into 4 low and paying attention to the gearing means only the tranfer case is in LOW range, not that it is actually in 4 low. It will be in 2 low if the front diff doesn't enage for whatever reason.... My point, turning in a slow circle in a parking lot and feeling it "bind" is the best way to determine working status of 4x4 regardless of LOW or HI.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-07-2005, 09:29 AM	#12
dweh54 Registered User Age: 31 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 237 Location: Cleveland User is: OffLine	Re: How to test 4 hi and 4 low? Ask the guy selling it to show you how to put it into 4x4. Even though it says you can shift at any speed, slow or zero is the best, according to a mechanic at the local dealership. It will shift it, but it will wear out the components faster. Look for excessive vibration while driving highway speed, the front hubs are likely candidates for replacement with that many miles. Jerk the steering wheel back and forth down the highway to shift the weight off of each wheel and see if noise/vibration change.
	[Reply w/Quote]