any way to test 4x4 during a test drive?

fatalshot · 09-13-2009, 01:12 PM

Is there any way to test to see if the 4x4 is working during a test drive other than jacking it up and setting it on jack stands?

crazy91s10 · 09-13-2009, 01:17 PM

find some thick mud...

seriously though... quickest way to find out is put it in 4wd and make a slow left or right turn at full lock.. should feel a little bit of binding while making the turn.

Sammytheorangutan · 09-13-2009, 01:18 PM

Find a gravel parking lot. Roll down the drivers side window. Put the truck in 4Hi and crank the wheel all the way (either way is fine, but I turn to the left). Drive in a SLOW circle. If the front tires scrub, the 4wd works. Stop and shift to 4Lo. Do the same thing.

Merritt · 09-14-2009, 02:39 AM

When I first got my truck the 4x4 vacuum actuator was bad, I found some gravel and put it in 4x4 and gave it some gas. The rear tires spun and the truck didn't move, so I knew the 4x4 wasn't working. Pretty straight forward.

rv34 · 09-14-2009, 05:09 PM

I agree with the gravel method..give it some gas, and if you spin, it doesnt work. you shouldnt be able to spin the front wheel in gravel unless you floor it, so any wheel spin should show a problem..

***orangesonoma*** · 09-14-2009, 11:21 PM

put it in 4wd and try to power brake it..if the rear wheels spin=no 4wd..if it lunges forward=4wd..

thats how i test it

AlabamaNoma · 09-15-2009, 12:35 PM

4 jack stands in my garage.

rv34 · 09-17-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by AlabamaNoma

4 jack stands in my garage.

Too much workon a test drive.

lee-mill · 09-17-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by orangesonoma

put it in 4wd and try to power brake it..if the rear wheels spin=no 4wd..if it lunges forward=4wd..

thats how i test it

x2 the guy i bought my jeep from got all pissy when i did that

MeltingPlastic · 09-17-2009, 12:03 PM

i like the curb method or parking block... pull the truck up to a curb or parking block and let off the gas, in 2wd itll just stop... in 4wd itll want to lurch over the block

09-13-2009, 01:12 PM	#1
fatalshot Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 42 Location: User is: OffLine	any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? Is there any way to test to see if the 4x4 is working during a test drive other than jacking it up and setting it on jack stands?
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09-13-2009, 01:17 PM	#2
crazy91s10 Registered Asshole Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4,103 Location: Moscow, PA / Mansfield, PA User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? find some thick mud... seriously though... quickest way to find out is put it in 4wd and make a slow left or right turn at full lock.. should feel a little bit of binding while making the turn. Last edited by crazy91s10 : 09-13-2009 at 01:19 PM.
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09-13-2009, 01:18 PM	#3
Sammytheorangutan Registered User Age: 42 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 786 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? Find a gravel parking lot. Roll down the drivers side window. Put the truck in 4Hi and crank the wheel all the way (either way is fine, but I turn to the left). Drive in a SLOW circle. If the front tires scrub, the 4wd works. Stop and shift to 4Lo. Do the same thing.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-14-2009, 02:39 AM	#4
Merritt Registered Abuser Age: 24 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8,813 Location: King, NC User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? When I first got my truck the 4x4 vacuum actuator was bad, I found some gravel and put it in 4x4 and gave it some gas. The rear tires spun and the truck didn't move, so I knew the 4x4 wasn't working. Pretty straight forward.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-14-2009, 05:09 PM	#5
rv34 Registered User Age: 20 Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 271 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? I agree with the gravel method..give it some gas, and if you spin, it doesnt work. you shouldnt be able to spin the front wheel in gravel unless you floor it, so any wheel spin should show a problem..
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09-14-2009, 11:21 PM	#6
*orangesonoma* forum idiot Age: 31 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 48,282 Location: Indian Trail, NC User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? put it in 4wd and try to power brake it..if the rear wheels spin=no 4wd..if it lunges forward=4wd.. thats how i test it
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09-15-2009, 12:35 PM	#7
AlabamaNoma I like boobies Age: 23 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 306 Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? 4 jack stands in my garage.
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09-17-2009, 11:40 AM	#8
rv34 Registered User Age: 20 Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 271 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? Quote: Originally Posted by AlabamaNoma 4 jack stands in my garage. Too much workon a test drive.
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09-17-2009, 11:48 AM	#9
lee-mill where's my chippy? Age: 20 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8,021 Location: staatsburg, ny User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? Quote: Originally Posted by orangesonoma put it in 4wd and try to power brake it..if the rear wheels spin=no 4wd..if it lunges forward=4wd.. thats how i test it x2 the guy i bought my jeep from got all pissy when i did that
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09-17-2009, 12:03 PM	#10
MeltingPlastic Broken Handed Superman Age: 25 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,641 Location: Hackensack, NJ User is: OffLine	Re: any way to test 4x4 during a test drive? i like the curb method or parking block... pull the truck up to a curb or parking block and let off the gas, in 2wd itll just stop... in 4wd itll want to lurch over the block
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