Winter weather driving

[BluebroncoNC]

I'm so confused reading this thread...

So, should I or should I not remove the top when it is partly cloudy and 72 degrees outside?

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[Msell71]

I'm so confused reading this thread...

So, should I or should I not remove the top when it is partly cloudy and 72 degrees outside?

72°?? Have you lost your mind?

 

[the poacher]

Hey Yaya91,
In answer to your question, if the roads are slippery, and you do not have 4A, by all means put your Bronco into 4H and get to your destination safely.
For decades I have driven in winter conditions, and at your speeds you have described, you will not damage your Bronco, and you will be safe in 4H.

 

[indio22]

It's funny hearing lower 48 people's opinions of when to use 4x4.

Our roads aren't salted, so what looks like pavement is actually ice. 6 months of the year I'm in 4H or 4A and run studded a snow tires. You can run 100 mph in 4H it won't hurt a thing, just don't turn sharp on dry pavement. Ran all my 4x4s like this for decades, never had to repair a differential or T-case. I've seen way to many trucks and suvs go flying off the road because they had it in 2wd and lost it on a hill or curve. You have 4x4, use it.

Agreed. In my case, the Dana 18 and Dana 300 tcases in my CJs did not break using 4H on pavement when snowing. Mainly I tried to avoid sharper turns on dry pavement sections, shifted back to 2H. Hopefully the Bronco tcase is not so weak it can't handle some stress like the old school tcases.

 

[userdude]

I run 4A fulltime all the time (I'll found out if it wears out anything...), but I go back to what a few people said: 4H ain't gonna save you from sloppy driving habits.

And yeah, one time I ran 4H all the way home from Barnwell Mountain (2.5 hours at 85mph) in summer, in Texas. Didn't realize it until I tried to back into my garage and my steering got all weird. Many of us "lower 48ers" (CONUSites?) do best just staying home.

We get ice in DFW most years around here (avoid the bridges...) and it's funny to watch the spinners on the highway if no one gets hurt, but it can get ugly.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...as-interstate-leaves-least-five-dead-n1257454

 

[Brisco2]

I thought 4A was standard on the Raptor?

 

[Ducati1098]

I thought 4A was standard on the Raptor?

It is. This thread is in the wrong section.

 

[GRB1959]

So I am assuming that when in 2H that the drive wheels are the rear wheels. Is this a correct assumption?

 

[Msell71]

So I am assuming that when in 2H that the drive wheels are the rear wheels. Is this a correct assumption?

Yes

 

[MNBigfoot]

I'm so confused reading this thread...

So, should I or should I not remove the top when it is partly cloudy and 72 degrees outside?

It will add undo stress and result in premature wear on the top, thus it is ill advised.

 

[vrtical]

soo many buttons.

 

[BroncocnorB]

When I was younger I drove 2H many times. But I grew out of that phase. Now I just smoke once in a while

 

[Heckler]

Yep, this is why 4A or (all wheel drive) exists, in 4Lo or 4Hi the front and rear wheels turn at different speeds, the front wheels turn faster than the rear, this is to allow the front to have more of a pull than the rear, it’s fine on loose surfaces because it allows the front wheels to slip, if you jack up your truck and get all 4 wheels off the ground and put it in gear you will clearly see this. 4A or all wheel drive vehicles all the wheels turn the same speed.

Now modern transfer cases and transmissions are much more advanced than the ones from back in the day, they can handle some binding but at the cost of replacements these days I wouldn’t run 4Hi or low on hard surfaces.

No issues running 4Hi on a frozen ice/snow covered or gravel road at speed as you will still have some slippage in those wheels, in fact if it’s icy I prefer 4HI over 4A because it helps keep the front wheels tracking straight, kind of like a transfer case with DIG, by slightly dragging the rear it keeps the vehicle straight.

Fricking A... Seriously... I have been to Anchorage, I have been to Nome... funny, your snow and Ice is no different from mine. Like you illuded to that "pavement" in your photo is probably black ice. It allows differentiation (a small tiny amount of slippage).

Have you driven a locked differential or spindle on dry pavement? it spits, jumps, hops.... You hear it, you feel it, and if you are outside the vehicle you see it.

I bet you know what I am talking about. You are telling people that doing that between the front and the rear differential (inside the transfer case) is all fine! I have never had a problem!

That is what 4A is all about. It allows slippage (differential power) between the front and rear. Use it all day long on pavement year round if you want. 4H and 4L DO NOT! On dry pavement they create bind! It creates opposing forces inside the u joints/CVs, in the gears inside the transfer case, in the transmission and at the differential. That is not good for those gears and bearing surfaces. It prematurely wears them. Just because something did not break does not mean you did not cause damage! It accelerates wear! Meaning I would never ever want to purchase one of your used vehicles!

Believe it or not I actually have some expertise in this. I was a certified mechanic. then I earned 4 separate degrees. I taught classes at the university in gear design (among other classes). And you have what? An anecdotal "I have done it for years and never broken anything"... And you think the rest of us are idiots?

 

[raptorusmaximus]

I'll say one thing..... if your in 2h on a slippery surface....Bronco's spin out VERY easily (short wheel base)

 

[MNBigfoot]

I'll say one thing..... if your in 2h on a slippery surface....Bronco's spin out VERY easily (short wheel base)

40 years of winter driving, agree with this 100%

No driving Mode will 'prevent' you from getting stuck or losing control. Using 4H to keep from slipping is like carrying an umbrella to keep it from raining. .........
.......
The best mode to be in is 4A (if you have it) or 2H. When you get into trouble, you should be able to get out of it in 4L. .......

This sounds like someone who has little experience with a RWD truck on ice.

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