Shifting in and out of 4wd

[Skierman19]

This is probably a dumb question, but I just bought a 1988 gl wagon and so far ive just driven it in fwd, but how do you shift into 4wd hi and 4wd lo, do you need to use the clutch? Or put the gear shifter in neutral?

Thanks

[DaveT]

Just be rolling, no heavy load one way or the other, not in a turn.

[Skierman19]

You dont need to use the clutch?

[DaveT]

no clutch.  Other detail - all 4 tires the same brand and wear. 
You can get away with slightly different - more so than with AWD, but may make switching in / out of 4WD less smooth.

[Skierman19]

Sweet, thanks

[el_freddo]

When shifting from 4wd high to 4wd low ALWAYS use the clutch!  And it’s best to shift into the next higher gear if on the move

Cheers 

Bennie

[DaveT]

Yes, that makes sense.  I was only thinking of FWD vs 4WD.

[Skierman19]

From what ive heard the 4wd hi is for snow and mud, but im still confused on the use of 4wd lo and the speeds you can use it at

[carfreak85]

In the EA81s they wanted you to make the shift from 2WD to 4WD at less than 50 mph, IIRC.

[DaveT]

FWD and 4WD hi would be for street use and speeds.  Shift in and out on the fly. 

4WD lo is a lot slower ground speed for a given engine rpm.   Think of driving through woods, not on a trail.  Up and down steep hills.  

[rdweninger]

Also, only shift into or out of 4wd on snow or mud roads.   Do not do it on dry pavement.   Use the clutch.  Less than 45mph.

4 Low is for deep snow or trails... just slower than street traffic conditions.

[Numbchux]

6 hours ago, Skierman19 said:

From what ive heard the 4wd hi is for snow and mud, but im still confused on the use of 4wd lo and the speeds you can use it at

Give it a try, and use it as you'd like. It's just another gear. Clutch in to shift between it (can be done moving or otherwise). Just watch the tach, as the rpms will come much quicker than in hi-range. Although your valves will float before you can do any damage to an EA82 anyway....

[robm2]

As long as you are going in a straight line, you can shift from 2HI to 4HI and back at just about any speed you like.  Just back off on the gas when you do.  Clutch works too, but is not necessary.  I have no experience with 4LO.

If your tires are not all the same size, it will stick in 4HI.  If this happens, it is time to rotate the tires to even the wear.

[el_freddo]

6 hours ago, robm2 said:

As long as you are going in a straight line, you can shift from 2HI to 4HI and back at just about any speed you like.  Just back off on the gas when you do.  Clutch works too, but is not necessary.  I have no experience with 4LO.

If your tires are not all the same size, it will stick in 4HI.  If this happens, it is time to rotate the tires to even the wear.

Yeah Bugger the 40/50mph stuff. I’ve slipped into 4wd from 2wd at higher speeds than that (100/110kmph) without issues. Just do it in a straight line. 

With the tyres, if you’re running different sizes or even same size, different brand/tyre model you may have binding issues that will lock it in 4wd - or make the car feel really unstable when that binding tension is released through one wheel. Not fun on snow I can tell you that!

Cheers 

Bennie