A common mistake new off-roaders make is they don't know when to shift into 4 Low. #offroad #4low Full video here: • 12 Mistakes Every New ... 🌐 TRAILRECON.COM 🌐 bit.ly/trailreconstore
He’s a former Navy Master Chief that was a corpsman and spent time with the Marines. As a former Marine, I can tell you his Ward Cleaver act is just that. Don’t be fooled. His wife and kids know the real Brad.
I use 4 LOW anytime I know I'll be limited to less that 20 MPH-ish off-road. I also drag my 10K pound travel up a mountain with about 6000 feet of elevation gain during deer and elk season, and frequently use 4 LOW when descending just to make it easier on the brakes.
That was the basic rule of thumb driving on steep hills on any kind of road when I got my drivers license: Downhill with no brakes is the same gear that works nicely uphill. This was later enforced when I learned terrain driving during military service.
Well, if people read the damn manual, they would find information in there regarding when to use 4-low, and how to properly engage it without damaging rhe transfer case.
I tell people that low range is a tool that should be used whenever possible. Climbing/descending steep fsr, towing heavy trailers offroad, and more. Don't think "do I need it", instead I like to think "can I use it"
@@BillyBob-im7og if you have a manual mode that allows you to select a gear, then the basic answer is no. it will not harm your vehicle. but do not over rev the vehicle going down a hill. keep rpms from running away.
@@BillyBob-im7og You have to keep the RPMs down under redline and definitely do not shift into 1st when you are going too fast for that gear. Also, you should know what speed your car red lines at in 1st gear. If you downshift to 1st, you MUST be going WELL UNDER your known REDLINE speed. Otherwise you WILL DAMAGE your engine and probably transmission as well. (A modern car should theoretically not allow that shift, but I wouldn’t my whole drivetrain on it) This applies to downshifting for any gear, not just first. Each gear will have it’s own redline speed and you want to be a nice margin below that. I don’t want to make specific recommendations without knowing your vehicle but, on anything other than the most expensive high-performance engines, I don’t feel comfortable downshifting if I know my RPMs are going to go up much beyond 3500 or 4000 rpm on a car that has a 6000 RPM redline. Just because an engine can be wound up to a certain speed briefly under the most demanding acceleration, does not mean it’s smart to instantly wind that engine up to that speed. Plus, if you are going downhill and you shift into near redline, then gravity pulls you a little faster downhill, you are instantly hitting redline, and having to shift again anyways.
I have heard many times. People saying they don’t even put it into 4wd until they get stuck, 4 low and or lockers are just to get you out. I think these people just enjoy being stuck.
I prefer 4 LOW whenever possible, as it is far easier on the transmission. This is due to the higher rotation per torque ratio that acts on the transmission as well as higher apply pressure of transmission clutches due to higher transmission pump speeds. It is a win-win.
2020+ wrangler 4xe manual recommends a less than 3 mph roll to engage 4-Lo. Worked better than stopped. My Square body does not care if you’re slightly rolling or stopped. I had a Ford that was a push button 4WD and that thing was a pain. Roll backwards then forward, say a prayer, sacrifice a goat and sit through a seminar. Then MAYBE it would go 4-Lo!!
When I first started wheeling, I had a manual 2017 Willys Wheeler. I always used 4-low. My friends that had automatics would brag "I dont even need to put mine in low gear". Never thought much of it. I do remember how often I'd see them spinning or high revving though. Especially on the intense trails in big bear.
I use 4low anytime im doing about 20 or less and/or hitting hill. One mistake i noticed thats common for beginners is trying to shift into low while still moving. Ive always driven 4x4's from the 70's and it was necessary to be at a stop, but you could shift into 4high in motion. Now sure about these newer vehicles though
Same for newer vehicles too. Full stop for 4Low, can shift into 4Hi while moving except a lot of modern vehicles limit how fast you can go in 4Hi. We have a 2011 Rav4 that automatically kicks out of 4Hi around 30MPH (which is a bit annoying lol). My RAM I can run at least 70 in 4Hi.
Jeep JLs you shift while rolling slightly. If you attempt at a stop, you are going to have a hard time. The transfer case will just pop into neutral and you have to fight it to engage. Literally the manual says to shift while moving. So no, it isn't a mistake that is common for beginners. Beginners actually read the manual unlike those that claim to know it all but don't.
Slow speeds going thru trails and technical turns and speed hills also helps keep the transmission temps down. If I pull a heavy trailer Offroad and am under 20 mph I’ll go to 4low and the transmission never gets hot.
Also, know your vehicle. My brother has a 79 Jeep CJ7. In order to use 4wd, you have to get out and lock the front wheel hubs first, then shift into 4wd. My XJ is much easier, stop, shift to neutral, then shift into 4wd.
I love this kind of advice! I bought a Rubicon a while ago and I really love it. But I do have to learn how to use its features better. I've been to Moab, Little Moab, Hurricane, through the mountains, etc... The Jeep is just a fantastic vehicle for the trails. It's just wide enough too.
One way to remember to use 4 low is ; if you wish to “crawl “ over an obstacle, then put it in 4 low before you start your clime or descent: CRAWL-4LOW Thank you Brad, and like others said select low in your automatic transmission as well for those steep climbs and decent, and let the engine braking help you as you slowly descend, unless of course if your modern 4x4 has hill decent mode then let it do it’s job 👍🏼
My rigs don't always turn the best in 4-low. But I do use 4-low to get the camper up on leveling blocks. Works great, in fact that's one of the reasons I insisted my tow rig have 4WD.
As soon as I get off a graded road I put in in 4 low. I find it funny that some people think is somehow macho to do a trail without going into 4wd and especially low 4wd.
I am often with a group that does this. I feel like it is one thing as a game, like let's see how far I can go, but there's a big difference between that and puffing out your chest saying "Oh you used 4WD? I DIDN'T NEED IT!" It's kind of like using a screwdriver when you have a drill on your tool belt.
People don't seem to realize how much refusing to switch into 4WD can tear up the trails too. I get that it's a fun challenge, but people need to show some basic respect for the trails and save that stuff for OHV areas that are already chopped up. It drives me especially crazy as someone who frequently has to use these dirt access roads for work. A beat up trail can be fun on my own time in my own truck. Trying to get a bone stock fleet truck through them in a timely manner... not so much.
Was climbing Mt Princeton in Colorado, following a friend and he kept complaining his trans temps were climbing. We even had to stop and eat lunch on a switchback to let it cool off. After reaching the summit and enjoying the view, we headed down. When he downshifted for the descent, he realized that he hadn't ever shifted into 4Low, and he's an experienced off roader! Just a forgetful oversite that nearly cost him a trans!
Good info. Theres also a note on usage. I came from swampy delta land. Lows not that great in mud. Wheel speed to clear tread makes a diff. On rock and trail. Def low. Gotta know your rig combination and capabilities
To anyone who doesn't know he built the Red 392 JL, his wife's yellow 2 Door JL, and the kitted out Silver JK I aspire to be like this man, good morals and attitude; and even better taste in jeeps
I always cringe a bit when a random guy from the group pipes up with “i havent even take it out of 2 high yet” like dude its not contest to idle 2k higher than the group. Your rig will thank you on the ascent by not puking coolant all over the trail or grenading a set if ring gears pulling 100% when they could have been pulling 50:50
My 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe is pretty straight forward. Just shift it into neutral and then press the drive mode selector buttons on the left hand side of the steering wheel and select 4 low and then return the vehicle to drive.
I hate to break it to you, but that's just as true on the roads. Yet half the people there are so clueless you wonder how they managed to even pass the driver's test.
I like that my truck is a 4 speed with granny low, 4 high in first gear feels like low range in most trucks, it's nice to chug around at 3 mph and be able to bang threw a gear or two and get up to 40 mph without switching the Tcase
Same goes for Range Rovers, yes it's capable, but when doing some off-road driving, I've noticed a hell of a smoother and nicer experience when using low-range gearing with the correct traction control program. I now use it all the time when going off-road when compared to when I started taking it off-road.
I generally use 4 Low when going up hill on trails, also if I'm doing some obstacles. Now, my last truck did not have locking differentials. My current one has a locking rear differential. I can't wait to try it out soon.
Or if you're an SSG in the army, and you have no idea how 4 wheel drive works, you slam that hmmwv transfer case lever while still in motion, and ignore the horrible grinding sound.
It's difficult when you have a an automatic jeep TJ that in the literal owners manual it states even if done correctly as an automatic there is a flaw where it will grind gears and get stuck in neutral
That’s one thing, but then you got to understand the ratio differences, or power from 1st to 5th, and identify which gear will be best to tackle the obstacle ahead.. for example, a rutted rocky section you have to crawl on at slow speed, 1st gear.. a short hill climb 2nd.. sandy section, 2nd/3rd or even 4th or 5th, whether it’s flat or bumpy sand will depend.. same goes with a muddy section, if it’s flat, 5th all the way probably don’t even need RPM lol, just idle through on the gears and tires. A lot of people don’t know how to use their low range gears. Most cars now are automatic anyway, they got pretty labels and pictures to help muppets these days
Some jeeps especially those with the selec trac system if you look in the owners manual you don’t stop put it in neutral then shift to 4low. You slow down to about 4 miles per hour and shift into neutral and while coasting in neutral at 2-4 mph you shift into 4 low. Better hope you are on flat ground or a decline. Your not going to going to coast very far in neutral going up hill 😅
Great to have no worries but this nonsense! Sorry but I can’t get into this mindset. But good for you if you like it. 😂😂can you do this without a flannel shirt?
I barely use 4Low i only need it when my ride needs more torque, or if its not down shifting enough to make the clime. but other than that im balls to the wall 😅
Which iteration of the Wrangler you have makes a difference on how you put it in 4 low. My 2009 JKU absolutely will not go into 4 low if I'm stopped. I have to be moving about 3mph to get it into low, which is what the manual says to do.
I had been using 4wd low in jeep sport s without realizing and whenever I turn my whole steering wheel wobble crazy and whenever I go above 15mph my car stop and make aggressive sound 😅 that was before now I know about 4wd
