How fast can you drive in 4wd?

[RedfishBluegrass]

I put the Crusier in 4wd today just to give the front end some work. I did not lock the hubs but when I hit about 35-40mph I got a vibration in the front end. Is this normal or do I have something out of wack?

 

[TremorX]

It was just the flux capacitor spooling up... 45 more MPH and you could travel through time!




Yeah, right. Like a 60 would ever hit 85.

 

[brownbear]

Well your front drive shaft and diff is turning, so yes you will get more vibration.

I really feel when I am in 4x4, the vibrations are quite noticeable.

You should also once and while engage the hubs and drive for day or so. But don't engage the 4x4 if your driving on dry bare pavement. The 4wheel drive on these trucks like a slippage.

I think the owners manual covers that anyhow.. if you have one, good read.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Don't do that!

You most likely got a vibration 'cause your wheels were not locked in. The front diff and axles were just spinning without any back-pressure so any time your rear wheels provided back-pressure your front drive line would spin bit faster than the back.

If you are going that fast you don't need 4wd, don't run in 4wd without the hubs locked in............ the owners manual says so

 

[kevinmrowland]

yeah, what brownbear said.

And brownbear, I always had a bit of a vibration in 4wd as well, but then I took an older double cardon front shaft and had the double cardon welded on my longer 5spd drive shaft. No more vibration. Something to think about if you haven't already.

 

[RedfishBluegrass]

Thanks guys. I will run it tomarrow with the hubs locked in. I just thought I would give it a work out. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Mace]

1. Don't drive in 4wd on the street, this is not a AWD truck, there needs to be a bit of slack betweent he front and the rear end..

2. there is no way for the front DS to spin faster than the rear. IT is a gear operated tcase. the front spins the same speed at the back, hubs locked or not.

3. I have gone 65+ in 4wd. Anyone that tells you that is a bad idea has not been in a situation where it is nice (long drives on ice or logging roads)

4. if you feel vibrations in 4wd with or without the hubs locked) you have something wrong. modern trucks are ALWAYS locked and have no vibrations. Look for a bad U joint or other issues in the front end.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Gears is gears, and they will not work without back lash.
Even on a perfect drive train when you add every gear, spline, u-joint and other metal to metal power transfer surface there will most certainly be discernible play. You are therefore more likely to notice a buildup of that backlash in the form of vibration if the front half of the drive train is just freewheeling and the back half is alternating between forward and back pressure.

And don't drive in 4wd on dry pavement.

 

[brownbear]

4. if you feel vibrations in 4wd with or without the hubs locked) you have something wrong. modern trucks are ALWAYS locked and have no vibrations. Look for a bad U joint or other issues in the front end.

I have driven in plenty of newer 4x4's(not refering to awd). I have felt slight vibrations in all of them.

But true there could be a bad ujoint etc. I always knew I was in 4x4 in my F250. I could feel slight vibrations.

My cruiser has them too. Its not huge. Just you know your turning stuff.

I don't think speed is bad, as long as the road is slippery enough. I have done drives at 60 mph in 4x4, but I really don't like pushing it much over that.

 

[Benji]

I don't feel vibrations in 4wd, but can definately feel things turning. I see no harm in driving at any speed under 60 mph in 4wd. I could see how it would be nice in baja or other similar terrain. On ice, I would prolly slow it down a bit unless you feel very comfy at that speed.

 

[NocalFJ60]

I don't drive a lot on the highway in 4WD but would if I needed it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=70137

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=65215

 

[David*BJ70]

The service manual in the glove box said : not over 80Km/h

 

[Corbet]

I've done 85 MPH in my FJ40 in 4hi. No vibration. My 60 could use a new front drive shaft so I do get a little shake out of that.

Like others said you should probaly be able to feel that it is in 4. But a vibration is caused by a problem of some sort.