Truck Questions and HI!

[scrobo]

Hi!

I've been gone for a while due to a house fire. Noone injured but some good damage done. Thank god for renters insurance. It's nice to be back home though.

Anyways. I have a 2000 GMC Jimmy. 4WD. I'm curious what everyone thinks about maintaining your 4WD. Being my first 4WD vehicle.

Should I engage it often? I do use it when on the trails. But should it still be engaged on straight driving to keep it running good? Is there a certain speed it should be engaged and disengaged at? I noticed if I am standing still it "clunks" when engaged or disengaged. Also how do I tell how much fluid it has in the transfer?

Nice to be back

 

[Capt. Valk]

Re: Truck Questions and HI!

I don't think theres a way to check the fluid level. Your owners manual should have all this info in it. If not ya can prolly find one online. Engaging it once in a while won't hurt anything, but I don't see how it would do any good. Your just engaging the front axles instead of letting them spin freely.

 

[rndn]

Re: Truck Questions and HI!

My Toyota Tacoma states in the manual to engage the four wheel drive high for about 10 miles once per month. This will ensure the four wheel drive components stay well lubricated.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Truck Questions and HI!

I've been gone for a while due to a house fire. Noone injured but some good damage done. Thank god for renters insurance. It's nice to be back home though.

That is always a good feeling... Coming home.

Should I engage it often? I do use it when on the trails.

about once a month if you can.

But should it still be engaged on straight driving to keep it running good?

What ever you do, do not try to turn the wheels on dry pavement with the 4x4 engaged. It won't break anything but it'll sure cause some really loud bangs and cause some damage. If you can, try to find a dirt road to visit that will allow the tires to slip while you turn the wheel in normal driving.

If you don't live where there are dirt roads than try a side street where you can select the 4x4 mode and try to dive in as straight a line as possible for at least 500 feet.

Shift on the fly systems:

4hi in most modern vehilces can be selected (in and or out) up to 55MPH
4lo should not be engaged after speeds of 10MPH

Never try to activate or deactivate these systems above these speeds.

I noticed if I am standing still it "clunks" when engaged or disengaged.

If your system is shift on the fly [SOTF] than this might be the clunking you notice. Otherwise, it's probably just the drive train slack that you are hearing.

Also how do I tell how much fluid it has in the transfercase?

The TC is attached to the back of the transmisison.

You need a 3/8" ratchet without a socket - just the ratchet itself.

Once you locate the TC you will notice two "bung" plugs facing the rear of the truck. One is higher up than the other. The top one is the "fill / full" opening and the bottom one is the "drain." To check for proper fluid level take the 3/8" ratchet and unscrew the top bung. Stick your finger in the hole. If the fluid is at hole or about 1/8" below this is considered full. If not - please feel free to add the proper fluid until it comes out the hole. Let it drain to just about level and reinstall the plug.

Change your TC fluid per the manufactures recommended interval in your owners manual.

 

[scrobo]

Re: Truck Questions and HI!

If you don't live where there are dirt roads than try a side street where you can select the 4x4 mode and try to dive in as straight a line as possible for at least 500 feet.

Shift on the fly systems:

4hi in most modern vehilces can be selected (in and or out) up to 55MPH
4lo should not be engaged after speeds of 10MPH

Well. no problems there. Lots of trails and muddy areas to play in. But I guess if I am in the mud once a month in 4WD then I am giving it all it needs. It really only comes with discovery. When I see that "Unimproved road: Use at own risk" sign I just can't help myself. I should get a winch though...

The TC is attached to the back of the transmisison.

You need a 3/8" ratchet without a socket - just the ratchet itself.

Once you locate the TC you will notice two "bung" plugs facing the rear of the truck. One is higher up than the other. The top one is the "fill / full" opening and the bottom one is the "drain." To check for proper fluid level take the 3/8" ratchet and unscrew the top bung. Stick your finger in the hole. If the fluid is at hole or about 1/8" below this is considered full. If not - please feel free to add the proper fluid until it comes out the hole. Let it drain to just about level and reinstall the plug.

Change your TC fluid per the manufactures recommended interval in your owners manual.

Checked it and did not feel it. So I drained it and changed the fluid. There was fluid in there. Just not enough to get within 1/8" of the hole. Best to be changed I guess.

Thank you for the information.