Well I have a 15:1 crawl ratio in first gear and a rear locker. I don't neccesarily care too much about having the most capable rig or something that can climb like a goat. I just don't want to be able to get to some nice locations and be able to camp farther away from the normal camp grounds and not have to fear that I will get stuck. So I wont be taking the more difficult path on purpose or anything. I want to explore, not go "wheeling" or try to push my truck to it's limits just to see what it is capable of. After doing some more research and looking at other posts on here I don't think I will have to worry too much. If all else fails I can always just start throwing money into the truck when I feel the need to lol
is low range neccesary?
- Thread starter Canyonero_
- Start date
Member II
The most I have used 4L is in conjunction with my tiptronic transmission when descending steep inclines when compression braking. Having the transfer case in 4L-LC and putting the transmission in second gear allows me to gently ease downhill without riding the brakes. I have yet to need to to get through a low-traction situation.
If you drive big trucks, the reason is obvious, truck drivers no longer know how to drive.... seriously !!
But for us 4 wheelers, the automatic is in everything because it can be programmed to deliver better fuel economy and lower emissions than anything with a clutch. No matter how skilled you are automatics are better for the environment... I just hate them.
because it is so much fun !
who needs a clutch !!
Last edited:
I always found the technique used to shift an 18 speed to be completely asinine. Is that really the best user interface, they could figure out back then? I'd spec something auto-ish just to get away from that.
Dual clutch semi autos are the future.
www.truckinginfo.com
Dual clutch semi autos are the future.
Volvo I-Shift Dual Clutch: Smooth Operator
Volvo Truck claims to be first in the world to launch a dual-clutch automated mechanical transmission in heavy trucks. HDT European Editor Sven-Erik Lindstrand takes it for a spin.
Member III
Not sure if you have a new Chevy or a new to you Chevy?
I have a 2011 Tahoe and it came with a single speed transfer but a two speed was an option for that model.
I did a couple trips with our local overland group and on a few occasions I would have liked being able to shift into low for the extra control going up or down hills and through rough areas.
Then I replaced the single with a two speed it was a very simple swap and stabilitrac traction control etc all work fine with it. It cost less than $500 for a used transfer.
I did a trip this past weekend where I was in 4 low for 2 hours going in and 2.5 hours on my return trip and would have hated not having the option. Not having the braking abilities would have been much harder and would have resulted in sliding down hills with far less control. Crawling over boulders and rock filed trails would have been a bumpier ride too. Going up a hill off camber with large boulders using torque instead of momentum and going down hill on much the same terrain with more controlled braking was much safer too. I was very glad I had the low speed it saved a lot of trouble.
As mentioned above if you never take those trails you will not have a problem..
9,13,18 speeds are my all time favourite transmissions, shifting is one of those reasons I love drivingI always found the technique used to shift an 18 speed to be completely asinine. Is that really the best user interface, they could figure out back then? I'd spec something auto-ish just to get away from that.
Dual clutch semi autos are the future.
Volvo I-Shift Dual Clutch: Smooth Operator
Volvo Truck claims to be first in the world to launch a dual-clutch automated mechanical transmission in heavy trucks. HDT European Editor Sven-Erik Lindstrand takes it for a spin.
Last edited:
I will run entire trails in 4lo just Soni so t have to stop and put it back into 4hi. The braking with my vehicle is the opposite however and when I am in 4lo the engine will push right through the brakes because of the amount of torque behind it. The clutch pedal is a necessity for me.
I do like to get myself into trails that need some ground clearance and a 36" minimum tire but then I don't have to listen to other vehicles drive around me all weekend while I camp because they can't get as far in lol. Usually ends up leading to a cleaner camp site in the end as well.
Off-Road Ranger I
Is low necessary? Not for the vast majority of situations. Is it advantageous, absolutely. I shift into 4 Low as soon as I hit the trail. I love in between 2 mountain ranges so I’m going up and down constantly. I find low range leads to less dramatic down shifting. It shifts between the upper gears more smoothly than if were in high and constantly downshifting into first
Is he not able to manually select gears? Mine is automatic, but I can manually select gears and drive downhill all day without riding the brakes.
I understand, but I am thinking this may be a dual transfer case or some uncommon setup listed above.
mine is roughly a 600:1 crawl ratio when calculated (4.46 1st gear, 2.73 tc, 4.88 gears in axles ) but this is why I am thinking a 15:1 may be specific parts.
mine is roughly a 600:1 crawl ratio when calculated (4.46 1st gear, 2.73 tc, 4.88 gears in axles ) but this is why I am thinking a 15:1 may be specific parts.
redo the math... 4.46 (2.73) 4.88 = 35.08..... edit 59.41.....
my TJ Rubi........ 4.46 (4.00) 4.10 = 73.14
Last edited:
sorry redid my math I hade that number writen don from another calculation and the ratio is 59.42
I am thinking strictly t-case gearing in this case.without trans or axles factored in. He never stated it was a final crawl ratio. Its like saying someone who is running an atlas t-case has a 4:1 crawl ratio
Boostpowered
Rank VI
Member III
Need it for what? heavy Rock crawling? Popping out of the sticky mud? Plowing snow? Making it up a steep slippery hill? If your not encountering these you may not need it, heck as long as you have a winch you dont even need 4wd on most stuff. On the issue of using it for engine braking don't do that your putting wear on a t case that cost way more than some good brake pads/ rotor. Only reason to use brakes off road is if your out of control or your front diff is open and slipping at which point you feather the brakes while accelerating and the slowing of the spinning tire causes the torque to transfer to the wheel on the ground that isnt spinning, its a old school trick to make an open diff act like a locker.
Same as most of us in high range. My Rubi is only 4.46 (4.10) = 18.28 in 2/4HI.
Most guys who regeared and run 4.88 or deeper also bought bigger tires effectively retaining the stock crawl ratio.
I feel that 4Lo is a good fit for lower powered 4x4s. My son was always having iusses driving his 09 Tacoma off road, it has the 4 cylinder with a manual transmission. One day on a trip, I asked if he was in 4Lo and he said he never used it. He put it in 4Lo and has never had an issue in sand or climbing again.
Our 1942 Ford MB we had 30 years ago or so had the original flat head engine with Model "T" trans and two stick transfer case. Engine had like 40 or so horse power but lots of torque, in 4Lo it could almost idle up a hill in second gear.
Our current f250 2wd with 7.3 PS, Auto, 4:10 gears and locker can climb pretty could in 1st gear and go through sand.
For me I feel having enough power to keep moving with out spins the tires is the key. If the engine can not do it on it's own - then you need the gearing to do it.
Gearing lets you get the engine into it's power band without having to have lots of speed.
Our 1942 Ford MB we had 30 years ago or so had the original flat head engine with Model "T" trans and two stick transfer case. Engine had like 40 or so horse power but lots of torque, in 4Lo it could almost idle up a hill in second gear.
Our current f250 2wd with 7.3 PS, Auto, 4:10 gears and locker can climb pretty could in 1st gear and go through sand.
For me I feel having enough power to keep moving with out spins the tires is the key. If the engine can not do it on it's own - then you need the gearing to do it.
Gearing lets you get the engine into it's power band without having to have lots of speed.
I have a 2019. They came with a single speed speed transfer case and something called "terrain mode" where the vehicle uses the transmission, torque converter, and brakes to simulate the slow creep and crawl of low range. obviously without the added torque since it is a 1:1 transfer case. I haven't seen anyone test it off road yet. My concern with it would be brakes or transmission overheating when using terrain mode. It does have a cool feature where it will not move the truck at all unless you touch the brakes and the accelerator becomes less sensitive so you can move very small amounts. Still, if this mode was "better" than having 4lo then it would be an option on the trailboss and z71 trucks. Those still have a two speed transfer case.
Did you have to reprogram the BCM or TCM when swapping the transfer case? I got a great deal on this truck so I am keeping it for sure since I keep my trucks a long time but if I could swap the transfer case myself it would be awesome. From what I can tell the trucks are identical besides the transfer case so in theory it would all bolt up
I have a single speed transfer case with only 4hi so it's a 1:1 transfer case. rear end is 3.23 and 1st is 4.6
