is low range neccesary?

[Canyonero_]

anyone here overlanding without 4lo? I bought a new Silverado that is 4x4 but apparently doesn't have low range. Just a "terrain" mode that emulate low range using the brakes to slow the vehicle down. I keep seeing mixed things online with some people saying 4lo is absolutely neccesary and others saying that they always just use 4hi. I know I have a full size so I am already limited with my vehicle size but are there really any situations I could get into with a full size that low range is going to make a difference? I do have the g80 automatic rear locker at least

 

[Ralph]

Transfer box offloading a gearbox in scale of ratio. And this is the first reason to install LO in off-road vehicles. So using it depend on conditions, speed, friction .... etc
I use 4LO only while crowling or very precise manuevering. We have plenty of muddy trails and paradoxically 4HI makes a traction better (snow effect)

 

[roots66]

I too have a G80 rear locker and it does make a difference. However, 99% of the time I need 4x4 at all, it's 4-hi. Even while driving on soft sand. I have only needed 4-lo just once, on the Medano Pass when going up a 33 degree incline.

 

[Ralph]

could'nt imagine going without 4lo.
my truck is a manual and for technical or knarly stuff, i only need to use the throttle- no clutch, no brakes.
also a boon when when backing up the trailer off road- steady, under control and again, only need the throttle
quite often i will cruise the bush in 4lo, 3rd gear. nice to always have that torque multiplication on tap ready to go.
my puppies also love 4lo, just the right speed in third for them to dick around and still keep up and not get left behind

That is important
Automatic GB makes this difference obvious. I also drive manuals and believe auto would make it easier sometimes - and I have to put 4LO

 

[M Rose]

I’m the opposite of @Roots66, I don’t use 4 wheel drive a lot, but when I do it’s 4lo, compression breaking and better matching rpms to desired road speeds for the area I’m traveling. That being said, a 2 wheel drive with a granny low fist gear does just fine as well.

 

[WAYAWAY]

It's gotten me out of places that i imagine would have been possible without 4LO.. but I'd really have had to give the rig a workout. With the low gear the challenges have been a snap.

 

[Billiebob]

Depends mostly on how loaded you are and your definition of overlanding.
Since none of us can answer those questions.....

But 4LO vs 4HI is like starting in 1st gear or 2nd gear.
Technically you have AWD, great in all situations except climbing out of a wash or crawling down a steep ditch or ....
And how heavy is your truck. If you are well below the GVWR you might be OK. But if you are 100% GVWR or more and travelling thru soft ground with lots of resistance..... think of it like riding the clutch.... eventually something in the transmission will implode.

The line, we give you 4LO by applying the brakes is pure political marketing spin. How is applying the brakes as you try to climb out of the ditch back onto the road going to help you. That is the spot you need lower gearing 4LO gives you. Please go spill some coffee on the salesman who tried to sell auto brake application when you need full gas.

4LO definitely lets you do more with more control. Plus 4LO lets you go slower and lets you tread lightly. Good for the ground and your truck.

 

[Dilldog]

Gear reduction is always an advantage, but I dont think its needed. Having wheeled both with it and without it the only time I really miss it is on steep and long descents.

 

[MidOH]

Nope. It's nice. But the fullsize friendly trips over here don't require it at all.

I use it to cross a sharp rutted ditch that a thunder storm added to my dirt road. I only use it because I'm being cautious and slow. I can do the same by keeping my left foot on the brake in 4H.

 

[Dilldog]

Depends mostly on how loaded you are and your definition of overlanding.
Since none of us can answer those questions.....

But 4LO vs 4HI is like starting in 1st gear or 2nd gear.
Technically you have AWD, great in all situations except climbing out of a wash or crawling down a steep ditch or ....
And how heavy is your truck. If you are well below the GVWR you might be OK. But if you are 100% GVWR or more and travelling thru soft ground with lots of resistance..... think of it like riding the clutch.... eventually something in the transmission will implode.

The line, we give you 4LO by applying the brakes is pure political marketing spin. How is applying the brakes as you try to climb out of the ditch back onto the road going to help you. That is the spot you need lower gearing 4LO gives you. Please go spill some coffee on the salesman who tried to sell auto brake application when you need full gas.

4LO definitely lets you do more with more control. Plus 4LO lets you go slower and lets you tread lightly. Good for the ground and your truck.

Power braking while trying to climb out (applying the brakes and throttling at the same time) is a great technique. A torque converter in an automatic transmission can have as much as a 3times torque multiplication, also the braking action will reduce wheel slip and shock loading thus being easier on the rest of the drive train, and allowing the engine to stay at a higher rpm and hopefully close to rated power output is massively beneficial. Also so long as you keep the fluid serviced and cool, nothing will "implode" while working an auto trans hard. In these cases an auto is actually far more resilient than a manual as clutches will slip and come apart when over loaded, autos will stall or over heat, both of which can be mitigated and neither is catastrophic so long as you dont push it.
Otherwise yes I agree, slow and steady is always good, and a lower final effective gear ratio is the best way to do that.

 

[rtexpeditions]

As technology moves ahead the gap between vehicles with a high/low transfer case is narrowing. Some vehicles with 7 and 8 gears have more gear range than some old 4/5 speeds with h/l transfer cases.

 

[Billiebob]

Power braking while trying to climb out (applying the brakes and throttling at the same time) is a great technique. A torque converter in an automatic transmission can have as much as a 3times torque multiplication, also the braking action will reduce wheel slip and shock loading thus being easier on the rest of the drive train, and allowing the engine to stay at a higher rpm and hopefully close to rated power output is massively beneficial. Also so long as you keep the fluid serviced and cool, nothing will "implode" while working an auto trans hard. In these cases an auto is actually far more resilient than a manual as clutches will slip and come apart when over loaded, autos will stall or over heat, both of which can be mitigated and neither is catastrophic so long as you dont push it.
Otherwise yes I agree, slow and steady is always good, and a lower final effective gear ratio is the best way to do that.

I hear ya but I prefer the correct gear with a solid connection. I've alway had manuals, never had anything go wrong with them. I've had maybe 5 automatics, 3 of them cratered needing major rebuilds and none of them ever left the highway. None of them were ever stressed towing or racing or..... I like simple, mechanical, bulletproof. I've never had a clutch slip or come apart and most of my cars, trucks, 4x4s have 300K miles before I sell them. I change fluids and that is it for maintenance.

On another note, we had a car that after its 12K mile warranty service they forgot to put oil in the tranny. That transmission without oil ran 1K miles before it locked in gear. Luckily 2nd gear so we limped home in 2nd gear. But until it locked in gear it performed like new for 1K miles. I doubt an automatic could do that. Crack the oil pan on an automatic and yer stranded.

That said, I'm obviously only buying used since there are only a few 4x4s with clutches.

But back to.... do I need 4LO..... only if you want or need to go real slow with more control.

On the note todays 8/9 speeds give deeper gearing.... no they don't, 1st in a 4/5 speed automatic is nearly identical to 1st in 8/9 speeds. The multiple gears let the engineers narrow the operating rpm of new computer controlled engines and keep them at the peak rpm for minimal emissions, maybe optimum fuel economy, and ready to shift if you need performance. Real easy to check the numbers, low range is usually a 2.72 torque multiplier. Do the math and you will see todays multi speeds atomatics are not comparable to a transfer case with 4LO.

 

[Dilldog]

I hear ya but I prefer the correct gear with a solid connection. I've alway had manuals, never had anything go wrong with them. I've had maybe 5 automatics, 3 of them cratered needing major rebuilds and none of them ever left the highway. None of them were ever stressed towing or racing or..... I like simple, mechanical, bulletproof. I've never had a clutch slip or come apart and most of my cars, trucks, 4x4s have 300K miles before I sell them. I change fluids and that is it for maintenance.

On another note, we had a car that after its 12K mile warranty service they forgot to put oil in the tranny. That transmission without oil ran 1K miles before it locked in gear. Luckily 2nd gear so we limped home in 2nd gear. But until it locked in gear it performed like new for 1K miles. I doubt an automatic could do that. Crack the oil pan on an automatic and yer stranded.

Like anything theres limitations. Anymore I honestly prefer autos, especially off road. For me its much easier to control (with the exception of downhill descents, there the manual is hands down better, I dont care what kind of techno wizardry you have going on), and I break far less parts in my auto transed rigs than I did with my manuals. Like anything though, 90% of it is operator.
To add I have just as many clutch failures as I have had autos fail, 1 of each. Neither left me stranded though. Also we are starting to see A LOT more Allisons in big trucks. People are starting to see the advantages of autos in the heavy duty side of things, just like in the light duty side. An auto is easier to drive, resulting in less driver fatigue and thus fewer accidents, they are also easier on the rest of the drive train and result in fewer warranty claims. I will admit, there are times where a manual is simply better, but that "gap" is narrowing.

 

[Louiston]

I can't imagine having a 4X4 without a 2 speed transfer case. Fact is, I wouldn't buy one that didn't have low range.

If you are buying a 4X4 vehicle, why wouldn't you want to have a bigger tool box? I guarantee you, the more 4 wheeling you do, the more you will appreciate having a 2 speed transfer case!

Not having it .......... is losing a fundamental piece of a properly equipped 4X4.

 

[Dilldog]

I can't imagine having a 4X4 without a 2 speed transfer case. Fact is, I wouldn't buy one that didn't have low range.

For me a lot of it has to do with engine power. In my Isuzus and Toyotas with 4 cylinders I used low range constantly. But in my F150 with a built 300-6 or in my K5 with a 350 I used it very little. Now that I have an XUV I don't have a choice, but thus far I haven't really missed it. Now if I were taking my wife's GMC out which is a 4cylinder I'm sure I would miss low range, but the v6 in my Ford does a good job.

 

[MazeVX]

I barely ever use 4lo, only when the rocks on the road get to big to drive over fast. The trails are to diverse and constantly changing from high to low is a pain. With my auto transmission I usually can get over most of the stuff without 4lo.

Edit: I usually say drive what you have, most vehicles limits are higher than you think! I wouldn't have bought a jeep if I had a 4x4 before.

 

[slomatt]

anyone here overlanding without 4lo? I bought a new Silverado that is 4x4 but apparently doesn't have low range. Just a "terrain" mode that emulate low range using the brakes to slow the vehicle down. I keep seeing mixed things online with some people saying 4lo is absolutely neccesary and others saying that they always just use 4hi. I know I have a full size so I am already limited with my vehicle size but are there really any situations I could get into with a full size that low range is going to make a difference? I do have the g80 automatic rear locker at least

Two interesting questions here with very different answers:

"is low range necessary?" - Absolutely not. There's a ton of exploring you can do without low range, and without four wheel drive for that matter. As with any vehicle the important thing is to just drive within the limits of your vehicle's capability. Even a dual locked rig on 40's with a 120:1 crawl ratio is going to get stuck in certain situations.

"are there really any situations I could get into with a full size that low range is going to make a difference" - Absolutely yes. There are tons of places you can get a full size into where you'd need lower gearing to keep moving forward. But, do *you* want to get your full size into those situations? That's a key question to determine if you need low range or not.

 

[Anak]

If you ask the National Park Service their answer is "Yes."

I have seen trails designated as 4-low required. I believe the Schafer trail is one.

It is going to come down to what are you trying to do? Most things do not require it. Some do. It is the same as the discussion about overlanding with 2wd. You can overland with 2wd, you are just going to have to accept some limitations. And those who have the ultimate built 4wds have to accept limitations too. No one is driving down and back up the face of the Grand Canyon.

As long as you are comfortable accepting the limitations of your choice you are fine.

 

[bgenlvtex]

As technology moves ahead the gap between vehicles with a high/low transfer case is narrowing. Some vehicles with 7 and 8 gears have more gear range than some old 4/5 speeds with h/l transfer cases.

And then of course we have the 8sp with hi/lo :)

More is always better (until it breaks).

When wheel spin absolutely isn't desirable, LOW range is., and when low range is desirable lower is better.

For decades 4wd manufacturers produced big, heavy vehicles with relatively low hp/tq ratings and diminutive tires, They compensated with deep reduction. What some of those vehicles will do off road is incredible.

Is it necessary? Largely not, just like lockers.
Do I want it in my tool box? You're damn right I do.

If you are going to get out, alone and not be intimidated by adverse ground conditions, then every mechanical advantage you can scrape over onto your plate is a positive, if for no other reason than psychological.

 

[old_man]

If you ask the National Park Service their answer is "Yes."

I have seen trails designated as 4-low required. I believe the Schafer trail is one.

It is going to come down to what are you trying to do? Most things do not require it. Some do. It is the same as the discussion about overlanding with 2wd. You can overland with 2wd, you are just going to have to accept some limitations. And those who have the ultimate built 4wds have to accept limitations too. No one is driving down and back up the face of the Grand Canyon.

As long as you are comfortable accepting the limitations of your choice you are fine.

I always say, the most important accessory for offroad is what is between your ears. I grew up "overlanding" and exploring before 4wd was available or common and it rarely limited me. Now many of those trails are listed as 4wd and high clearance.