4WD Do's and Don't

One Foot in the Gravy · 02-12-2021, 14:25

Hi all,

Given the snow at the weekend, I had my first go in 4WD when I did the school run on the Monday morning. But it occurred to me that I don't really know what the proper procedure is for engaging 4WD on the terry and I wondered if there are any common do's and don't for this?

I remember from my Army days, on the one and only day I got to do some off-road training in a DAF, we had to come to a stop and put it in neutral to switch between 2WD and 4WD. Is that the case with a terry, or was that just unique to the old DAF geat box?

Any tips or tricks for 4WDing would be much appreciated.

Banshee · 02-12-2021, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Foot in the Gravy

Hi all,

Given the snow at the weekend, I had my first go in 4WD when I did the school run on the Monday morning. But it occurred to me that I don't really know what the proper procedure is for engaging 4WD on the terry and I wondered if there are any common do's and don't for this?

I remember from my Army days, on the one and only day I got to do some off-road training in a DAF, we had to come to a stop and put it in neutral to switch between 2WD and 4WD. Is that the case with a terry, or was that just unique to the old DAF geat box?

Any tips or tricks for 4WDing would be much appreciated.

As long as someone hasn't peeled it off, there should be a sticker behind your drivers sun visor instructing you how to use it.

From memory, I think it just tells you that to switch between 4H & 4L you only have to be travelling in a straight line.

I have found in any Terrano I've driven that if you try to move too slowly between 4H into 4L you will grind the transfer box.

I personally try not to switch into 4H any faster than 20mph and I always go into 4L from stationary.

Don't use either 4H or 4L on non-slippy surfaces otherwise you'll get transmission wind up

Barrbeast · 03-12-2021, 22:31

2H to 4H can be done on the fly, max 40kph if you have auto hubs, max 80kph if you have fixed or locked manual hubs.

I've always went on the basis you should be stationery and in neutral before engaging 4L

One Foot in the Gravy · 07-12-2021, 09:58

Thanks for that, it's good to know I can change between 2 and 4 on the fly. How do I know if I have auto hubs? I'm driving a bog-standard 2003 LWB 2.7 Diesel

I'll also be aware of transmission wind up, I think I was safe in the snow though, it was sliding all over the shop. I was actually surprised how badly it behave in 2WD alone, much worse than a 'normal' car. I guess it's to do with the weight.

Banshee · 07-12-2021, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Foot in the Gravy

Thanks for that, it's good to know I can change between 2 and 4 on the fly. How do I know if I have auto hubs? I'm driving a bog-standard 2003 LWB 2.7 Diesel

I'll also be aware of transmission wind up, I think I was safe in the snow though, it was sliding all over the shop. I was actually surprised how badly it behave in 2WD alone, much worse than a 'normal' car. I guess it's to do with the weight.

If they are auto, they should say so on the sticker on the front face although on a 2003, I'm almost certain that unless someone has already swapped them, you'll be running fixed hubs.

These are fixed hubs (picture stolen from on of MadMarks posts)

Banshee · 07-12-2021, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Foot in the Gravy

Thanks for that, it's good to know I can change between 2 and 4 on the fly. How do I know if I have auto hubs? I'm driving a bog-standard 2003 LWB 2.7 Diesel

I'll also be aware of transmission wind up, I think I was safe in the snow though, it was sliding all over the shop. I was actually surprised how badly it behave in 2WD alone, much worse than a 'normal' car. I guess it's to do with the weight.

Oh and yeah, 2WD is useless in the snow especially on a LWB I've found

makeitfit · 08-12-2021, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

Oh and yeah, 2WD is useless in the snow especially on a LWB I've found

But great fun 🤪

solarman216 · 09-12-2021, 00:29

Did someone mention SNOW what is that have not seen it in years, sadly, but best remember with a 4 wheel drive you can get going but cannot stop any better than any other motor unless you have studs, Rick

makeitfit · 09-12-2021, 00:36

I had studs in Iceland a couple of years ago. Still did junctions like Bambi on ice 🤣

02-12-2021, 14:25	#1
One Foot in the Gravy Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Derby Vehicle: 2004 LWB Terrano 2.7 SE Posts: 55	4WD Do's and Don't Hi all, Given the snow at the weekend, I had my first go in 4WD when I did the school run on the Monday morning. But it occurred to me that I don't really know what the proper procedure is for engaging 4WD on the terry and I wondered if there are any common do's and don't for this? I remember from my Army days, on the one and only day I got to do some off-road training in a DAF, we had to come to a stop and put it in neutral to switch between 2WD and 4WD. Is that the case with a terry, or was that just unique to the old DAF geat box? Any tips or tricks for 4WDing would be much appreciated.

09-12-2021, 00:29	#8
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,319	Did someone mention SNOW what is that have not seen it in years, sadly, but best remember with a 4 wheel drive you can get going but cannot stop any better than any other motor unless you have studs, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

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03-12-2021, 22:31	#3
Barrbeast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dundee, Scotland Vehicle: 1990 4.2 SWB Safari Posts: 2,615	2H to 4H can be done on the fly, max 40kph if you have auto hubs, max 80kph if you have fixed or locked manual hubs. I've always went on the basis you should be stationery and in neutral before engaging 4L

07-12-2021, 09:58	#4
One Foot in the Gravy Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Derby Vehicle: 2004 LWB Terrano 2.7 SE Posts: 55	Thanks for that, it's good to know I can change between 2 and 4 on the fly. How do I know if I have auto hubs? I'm driving a bog-standard 2003 LWB 2.7 Diesel I'll also be aware of transmission wind up, I think I was safe in the snow though, it was sliding all over the shop. I was actually surprised how badly it behave in 2WD alone, much worse than a 'normal' car. I guess it's to do with the weight.

09-12-2021, 00:36	#9
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	I had studs in Iceland a couple of years ago. Still did junctions like Bambi on ice 🤣