Question on switching between 2H & 4H

[onestoptakeaway]

Hi,

I'm totally new to 4WD and I got a 96 Sidekick that has auto free-wheeling hubs. I read from user manual which says I need to pullover to engage 4L or 4H (not on the fly) and the hubs will auto lock when I begin to drive.

What I don't understand is "When the automatic free-wheeling hubs are locked, you can alternately select 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive by shifting the transfer level between 2H and 4H while driving, if the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position" Does is mean that it is OK switch from 4H to 2H on the fly and the hubs will auto unlock or does it mean that I can switch from 4H to 2H on the fly and hubs are still lock? Driving on 2H with free-wheeling hubs still lock will that cause damage?

[CodyJ]

Yeah... that shit confused me. One day I got the balls to try and put it into 4h while rolling -- boy did I ever hear the oddest sounds! Best and less stressless way imo is to put it out of gear and push the clutch in and come while at a complete stop and shift into 4h/4l; when you disengadge it and shift back into 2h the same method, back up about 500meters (can't think if its meters or feet right now).

[jtgh]

ah did you read the manual?

attached,
the only question remaining is what speed can you do these things.
answer, very very slow is best.

open zip
see rules

In the mil. we say, "if all else fails, RTFM."

read the meticulously formulated manual.

as you can see the autos , follow diff. rules then the manuals.

cheers.

[CodyJ]

Is following the reverse rule worth it, when possible...

[jtgh]

its not a quesion of worth,
one needs to look at the auto lock mechanism, notices how it works ?

i wish i had a photo of that device. but , one can look and see how it locks going forward and unlocks boing back.
oops, 2nd google hit nets photo.
see details.

what you are doing is making ,these fiddly parts in side happy.


photo

[onestoptakeaway]

After reading the Sidekick user manual again, I realised is the manual locking hubs that are able to switch between 4H and 2H while driving with the hubs in lock position. It is even recommended to lock the hubs and drive in 2H for afew miles every month to keep the hub mechanism smooth and provides lubrication to the front axle components. If I'm not wrong, the manual lock hubs just need to turn back to "free" to unlock and no need to back up.

[CodyJ]

I think the backing up is to make sure it dis-engages easy and does not bind up while dis-engaging. As far as I know it makes it easier on the hub. You are right about the manual, no need because you are doing the switching of 4/2.

[onestoptakeaway]

So the manual locking hubs are not that "pain in the butt" after all like keeping getting out to lock when coming to a gravel path and getting out again to unlock when coming to a flat road (As long as not driving in 2H with locking hubs for many miles).