Last night I put the truck in 4hi to just run it for a little bit and keep it "fresh" When putting into 4 Hi, I was in Park put in drive, started driving, going down the street it was feeling sluggish. Felt like I was trying to push the front end around. Pulled into a parking lot and was going slow. Feels like the front wheels are not turning on their own and are trying to lock up (like the brakes are engaged). I was taking left and right turns and it feels like the brakes are applied even worse. What could this be? I'm thinking the hubs but what do i know, I drove a Honda Civic for 4 years. Any help is appreciated. It is still under warranty and seeing if i should just take it in and see what the problem is.

Thanks guys, appreciated help from a good group.

 

Mine does the same thing with hard left or right turns, that's the nature of the 4x4 engaged. I haven't noticed much if any difference going in a straight line. Now if its in 4-L it really makes a difference. I'm sure someone on this board will have a suggestion soon.

 

My Supercrew does the same thing. Feels like it is pushing the front wheels down the road. Also if you turn the wheels slightly it tends to wander to the side if you don't correct it. When it is not in 4HI it runs straight as an arrow.

 

Yeah, it's really odd. Not sure what to do.

 

You are not supposed to use 4 wheel drive on dry hard surfaced roads

 

Sounds like normal 4 wheel drive to me. When you turn left or right on dry pavement, even driving slowly, your truck will feel very sluggish, and possibly even jumpy at higher speeds. It's because the differential is locked when you put it in 4 wheel drive. When the differential is locked, the wheels can only turn at the same speed. When the differential is unlocked (rear wheel drive only or 2 Hi) it allows the front wheels to turn at different speeds from one another so turning is easy. When you drive in snow, rain, or ice, the wheels turn easier in 4 wheel drive because the front tires can slip on the slippery surface, not giving you that binding feeling.

 

Excellent, thanks for easing my troubled mind. I'm just used to the Honda Civic and am not used to the 4wd still. Appreciate the help.

 

What Gordon said is dead on. It says clearly in your manual do not use 4 wheel drive on dry surface or you might damage your drivetrain and that is not covered under warranty.

 

Are the front tires the same size as the rear?

Have you done any gearing changes to only one end?

If not...take it straight to the dealer. It sounds like your front and rear are out of balance.

My truck will bog down on a sharp turn, but straight line, 4-hi runs smoothly, even on dry asphalt.

 

I agree with sooo_alive. I have had 4x4's since 97 and you really can't tell they're in 4 wheel drive going straight ahead, dry or wet pavement. The only time I know I'm in 4 wheel drive is when I turn left or right at a corner.

 

I've never had a gearing change on the truck since i've owned it. So, When going straight, it will roll, but with a little more force on the accelerator. Corners is where i really notice it. I'll call the dealer and see about having them look at it, it is under warranty.

 

can you run the fords at highway speeds in 4hi in the winter when the road is lightly wet or moist and the temp. is at the freezing mark and there is a chance of hitting an area that is slick. I got a jeep also and it clearly says it can be used in 4 hi on any road surface at any legal speed. Just want to make sure I dont damage my screw.

 

You can and shouldn't have many if any problems. Where the damage begins to occur is at slower speeds and making turns. I did it once and the pressure it points on the drivetrain must be tremendous as the vehicle does not want to go or turn. This is not all time 4WD, so it is not designed for dry pavement use. If people would read their manual they might actually understand this fact and save warranty issues that won't be covered later on.

 

The binding feeling when turning on dry pavement in 4 wheel drive is normal. When you turn, the front wheels will travel futher than the rear wheels. (bigger circle) When 4 wheel drive is engaged, the front differential is locked with the rear differential. They must always turn at the same rate because of the mechanical link between them. When in mud/snow/etc., the front or rear tires can slip some and the binding is not felt too much. on dry pavement or hard-pack dirt, the tires get good traction and the binding is felt.
What you described sounds normal to me. I wouldn't worry, unless you keep on driving on pavement in 4 wheel drive!

 

I see you a 2001 model. I have a 2001 model and it used to a bit sluggish in 4HI and always tight on turns. It's not as sluggish now.

Has it been used in 4 wheel drive much?? If not , you may want take a weekend offroad to break it in and loosen it up.

Good luck