Four wheel drive not good

[bjd088]

Alright, After driving in four wheel drive, the front end will start to lock up and the truck gets stuck in 4wd. After the truck cools down, I can roll forward a bit and the 4wd will disengage. I figured before maybe the transfer case was empty, finally got the fill plug open (had to drill it) and there is oil in there. Any other ideas why this is happening? The truck is an '87 Pickup with a 22r carb.

[GDBSKE]

Does the truck have the same size tires all around? If not that will bind up the drivetrain.

[Brian R.]

This is normal for your type of 4WD.

You are binding up your drive train since you have a part-time 4WD system. Don't use the 4WD unless you have bad traction conditions and then only when you need it.

Your 4WD system locks the front and rear wheels together in the transfer case. When you drive perfectly straight, your front and rear wheels will turn at exactly the same speed. This is good. However, normal driving makes you perform turns. When you turn, your front wheels have to go farther around the turn than your rear wheels and they are no longer turning at the same rate. The front drivetrain is no longer in synch with the rear, but your transfer case is forcing it to be in synch within the transfer case. This is why you are binding. You are putting alot of stress on your transfer case and other drivetrain components.

[Kyle4130]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

This is normal for your type of 4WD.

You are binding up your drive train since you have a part-time 4WD system. Don't use the 4WD unless you have bad traction conditions and then only when you need it.

Your 4WD system locks the front and rear wheels together in the transfer case. When you drive perfectly straight, your front and rear wheels will turn at exactly the same speed. This is good. However, normal driving makes you perform turns. When you turn, your front wheels have to go farther around the turn than your rear wheels and they are no longer turning at the same rate. The front drivetrain is no longer in synch with the rear, but your transfer case is forcing it to be in synch within the transfer case. This is why you are binding. You are putting alot of stress on your transfer case and other drivetrain components.

i dont think hes driving in 4wd all the time? are you bjd? yes the transfer case makes all four wheels spin. even in 4wd though if he was turning, the outside wheel on the turn will still spin more than the inside wheel unless...he has a locker. so im thinking maybe somone put a locker in your front end, or something might be broken. i have a locker up front and it takes a bit for it to unlock after i take it out of 4wd.

[Brian R.]

He dosn't have to be driving in 4WD all the time. If you're on dry road, you will start binding up after a few turns, the sharper the turns, the sooner you'll bind up. A locker is not the issue. It is the nature of a part-time 4WD system.

[bjd088]

Sorry it took so long to reply, I've been sick awhile. So the binding up is normal? The last time I went wheeling, the bed of my truck got burning hot, is that normal too? What could be the cause of that?

[Brian R.]

Sun? No idea