RE: New 4x4 Durango. Let the questions begin!

From: Jason Bleazard (jbleazard@home.com)
Date: Fri Jul 23 1999 - 21:48:01 EDT


Personally, I don't use 4H in rain. I've never had a traction problem on
wet pavement unless I was really into the throttle. Solution: back off :-).

4H works great in snow or ice where the torque of 4L would make the wheels
spin. Ever heard the trick of starting out in second gear on ice? Same
principle. 4H works well for sand or loose dirt as well, or even light mud.
I go for 4L when I need to slow it down for the rough stuff.

As for shifting, I've usually found that by the time I need the front axle,
I'm usually not going too fast anyway. You can shift it on the move, which
really helps for patchy snow or ice, where you hit pavement once in a while.
You can switch back and forth without stopping (don't use part-time 4 wheel
drive on pavement). 4H does help you steer, since the front wheels will try
to pull to the side rather than just turn into snow saucers. But like Ted
mentioned, watch the stopping. Also, the light rear end on the Dakotas
really likes to kick sideways when turning in snow (even in 4 wheel drive).
I can't say how the Durangos do, but just take it easy until you get the
feel for it.

Congrats on the new Durango, hope you have fun with it.

---------------------------------------------------------
Jason Bleazard http://www.bleazard.net Toronto, Ontario
current: '95 Dakota Sport white 4x4 Reg. Cab V6/3.9L/5spd
current: '98 Dakota Sport black 4x4 Club Cab V8/5.2L/Auto
RIP: '95 Dakota Sport black 4x2 Club Cab V6/3.9L/Auto

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet4.buffnet.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet4.buffnet.net]On Behalf Of Ryan
> LeBlanc
> Sent: Friday, July 23, 1999 8:56 PM
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: Re: DML: New 4x4 Durango. Let the questions begin!
>
>
> Good question, why would I want to do this at speed? I guess I was more
> curious than anything. Just wanted to figure out the point of even using
> 4H. obviously, 4L will pull you out of being stuck, but 4H must have a
> reason for existing. Must be for snow or heavy rain over 25mph.
> I will try
> it if no one has a better suggestion. Not at 50mph just yet.
> I'll have to
> work up to that.
>
> Later,
>
> Ryan LeBlanc
> 99, Durango, 5.9L, 4x4, SLT, Forest Green



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