When to use High Range or Low Range Like a Pro Offroad!

Tackling Tough Trails: A Guide to Selecting High Range or Low Range like a Pro!
When you first begin 4wding it can be a bit confusing knowing when to use high range and low range so let me help you out with this video.

Here at MadMatt 4wd there is everything from 4wd tips and tricks to fixing your four wheel drive. As a professional Four Wheel Driver I am all about educating and building the 4x4 community. If you are passionate about going bush with a 4x4 then this channel is for you. Enjoy and please subscribe & Hit the bell icon to be notified as soon as they're up!!!

MadMatt 4wd on Social Media:

[rileylabski]

This guy explained in less than 9 minutes what so many other videos have failed to articulate at all regardless of length. Bravo!

[onefastcyclist]

A fine explanation - With standard 3:55 gears, larger tires and a modest 3" lift, I go into 4-low for almost all steep climbs or descents. With 4x4 trails that climb several thousand feet in California, I'm in 4 low a lot. However, 2 WD on dirt roads its too much FUN to slide around corners😃

[bearsquito]

I stick in high range when traveling 20 or more miles per hour, dropping into low when I hit an obstacle that needs lower speeds. Also use low range on steep, loose trails. I tend to prefer being in low range and taking it slow.

[onetwentyeight]

The bicycle analogy is good but to push it a little further think of the transmission gears as the sprockets on the rear hub and the transfer case as the chainrings by the pedals.

[JavierAndresAnd]

One knows when people actually walk the talk. I've seen no one talk in such a confident way and with live demonstration too 😂
You have a new sub mate! Can't wait for that course. Cheers!

[CoreyDowning]

took a class with an i4wdta certified teacher and he said the same thing. on a lot of the trails here you’re not going fast so just keep it in low range so you’re ready for any obstacles. even on easy terrain where you don’t need the extra torque, if you’re still moving slow, keep it in low.

[jackfourbee]

Awesome once again Matt
A great explanation of Hi and Low.
It’s amazing how many times you hear a car revving it’s rings out and you can tell the car is in the wrong gear. The more time you spend with your vehicle the more it will tell you what to do.
Keep up the great work Matt. 👏👏👏

[timhansn]

We always use 4L with our 2014 chevy 2500 duramax when pulling a 35 foot GN trailer loaded ( 20 1400lb hay bales)out of the field. Once on a county road I stop and go to 4H and tow haul for the 8 mile trip home.

[kanevivalakane]

I drive on sand dunes on 4L on my Prado V6 petrol J150 with traction and ABS disabled.
Amazing it is.

[timlecount]

Thanks! If you live in a snowy area, always plow in 4Low

[satoapendragon]

New to offroading. So far I use hi for anything higher speeds over 20kms or easy tracks. As soon as I gotta slow right down and either crawl or to be safe. I'll drop into low range.

[louiskudlak]

I go to high range soon as I leave the bitumen, control to 4 wheels, low range on steep/ slippery loose conditions, slow and steady control, thanks for sharing buddy

[dhiquobgnaloo]

I have a Prado auto petrol and i rarely use low range as most of my 4 wheel driving is on beaches and sand dunes were i think its all about momentum so i only use low range for very slow almost crawling speeds, usually under 30 to 40 kmh.

[chestergtstang]

When I'm just cruising trails I use 2 / 4hi depending on sand / mud. I have used 4lo for climbing steep hills / crawling. I also use is when snatching a vehicle from mud / sand.

[phoneplayTV]

This guy is very helpful... Need more of these kinds of contents.. thank you..

[CavenInToTheWorld]

This video is really helpful specially with new guys on 4x4. As the video says not all cars are the same. Some have more option when it comes to 4x4 specially the newer ones that also have 4h and 4hllc and 4lllc. And they have more gears (but less is better). This is a good baseline or beginners guide to 4wheel driving. You can never go wrong with the basics. 😁 And also check the owners manual because it has most of the what and what not to do with your car. 😁 Cheers! This kind of informative video is better than those booty shake on tiktoks. 😅😂

[MicOutdoors]

Don't forget to mention that all the power goes to the wheel with least resistance with open diff.

[williamfaulkner]

Hi Matt, thanks for posting this. I have a 1994 Wrangler YJ, with a 4 banger and a 5-speed tranny. When I'm off-roading, I normally run around in 4 low, in 3rd or 4th gear. When the trail gets harder, I might have to shift down into 2nd or even 1st gear. It's almost like driving an automatic. In 3rd gear, I can almost come to a complete stop without stalling and then get back on the accelerator. This really works for me. It's good to see you posting again.

[antoniolorenzoni]

Complimenti, vado in off road da molti anni Ti ho ascoltato con piacere, hai espresso dei concetti importanti in modo semplice e comprensivo, davvero bravo!

[mtower]

High range for me is gravel roads and paved roads with light snow and low for just about everything else. My traction control goes off in low but I also turn it off in high.
I also have an “auto” setting (chevy truck) which I’ve used once when the paved road had intermittent snow as the storm was just starting.