TECH TIP: How to Use 4WD System

Never used 4 Wheel Drive before? In this video Sean walks you through the 4-Wheel Drive system. You'll lean how the system works, along with how and when to use it! We want people to get out and romp around on some trails- hopefully this helps you get out there. Get explorin'!

[mec]

Great video! Remember that the only purpose of having locking front hubs is to, when in 2WD, keep the front drivetrain from spinning, creating slight drag and prematurly wearing out front U-joints, gears & bearings. Leaving hubs locked doesn't damage them at all unless you also leave 4WD engaged on dry pavement where binding axle wind-up occurs because of slightly different travel lengths between the axles, particularly when turning with different wheel arcs. I typically leave hubs locked in changing traction conditions like snow, dirt, mud, etc. Doing so lets you shift between 2WD & 4WD easily while under way. One reason I also prefer a manual transmission is that it let's you more quickly stop (or come to a slow roll) and shift to 4L.
I can't wait for the video on Warn / IH 'Lock-O-Matic' hubs!

[JohnBarousse]

It’s like you’re psychic. You just identified every issue I’ve run across since getting my Scout. Thank you.

[Beachbum]

THANK YOU! Just bought a 1965 Scout 80 ans was reading on it but didn't really "get it" until this video. Much appreciated!

[lozano]

Thank you...thank you...thank you everything I've ever wondered about shifting in and out of 4wheel.

[justinmeyers]

I do something similar when not engaging. I don't turn it off. I just ease forward or backwards but not getting upset and in a hurry are key. No need to panic. You're not to the obstacles yet. Love the work and dedication to these old rides.

[markbergthold]

One of our Search & Rescue crew trucks (ie Hot Shot truck) came up to a rising stream, xfr case lever was shifted into 4L, continued into water, lost traction, was flooded out. Driver had not been instructed on how to lock hubs, as his POV was electric shift. Truck got almost a complete rebuild. Thanks for the real life training! (not me, lol)

[kahmed]

That was cool man! Proper hands on stuff 👍👍

[acidphlashback]

HUGE help - thanks for making this. For younger generations of scout fans who don’t have all of the basics down stuff like this is a life saver. I always want to learn but in some circles it doesn’t feel like it’s ok to ask questions.

When backing forward and reverse trying to unlock 4hi, didn’t seem like you were moving that much. I assume the foot on the gas was to move a bit but it wasn’t very clear whether you were rocking the scout back and forth while shifting or if you were just switching back and forth between transmission gears.

[alexfucito]

Liking all your vid’s, thanks. Now let’s see your magic with the twin stick.

[scoutnut]

well, here I thought I might learn a better way after 30 yrs of Scout Dana 20 Struggles, guess its just the nature of the beast, I have found that if you let the vehicle coast just a little while moving the transfer case stick it, will move between positions easier, and sometimes, make locking your hubs the last step, those old bull gears get bound and will sometimes slip into place easier when weight of the vehicle isn't holding the front drive shaft in place, this also helps when coming out of 4wd, unlock the hubs first, roll forward or reverse a few feet so they will disengage, then move the transfer back to 2wd . I have a 3:15 to 1 Terra Low kit in my Scout so it can make moving in and out of 4 lo a bear sometimes.

[larryhicks]

Yes I had to go up front the lock the hubs in . I then have to back up about 4 to 6 feet to have it all lock up the way you said . But you miss the backing up part

[grumpyassoldmanakagrumpy]

thank you we just bought a 73 scout... but here is the kicker it has a chevy s10 frame with the frame extended so the scout axels and leafs fit... a ford 302 engine, , trans..then they put the 3 stick transfer case in it. we have no clue how or which stick does what..it runs, its in 2 wheel..but every one at the shops we had it in.had no clue.. so thank you ..have seen a couple of videos but nothing on three stick transfer case. oh and it has 37 inch tires ...

[markqualman]

Just as I remember.... Dad's Scout II had the "Automatic" hubs though. If I remember correctly, you put it in 4h, then backed up 4-6 '? It engaged the 4h system and you could power out. Only worked in 4h though. Are those old Warn hubs still around? Seems like a good idea especially if you were doing a water crossing.

[farnsworthrocketsurgery]

Nobody gonna say anything about how it jumped out of 4 low a second time?

[laras]

HERE's one - Have you ever had your hubs stuck on or off? Old rancher showed me how to fix that. Just get in the truck and drive in reverse for 10ft or so, and like magic, they unlock, or lock again. Once I had to reverse it twice before it un-stuck, hasn't happened again in over 15 yrs. Been driving my lifted Scout now since 1995, about half of those yrs was daily here in MT.

[missnickelbee]

Question: i Would i engage 4H without locking hubs on deep/icy/slushy winter highway driving?
Or do you ALWAYS lock hubs if going to use 4wd?

[jakubstrumillo]

Just like in my UAZ 469B :) Four sticks, 3 for gears and one for handbrake.

[matthewmugar]

haha....did you make this for me Sean? LOL

[TheCajunHomestead]

Interesting, it will be a couple years before I even start restoring my scouts, 2 ea 1961 and 2  ea 1962 Scout 80s, lot of rust and I need a lot of resto parts.

[jeffpolsene]

I dont want to sound like a smart ass, but you could have avoided all the grinding when you where explaining how to use the 4x4. If you would have had your shifter in park where it should be to go into four low, you would not have had it grind. Also, when one of these transfer cases sticks in four high, instead of going through all the acrobatics with one arm through the wheel and the other arm pushing on the shifter, just let the scout roll ahead a little and while your rolling you will find that you can shift out of four high into two high with little or no effort. I think in your effort to explain it, you over looked the obvious. Plus, you never explained about the optional, yet very popular automatic hubs and how they work. Other than that, I enjoy all the videos you guys put out. I grew up in these vehicles, my dad was a process engineer at Internationals engine plant in Melrose Park, IL for 43 years. In fact I took my drivers test in our 75 travelall. What a tank. lol Any way I just wanted to remind you of those things on the 4x4 use in a scout. Keep up the great work guys.