4WD info request

[tdengines]

I bought a 1984 K5 Blazer and have been driving it most of this year. Snow is coming and I am trying out the 4WD function. I have a repro manual and it explains how to shift, at speeds, etc. and how to reverse to return to 2WD. However, my Blazer has the dials on the front wheels that says "free" and 'lock." I have been told I have to use locks also. But no where in the manual does it mention the hub locks. Were the lock hubs an accessory that was added after the truck came from factory? If they were added, is there an advantage to doing it that way? If you can point me to instructions or a link about this, I would appreciate it. I tried to find the "search link" mentioned in the new user info, but couldn't locate the "search link." I have also tried a few Google searches for 4WD instructions, but no luck so far.

 

[3/4 Ton Blazer]

Those were added after the fact most likely (Some blazers came with them stock). If you plan on using 4WD, just remember to lock the front hubs, You dont have to worry about the backing up thing to unlock the hubs as with the auto ones. The auto hubs are prone to failure, and are often swapped out for manual hubs. If you are leaving your house, and it is snowing, might as well lock the hubs before you go, even if you arent going to use 4WD right away, it will save you from having to get out of your truck if you decide to use 4WD. You have a 208 transfer case (If stock), I think the manual says it is OK to shift to 4 high under 40 MPH as long as you arent currently spinning any tires due to low traction. Going to 4 low will require stopping and shifting to neutral (Same as going back to 4 high from 4 low).

 

[southernspeed]

As said above. The purpose of the manual locking hubs is to connect the 'wheel' as such to the drive shaft. If you don't 'lock' them first, when you put it in 4 wheel drive you'll only be powering the drive shafts and not the wheels. So as 3/4 ton says, if there's a chance of needing 4x, lock them before you go out. The reason for driving with them unlocked is just to save gas from parasitic driveline loads and wear and tear.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

You live in the snow belt. Just lock them in now (ie-LOCK) and whenever the snow is gone for good (March-April or so) just unlock them then. You'll loose a bit of gas mileage but you'll have 4x4 as soon as you pull the lever and it's perfectly safe. People have been doing it this way since the invention of 4x4.

 

[tdengines]

Thanks for the info!

I looked around on the net and couln't find that stuff. Only sites that explained the mechanics of how 4WD works.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

If you have any questions let us know.