new to 4x4 operation

[animalsrule]

I am new to 4x4 since my previous truck was a basic S10.

My GMC didn't come with any manual but it is a 94 so no telling where it's at.

Now for my questions.

How do I put it in 4-wheel drive?

Also for highway use such as snow do I put it on 4 high?

Is 4 low used for possibly off road?

I am smart enough to know that you don't leave it in 4 wheel drive just for normal driving.

I might be blonde but not a dumb blonde....lol.

Just new to a truck with 4 wheel drive.

I know that trucks to used have a bulldog gear that came in handy when hauling a load of tobacco, hay or cattle.
My dad used to have a 45 Ford we named Henry with bulldog and I remember him putting it in bulldog everytime he went up a steep hill with a load on the truck and this was almost 35 yrs ago........lol

This will help me a lot.

I don't plan on using 4 wheel drive unless I need it and that will be when it snows, possibly to get to a fishing hole or on a farm to get pick up rock for projects around the house.

Thank you in advance for help on this.

[junior3382]

Okay, let me see if I can help here. First off, the term bulldog gear does not apply to your truck. The S10/S15 trucks were for the road, not work like the old fillsizers. There is no lower gear to avoid like that. Second, 4lo is mainly for off road needs for a lower gear range, or slower wheel spin. Definitely not for road driving. then finally, no you never want to straight drive in 4wd. If the front wheels hop, or there is tighness in turning, then the road conditions do not warrant a 4wd application. That is there for stability in mud, sand or snow, not rain or dry pavement.

But here is what concerns me. I assume you purchased this for the 4wd abilities. The 1994's had a floor shift 4wd activation lever. This is a vacuum controlled actuator that engages the transfer case. If you do not have the lever on the floor, you do not have 4wd. It looks like the automatic shifter in most of your floor shift automobiles. It has a button and four settings, top or all the way front is 2wd. Then 4wd HI... then Nutral, then 4wd LOW.

Now you can shift into 4hi while driving, but always and ONLY less then 45mph, never faster for fear the transfer case will not engage properly. if you need to drive in 4wd, like in snowy weather, you never want to exceed 50mph steady again to protect the TC. if you drive with it engaged on dry roads, or when it is not needed, you run the risk of major component damage.

These trucks are tuff little trucks, they are basically all I have ever owned. but the most important thing is that lever, if you do not have it, you do not have 4wd.

I hope this helps ya.

[animalsrule]

I know that trucks now don't have bulldog.
I know my truck (GMC) is 4 wheel drive.
I am just wondering if I need to be in park or neutral to engage 4 wheel drive and wanted to make sure on when to use 4L and 4H...4L for off road and 4H for on road when necessary?
I sure don't want to tear up a da** good truck.
As mentioned I only plan on using it during winter time or on farm somewhere to pick up rock or getting to a fishing hole.
1994 GMC Sierra K1500.

(My S10 was a straight 5 speed, 2 wheel drive so this 4 wheel thing is all new to me as far as owning one.)

[junior3382]

you can shift into 4wd hi while in gear, though it would not hurt to be at a stop. When you disengage it, you will hear a clunk, but keep in mind that it usually takes about two or three miles for it to fully disengage. The front drive shaft will still spin. However, it will not hurt anything in the TC if the lever is in 2wd. I feel better... forgive me for misundertsanding what you were saying, I thought you did not know where the lever was...lol...

Now to get into 4lo, you need to be at a complete stop. Clutch in, and tranny in nuetral. Slide the lever down into 4lo. If it is a little tough, put back into 4hi, shift into reverse and move about two feet, then try again. The allignment will work, but every once in a while it needs some motivation.

Most guys only ever use 4lo for mud or deep muck. You shouldn't really ever need it on a farm or in the snow. If you are stuck in some cow **** on a field and need some traction, then I can see using it. I used to need it in an old dodge power wagon years back. Also, while in 4lo, you will never be able, nor should you ever try to, drive faster then 30mph. But I am sure you will never need to.

I hope this makes more sense for you.

[bradrhale]

for future referance, bull dogs are gears that are primarily used by mack. they are a much larger and heavier ring and pinion set that will take alot more punishment than regular eaton rears. they are characterized by banjos that lay face up where the gears drop down into the housing from the top where other rear chunks enter from the front. most dump trucks utilize these gears.

[75K30]

Is the term "Bulldog" in the OP being used as a description for "compound low" first gear, or what is commonly refered to as 'granny gear'?
This ultra low gear is just that, ultra low, and carries many different names, depnding upon area, and a few other factors.
These ultra low first gears could get just about any load motivated. Trucks could move just about anything it could be connected to.
Kind of fun, and handy.

[junior3382]

In college we had a shop truck, and old FORD that had one of those gears. Though most people never used it unless it was loaded, when trying to start n a hill, it was needed.. the truck was so underpowered, not to mention a FORD....LOL. But I have heard it termed bulldog gear, and granny gear, we called it the nut gear since that was wear most of the trucks nuts were...LOL....

[leolkfrm]

Remember it goes better in 4 wheel drive in slippery conditions, but does not stop any faster. With heavy snow and slower driving I generally put it into a lower gear, to give it some engine braking without the back comming around