[Alan06SUT]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Matt, yes you do need to read the manual but I'll try and summarize it a little bit for you...

4High open is what the truck runs in all the time.
4High lock is a mid speed range where 50% torque is sent to the front diff and %50 power is sent to the rear diff and all wheels are locked in spinning at one speed. First part is right but, the wheels are not locked in at this point (not 25% power to each wheel), basically 2 wheel drive one up front one in rear if either axles looses traction.
4Low Lock is for severe off roading and if you have a auto trans it should be in low 1. This gives you the most torque to crawl over obstacles. It's a very slow speed given to you from the transfer case. You shouldn't go over 10-15 mph in this setting. Same situation as 4Hlock, but the gearing is much lower as stated.

For instance, if you were to run in some sand dunes or something like that you would run in 4 high lock and drop the shifter into 3rd gear and have at it!

If you were climbing some rocks or up a very steep hill, drop it into 4 low lock an put the shifter in low 1. This way you will crawl right up the hill or rocks.

Not knowing what this hill looked like that you went up it's hard to give you advise as to what 4 wheel drive option to use. From what you said it doesnt sound to hard.

But yes, time to get out the owners manual and read about your 4 wheel drive options. You certainly don't want to be embarrased if you get stuck because you didn't have the truck in the correct 4 wheel drive setting.

Also, you didnt mention the Locker option. I dont know if your has it, but the locker will split the 50% of power going to the rear axle into 25% going to each wheel of the rear axle, basically you will have a three wheel drive, 25% at each rear wheel, and 50% to one of the front tires if traction is lost. To get a true 25% distribution of power to each wheel you would have to install a front locker.

Also the H2's t case splits the engine power 40% to the front and 60% to the rear. I am assuming the H3's T case splits it 50/50???

One other thing is the traction control system. If it senses one wheel of an axle is spinning, it will hit the brakes on that wheel which, sends the power to the other wheel on that axle. Its not quite as effective as a true locker, but is much better than an open differential or a limited slip, which will send all power to the wheel that has the least resistance if the other wheel on that axle is stuck.

WHEW, Sorry.

Think of it like this (when traction is lost by all wheels this is the number of wheels that will be spinning):
4Hi = 1 wheel drive
4HiLock=2 wheel drive
4LoLock=2 wheel drive with more torque
4LoLock w/ Locker=3 wheel drive/ more torque

Add front locker:

4LoLock w/ rear locker and front locker=4 wheel drive