Whats the difference between 4LOCK and 4LO in a 4WD truck?

[murphy55d]

05 Dakota

Options are 2WD - 4LOCK - 4LO

when should 4LOCK be used, as opposed to 4LO?

edit: oh and maybe more importantly, is there a speed restriction on either of these modes?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

4LOCK will lock the differential....this is needed if you get stuck in mud or snow.

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
05 Dakota

Options are 2WD - 4LOCK - 4LO

when should 4LOCK be used, as opposed to 4LO?

edit: oh and maybe more importantly, is there a speed restriction on either of these modes?

4 low is for slow crawling, 4 lock locks the differential so you can keep from getting (or get unstuck) stuck.

Neither should be used on pavement and neither should be used at speed.

 

[Throckmorton]

AFAIK, there was no locking diff option in those Dakotas, and Googling turned up nothing but aftermarket lockers. 4LOCK locks the transfer case. http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/O...a-ST-Crew-Cab-4WD.html

Adventurous drivers can opt for the 2008 Dodge Dakota ST Crew Cab 4WD, which comes equipped with a part-time four-wheel-drive transfer case and part-time 4LOCK and 4LO modes. The 4LOCK mode locks the front and rear axles together to provide extra traction on very slippery surfaces, while the 4LO mode cranks up engine torque and locks the front and rear axles together so they rotate at the same speed for optimum traction.

Never use either of those on the street.

 

[iamwiz82]

4LOCK allows for higher speed usage of 4wd, it does lock the front and rear driveshafts, though. This means you should not use it on dry pavement. 4Lo gears the transfer case even lower, making redline in each gear much, much lower. Put your truck in 4Lo (on slick ground!) and give it some gas.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Put your truck in 4Lo (on slick ground!) and give it some gas.

That should be fun. 😀

4LOCK sounds like "4HI" on most other 4x4s - simply engaging 4wd without any gear reduction. People say not to use 4HI on the roads, but on my truck it's rated for 45mph. I used to use it in WV when it was snowy out and didn't go much over 30mph or so anyway.

 

[thedarkwolf]

What they mean is not to use on DRY roads. The tires need to be able to slip a little.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
05 Dakota

Options are 2WD - 4LOCK - 4LO

when should 4LOCK be used, as opposed to 4LO?

edit: oh and maybe more importantly, is there a speed restriction on either of these modes?

Don't use 4LO except when trying to crawl out of a stuck psostion or trying to move a very heavy load at slow speed. Driving to fast in 4LO will toast the T-case chain and gears.

 

[murphy55d]

Well I've always had AWD vehicles, this Dakota is the first one I've had that was 2WD then pushbutton 4wd.

it snowed/sleeted a good bit last night here, I kind of thought 4LOCK was like 4HI, just wanted the general opinion on which was better for snowy roads.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Well I've always had AWD vehicles, this Dakota is the first one I've had that was 2WD then pushbutton 4wd.

it snowed/sleeted a good bit last night here, I kind of thought 4LOCK was like 4HI, just wanted the general opinion on which was better for snowy roads.

4LO should only be used for super-rough, rocky, muddy, and steep roads. Never on dry pavement. For snow, 4HI (4LOCK) is correct.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Well I've always had AWD vehicles, this Dakota is the first one I've had that was 2WD then pushbutton 4wd.

it snowed/sleeted a good bit last night here, I kind of thought 4LOCK was like 4HI, just wanted the general opinion on which was better for snowy roads.

4LO should only be used for super-rough, rocky, muddy, and steep roads. Never on dry pavement. For snow, 4HI (4LOCK) is correct.

You shouldn't use 4 lock on snowy roads if you are getting traction on the snow/ice. Two reasons for that... one is that traction on a snow covered road is the same as traction on dry ground as far as damaging your drivetrain. The other is that the front/rear being locked together when they want to turn at different speeds can cause you to lose traction on slick surfaces. Either the front or the rear has to break loose.

I'd only use 4WD to get unstuck.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

You either have the NV233HD if you have a 2WD option or the NV244HD if you have full time 4WD. The latter has a center differential that will be locked while in lock. I'm not sure of the former.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
You either have the NV233HD if you have a 2WD option or the NV244HD if you have full time 4WD. The latter has a center differential that will be locked while in lock. I'm not sure of the former.

It is the first... there is a 2WD option, and then the 4LOCK and 4LO settings.

 

[Pacfanweb]

4Lock is just 4 High. Instead of all the power going to one axle, it's split 50/50 to both.

4Lo is low range. It's still a 50/50 split, but the gearing is a LOT lower.

 

[crosshairs]

It depends on which transfer case its equipped with...

The NV233 is an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with a low range gear reduction system. The NV233 has three operating ranges plus a NEUTRAL position. The low range system provides a gear reduction ratio for increased low speed torque capability.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.


OPERATING RANGES
Transfer case operating ranges are:

2WD (2-wheel drive)
4HI (4-wheel drive)
4LO (4-wheel drive low range)
NEUTRAL
The 2WD range is for use on any road surface at any time.

The 4HI and 4LO ranges are for off road use only. They are not for use on hard surface roads. The only exception being when the road surface is wet or slippery or covered by ice and snow.

The low range reduction gear system is operative in 4LO range only. This range is for extra pulling power in off road situations. Low range reduction ratio is 2.72:1.

The NV243 is an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with a low range gear reduction system. The NV243 has three operating ranges plus a NEUTRAL position. The low range system provides a gear reduction ratio for increased low speed torque capability.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.

OPERATING RANGES
Transfer case operating ranges are:

2WD (2-wheel drive).
4HI (4-wheel drive).
4LO (4-wheel drive low range).
NEUTRAL.
The 2WD range is for use on any road surface at any time.

The 4HI and 4LO ranges are for off road use only. They are not for use on hard surface roads. The only exception being when the road surface is wet or slippery or covered by ice and snow.

The low range reduction gear system is operative in 4LO range only. This range is for extra pulling power in off road situations. Low range reduction ratio is 2.72:1.

The NV244 is an electronically controlled full and part-time transfer case with no two wheel drive operation.

A differential in the transfer case is used to control torque transfer to the front and rear axles. A low range gear reduction system provides increased low speed torque capability for off road operation. The low range provides a 2.72:1 reduction ratio.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.


OPERATING RANGES
NV244 operating ranges are:

AWD(All-Wheel Drive)
4HI (Part-time)
4LO
NEUTRAL
The AWD mode can be used at any time and on any road surface.

The 4HI (Part-time) and 4LO ranges are for off road use only. The only time these ranges can be used is when the road surface is covered with snow, ice, or other loose slippery material.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: crosshairs
It depends on which transfer case its equipped with...

The NV233 is an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with a low range gear reduction system. The NV233 has three operating ranges plus a NEUTRAL position. The low range system provides a gear reduction ratio for increased low speed torque capability.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.


OPERATING RANGES
Transfer case operating ranges are:

2WD (2-wheel drive)
4HI (4-wheel drive)
4LO (4-wheel drive low range)
NEUTRAL
The 2WD range is for use on any road surface at any time.

The 4HI and 4LO ranges are for off road use only. They are not for use on hard surface roads. The only exception being when the road surface is wet or slippery or covered by ice and snow.

The low range reduction gear system is operative in 4LO range only. This range is for extra pulling power in off road situations. Low range reduction ratio is 2.72:1.

The NV243 is an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with a low range gear reduction system. The NV243 has three operating ranges plus a NEUTRAL position. The low range system provides a gear reduction ratio for increased low speed torque capability.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.

OPERATING RANGES
Transfer case operating ranges are:

2WD (2-wheel drive).
4HI (4-wheel drive).
4LO (4-wheel drive low range).
NEUTRAL.
The 2WD range is for use on any road surface at any time.

The 4HI and 4LO ranges are for off road use only. They are not for use on hard surface roads. The only exception being when the road surface is wet or slippery or covered by ice and snow.

The low range reduction gear system is operative in 4LO range only. This range is for extra pulling power in off road situations. Low range reduction ratio is 2.72:1.

The NV244 is an electronically controlled full and part-time transfer case with no two wheel drive operation.

A differential in the transfer case is used to control torque transfer to the front and rear axles. A low range gear reduction system provides increased low speed torque capability for off road operation. The low range provides a 2.72:1 reduction ratio.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.


OPERATING RANGES
NV244 operating ranges are:

AWD(All-Wheel Drive)
4HI (Part-time)
4LO
NEUTRAL
The AWD mode can be used at any time and on any road surface.

The 4HI (Part-time) and 4LO ranges are for off road use only. The only time these ranges can be used is when the road surface is covered with snow, ice, or other loose slippery material.

It doesn't matter which transfer case he has....he's already said he doesn't have one with an AWD selection, so that rules out the NV244.
The other two work exactly the same. I'm not that familiar with the first two X-fer cases, but I'd hazard a guess that the NV43 is a heavier-duty version of the NV233, since it's also available behind a diesel.
Other than strength, there is no difference in the way they operate.