RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer
Login  | |
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/13/2006 8:38:23 PM
|
|
|
a_tack
Suspension Tech Moderator
Posts: 1287
Joined: 4/5/2006
From: Ashland, Kentucky
Status: offline
|
well, noone said anything about negotiating trails in 2wd..... just simply... there is no point in locking it into 4wd until you need it..... if you are on a reasonably flat surface with little strain... 4wd is pointless.... and btw... 4lo will only screw you over in extremely muddy terrain.... you cannot get the tires to turn fast enough to self-clean in 4lo.... I think alot of people technically go do what we KY folk call "mudding" not wheeling or crawling on this forum... theres a difference between the mud and negotiating trails... but if anyone wants to do the mud in 4-lo... let me know and ill come to the rescue and pull your truck out
I know for one.. I dont wheel or crawl because I cant even risk tearing up something or doing body damage, but i'll be the first to sling a bit of thick mud.....in 2wd haha....
_____________________________
-Aaron
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." -James 1:19
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/13/2006 10:38:02 PM
|
|
|
muslhed
Posts: 6
Joined: 9/2/2006
Status: offline
|
Your saying that you should not use 4LO in extremely muddy terrain?  You'll end up burning up your tranny or clutch up, trying to wheel in 4HI in deep mud, man! Once again, that's what the gearing in 4LO is for. Can't turn the tires fast enough in 4LO in deep mud? Maybe if you left it in 1st frickin gear! LOL! If you were to leave it in 4HI in deep sticky mud, the tires will be under a tremendous amount of suction created by the mud. That suction equates into a severe load placed on the rest of the drivetrain. Shift into 4LO, and you will now have the gearing to move on through, without overloading your auto transmission or clutch. Need more wheel speed? Simply shift to a higher gear.
The only thing I find 4HI useful for, is driving on wet or icy roads on the highway. Most other type of four wheeling (i.e. technical trails, mudding, rock crawling, etc.), should be done in 4LO to ease the strain placed on the rest of the drivetrain. Four wheeling in sand being the obvious exception.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/13/2006 11:17:34 PM
|
|
|
Jigg
Posts: 494
Joined: 12/1/2006
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: muslhed
Your saying that you should not use 4LO in extremely muddy terrain? You'll end up burning up your tranny or clutch up, trying to wheel in 4HI in deep mud, man! Once again, that's what the gearing in 4LO is for. Can't turn the tires fast enough in 4LO in deep mud? Maybe if you left it in 1st frickin gear! LOL! If you were to leave it in 4HI in deep sticky mud, the tires will be under a tremendous amount of suction created by the mud. That suction equates into a severe load placed on the rest of the drivetrain. Shift into 4LO, and you will now have the gearing to move on through, without overloading your auto transmission or clutch. Need more wheel speed? Simply shift to a higher gear.
The only thing I find 4HI useful for, is driving on wet or icy roads on the highway. Most other type of four wheeling (i.e. technical trails, mudding, rock crawling, etc.), should be done in 4LO to ease the strain placed on the rest of the drivetrain. Four wheeling in sand being the obvious exception.
ahhh, what the hell do you know?
Thumbnail Image
 Attachment (1)
< Message edited by Jigg -- 12/13/2006 11:20:40 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 3:01:16 AM
|
|
|
KFC_Or_Bust
Posts: 20
Joined: 10/11/2006
From: New Milford, CT
Status: offline
|
Mudding should NOT be done in 4-Lo, what are you on crack man? I've only used 4-Lo twice over a period of 2 1/2 years with 3 Blazers. Both of those times I was pulling out huge boulders and I needed all the torque I could get. 4-Lo is pretty much an emergency only thing as it puts a huge strain on the drivetrain, if you aren't an idiot 4-Hi should suit you just fine.
You keep wheeling in 4-Lo and I'll be waiting for your Wanted post asking for a Transfer Case that suddenly grenaded itself.
_____________________________
1994 Oldsmobile Bravada -1993 Typhoon Drivetrain + Suspension. KB Intake, 3" TBE, Profec Spec B. 12''s When It Runs
2007 Mazdaspeed6 Sport - 13.9 @ 96.98mph 1.8 60ft. Totalled 12/10/07 Due To ****ty Other Driver
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 3:03:36 AM
|
|
|
a_tack
Suspension Tech Moderator
Posts: 1287
Joined: 4/5/2006
From: Ashland, Kentucky
Status: offline
|
haha... true true... ive used 4 lo three times in three different vehicles... all while pulling out other vehicles.. did it in the silverado, the blazer, and the J10.....well technically 4 times in 4 vehicles... but the 77 cherokee was used to pull up stumps.. hahaha
_____________________________
-Aaron
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." -James 1:19
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 7:54:49 AM
|
|
|
swartlkk
Posts: 14472
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
|
Ok, can we agree to disagree here? There are driving styles and circumstances that warrant the use of 4hi over 4lo and vise versa. It's all up to personal preference and the traction that is available. I don't think there will ever be a clear cut answer as to when 4lo is warranted or even if you need to hit 4hi when you enter a trail. It is all up to the person behind the wheel. As such, I don't think it is for someone else to say whether your way of wheeling is right or wrong. Everyone has their own style when behind the wheel. Just do what ever makes it fun!
_____________________________
Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 8:40:14 AM
|
|
|
Jigg
Posts: 494
Joined: 12/1/2006
Status: offline
|
a_tack and KFC_or_Bust: I'd very much like to see some pictures of the type of wheeling you guys do.
What some people consider "wheeling", others consider "driving down a dirt road". I can only assume that you just haven't had the opportunity to take your trucks on a trail that challenges them. It's very simple, if you haven't used 4lo on the trail, the trail you're on isn't much of a challenge.
Kyle, I know what you're saying, and i agree that, either way, it's good for people to get out and use their trucks offroad, but for these guys to be telling people that 4lo is going to damage their transfer case or blow up their drivetrain, is absurd. Without 4lo, the only way to tackle most harder obstacles is with speed. I'd rather the members here actually understand what their vehicles do and the proper operation of them, than trying to take on obstacles at a higher speed and risk damage to themselves or their vehicle.
Here's some food for thought... there's an entire magazine named after the function in your trucks that KFC implied only an idiot would use offroad:
http://www.low-range.com/
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 11:14:28 AM
|
|
|
swartlkk
Posts: 14472
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
|
Once again, things have gotten out of hand. I did not want to put my opinion down into an already highly opinionated thread, but I feel like attempting to clear some things up. One thing that I would like to strongly convey to everyone involved, please be more considerate to your fellow members.
On the issue of 4LO use. 4LO will not cause added strain on the engine or transmission. It actually gives the engine/transmission more mechanical advantage, making the load easier on both of them. Now, given adaquate traction, it will cause added stress on the axles, but typically, traction is the issue and by using finesse to get through areas, the difference in stress is negligible. We don't have the luxury of locking our transmissions in a higher gear to get the proper torque application for the traction conditions (unless you are manual) so there are some cases where 4HI may be better than 4LO just because it gives you a different torque range delivered to the wheels.
Now this is highly subjective and results may very based on terrain, driving style, and equipment used. I will say that I am not an avid off-roader/rock-crawler/mud-bogger like many others. What I have stated above is what I know by applying logic and learned experiences from other avenues.
We have a very wide range of members with varying experiences. I am by no means the most knowledgable guy here and I know that to be true. We all have to remember that when someone makes a suggestion or voices their opinion on something, it should be done to benefit all, not belittle one. Every member has unique experiences and the diversity is what makes us stronger. We need to work off of the strengths of those experiences. Just because another member may have had a contradictory experience does not make either unequivocally correct. This is simply because no two experiences are ever the same. Heck, if that were true, I should aways run 14.56s quarters with my Bonneville (my personal best).
We are all here to help each other!
_____________________________
Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 11:42:05 AM
|
|
|
KFC_Or_Bust
Posts: 20
Joined: 10/11/2006
From: New Milford, CT
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Jigg
a_tack and KFC_or_Bust: I'd very much like to see some pictures of the type of wheeling you guys do.
What some people consider "wheeling", others consider "driving down a dirt road". I can only assume that you just haven't had the opportunity to take your trucks on a trail that challenges them. It's very simple, if you haven't used 4lo on the trail, the trail you're on isn't much of a challenge.
I wheel like a mofo dude, I hit as many trails and mud pits as I can in my stock tire, stock height Blazers. Heck, I've lived on a dirt road my entire life so there goes your theory of my "wheeling" being driving down a dirt road. I wheel and I wheel well thank you very much, there's a certain trail around here owned by a friend of mine that has claimed many a car by way of rollover that I've traversed dozens of times without mishap. Well besides getting stuck of course, ya tend to get high sided a lot in a stock Blazer.
I've been buried in mud up to the hood and in straight water for that matter too, I have a couple pics of my muddy cars on my Myspace, that'll have to do.
That's my old 89 High Country after a few minutes in a mud pit.
And there's my 92 Blazer at the beginning of a very, very muddy day. That's the plateau of the trail I mentioned before, my friend inherited 300+ acres of field/woods and as soon as rain touches it it's mud central.
I know this picture is pretty dark but that's my Blazer hiding underneath a few inches of mud. Only thing I cleaned off was the headlights.
A lot of people probably consider that off roading, that's just me being bored climbing a rock in my driveway.
When it comes down to it, I live to offroad, I can't wait til winter comes, I love snow driving.
_____________________________
1994 Oldsmobile Bravada -1993 Typhoon Drivetrain + Suspension. KB Intake, 3" TBE, Profec Spec B. 12''s When It Runs
2007 Mazdaspeed6 Sport - 13.9 @ 96.98mph 1.8 60ft. Totalled 12/10/07 Due To ****ty Other Driver
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 12:10:44 PM
|
|
|
Jigg
Posts: 494
Joined: 12/1/2006
Status: offline
|
KFC, I can see where you're coming from now. In mud, with less agressive tires, 4lo isn't going to do much more for you than 4 hi will, as your tires are just going to spin and spin without grabbing onto anything. When you can actually gain traction with a tire that's suited for the conditions, you'll see a world of difference between 4hi and 4lo. Without traction, you might as well be in 2wd, 'cus it's just momentum that's carrying you through things.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 12:13:44 PM
|
|
|
muslhed
Posts: 6
Joined: 9/2/2006
Status: offline
|
I've done a little bit of wheelin' round the country in my current ZR2 Blazer:
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/Muslhed/Best%20Blazer%20pics/
Everything you see in these four wheeling pics, required the use of low range.
Okay, I'm done here.
< Message edited by muslhed -- 12/25/2006 7:02:31 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/14/2006 4:59:53 PM
|
|
|
rabbit0102030
Paint & Body Moderator
Posts: 1231
Joined: 9/25/2006
From: GdUp, TEXAS
Status: offline
|
My bad Kyle, I will try my best to stay out of these types of things from now on. Sorry, if my comment ticked anyone off. I apologize.
_____________________________
June 2007 Ride Of The Month
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/15/2006 12:07:35 AM
|
|
|
Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3479
Joined: 5/11/2005
Status: offline
|
I love this thread.
I can see both sides.
I wheel with guys who are always in 4lo and swear by it. I myself wheel in 4hi on the same terrain. Only time I drop into 4lo is for really steep hills, up or down, and anytime I have to climb somthing slowely. Slowing everything down with gears is a great way to gain traction in those conditions.
I prefer 4hi for sand and mud, tire speed. I keep the tire speed up to clean the tires in the mud, and 4lo in the sand only causes you to dig to China.
I got a few wheeling pics somewhere.
I tend to wheel at Cliffs Insane Terrain, or the Badlands. One of these days I want to make it down to RockPort.
Great pics posted above.
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/15/2006 10:28:31 AM
|
|
|
a_tack
Suspension Tech Moderator
Posts: 1287
Joined: 4/5/2006
From: Ashland, Kentucky
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Jigg
KFC, I can see where you're coming from now. In mud, with less agressive tires, 4lo isn't going to do much more for you than 4 hi will, as your tires are just going to spin and spin without grabbing onto anything. When you can actually gain traction with a tire that's suited for the conditions, you'll see a world of difference between 4hi and 4lo. Without traction, you might as well be in 2wd, 'cus it's just momentum that's carrying you through things.
see jigg, i refuse to do many hills... I mostly run old strip mines with deep mud holes...... I understand 4lo for the hills and stuff.. 4hi would probably spin the tires too much..lol if you have ever been on a strip mine, they are mostly flat with some hellaciously deep mudholes. I've had the truck in mud and water up to the headlights and remained in 4hi, but it was almost completely level ground. I don't wheel hard, I technically go mudding. or at least thats what we call it... flat ground + plus deep mud holes = happy me!! I will get some pics of the places I go... I think most of you would enjoy a good old fashioned kentucky strip mine....lol
muslhed, that wall climbing pic is awesome...lol keep em coming.
To all:
sorry if I got out of hand... I don't remember if I did or not, but if so... my bad..
< Message edited by a_tack -- 12/15/2006 10:31:00 AM >
_____________________________
-Aaron
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." -James 1:19
|
|
|
|
|
RE: First Time Barrying the Blazer - 12/25/2006 10:34:08 AM
|
|
|
blazinloud
Posts: 2425
Joined: 2/8/2006
From: Saskatoon, Canada
Status: offline
|
muslhed those pics totally kick azz!!! I love that wall climb!!
is that with stock suspension? damn i want a ZR2 
I've NEVER even tried out my 4lo, can you still rev the engine just as high? I shoulda tried that when i got stuck in the 3 feet of snow 
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
 Today's Posts
Most Active Topics
Make A Donation
Forum Rules & FAQ
RSS Feeds
Chevy Blazer Prices
Chevy Blazer
Trailblazer SS
Advertising Info
|
Blazer Forum .com is not affiliated with or endorsed by Chevrolet Motors Division or General Motors.
|
Printable Version
But if all that a person is doing in their 4WD vehicle, is hopping a curb, or driving down a dirt path....then obviously 4WD is not necessary for that. 
It will love you for it.
