Gladiator feels funny in 4WD. Is this normal

[Quickstep192]

I put my Gladiator in 4 Wheel High for the first time this week. It seemed find when driving in a straight line, but steering at low speed was really clunky (technical term

It was almost as if the front wheels were fighting one another.

Any suggestions?

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[u-joint]

Are you doing this on a hard surface? Like dry pavement?

If so, don’t do that. 4WD is best engaged on wet or loose surfaces.

 

[sharpsicle]

Is this your first 4wd vehicle? Not trying to be a smartass, but it sounds like it might be.

Not only is @u-joint correct that you don't want to do this on dry pavement, but also if you turn too far you'll come across binding issues. You really want to reduce the maximum wheel turn when in 4wd, I usually only go 50% of the way that I normally would in 2wd.

 

[Kevin_D]

If you don't have SelecTrac, there's no differential action in the transfer case: the front & rear drivelines must turn at the same speed. When you turn a corner, the front driveline wants to turn at a different speed: it ends up having to slip the front wheels so something doesn't break.

Kevin

 

[Quickstep192]

Thanks you guys. Not my first 4WD, but my previous truck (Ford) was full time all wheel drive.

I wasn't exactly on dry pavement; I was on grass. I was driving on a friends lawn and wanted to avoid spinning the rear wheels. And, I was kind of steering a tight radius trying to navigate between some bushes.

Thanks for the info and tips

 

[u-joint]

Thanks you guys. Not my first 4WD, but my previous truck (Ford) was full time all wheel drive.

I wasn't exactly on dry pavement; I was on grass. I was driving on a friends lawn and wanted to avoid spinning the rear wheels. And, I was kind of steering a tight radius trying to navigate between some bushes.

Thanks for the info and tips

it’s all good. ?

yeah, grass is perfectly fine. At full clock you’ll feel those front tires dig in. That’s perfectly fine - just let’s you know the 4WD is doing it’s thing.

 

[Dickies Outdoor's]

Normal if you're on dry surfaces. (Don't engage on dry surfaces) 4 wheel drive is a LOT different than all wheel drive, especially in Jeeps with solid axles. Dont worry about it, just use it when you on a surface that gives. Some.. sand, snow, ice, mud, soft dirt. You make still get some slight jumping, but that's perfectly normal

 

[Janster]

Thanks you guys. Not my first 4WD, but my previous truck (Ford) was full time all wheel drive.

I wasn't exactly on dry pavement; I was on grass. I was driving on a friends lawn and wanted to avoid spinning the rear wheels. And, I was kind of steering a tight radius trying to navigate between some bushes.

Thanks for the info and tips

When in 4WD Hi or Lo…Avoid making tight turns, regardless of what terrain you’re on. If you feel hesitation… or the truck doesn’t want to move…. DO NOT FORCE IT.
The front driveline - CV’s or Ujoints (whatever you have) can bind up.

4Hi and 4lo is NOT THE SAME as ALL WHEEL DRIVE.
If you have “4Auto” - that’s the only 4WD mode (if equipped) that can be similar to ALL Wheel Drive that can make tight turns.

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