engaging 4wd in 1991 v1500

25

Asked by Busterleon Mar 03, 2008 at 10:54 AM about the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban V1500 4WD

Question type: General

Hi I have a 1991 4wd suburban. Is there anything special about engaging the 4wd? I have had a friend tell me that i need to be stopped, have the tranny in neutral and then shift into 4wd - then switch into drive and drive away... However, i also remember hearing having to back your vehicle up to engage or disengage older 4wd systems. Mine has auto hubs on the front. What is the correct way to engage/disengage the 4wd?

Thanks

Larry elwood

3 Answers

14,125

Your truck has the shift on the fly, but dont shift-on-the-fly. The syncro's dont like it. I had a 1991 K5 GMC Jimmy, just like your Suburban but, it only had 2 doors. When I put it in 4wd I stopped and put it in neutral, sometimes I backed up (if my 4wd light didn't come on). My dads K5, he used to shift on the fly, in 96 the front 4wd was toast and then again in 2001 he needed to replace it again, mine was never replaced. I would recommed that you stop, put it in neutral, then put it in 4wd. Enjoy the truck.

1 people found this helpful.
115

i agree with him.i have a '93 suburban and i have to stop engage and go thats all no backing up required.

The backing up is for taking it out of 4 wheel drive. It disengages the hubs. Definitely stop it, put it in neutral, engage the 4x4, then continue. The transfer cases in the early to mid 90's could not properly handle the shift on the fly. Besides, it is better to realize "I might need this 4x4" ahead of time that to get stuck and say "I need 4x4 now". As long as you are on wet pavement the gearing difference should not hurt your truck. Just don't drive on dry pavement with the 4x4 HIGH engaged. Low range is less forgiving.

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