What is the difference between 4hi n 4low??? probly a dumb question but thought id ask n e way...

 

4HI has all the same overall gear ratios as 2HI. The only difference is that there is drive to both axles instead of just the rear.

4LO routes the power through an extra set of reduction gears in the transfer case. The Ranger T/C ratio is 2.48:1 and it multiplies the available torque by that number for offroad use when needed. It also makes it easier to go downhill in a controlled manner and crawl around obstacles. The downside is that engine RPM is 2 1/2 times higher at any given gear/speed combination, so top speed and fuel economy drop way off.

 

So if i were to go muddin n it began to get pretty thick which one should i use to avoid gettin stuck 4high or 4low

 

4 high

 

Neither will keep you from getting stuck. However, using too low a gear can often get you stuck easier in mud or sand. Momentum is your friend.

Use low range when you need to go very slow or to get up (or down) steeper hills. If you have a manual transmission, you will probably need low range more often than with an automatic.

 

For thick mud I would definitely use 4hi. Using low-range will make your wheels turn much slower for any given rpm, albeit with 2.48 times as much torque. That torque goes to waste in the mud, however. You will want high wheel speeds to keep your momentum up like Bob said. A good example of a time you might need 4lo is when you are trying to pull a boat out of the water on a slippery boat ramp. By putting the case into 4lo you get the added traction of 4 drive wheels versus 2, and you also get extra torque to help pull the boat out of the water.

 

And once again:

You must stop and put the truck in neutral before shifting into or out of 4lo.

 

Foot on brake (and clutch in too, if you have one) also. It says how to do it in your owner's manual, but it's a tricky process if you've never done it before.