1. plow in Drive
2. try to plow in 2wd if you start to slide around put it in 4wd High. you can plow in 4wd low but i haveent ever needed to.

 

Like Nekos said. Plow in 2 high. I like to use 2 high and 4 high only when needed. I think, "well I am in 4x4 I better be careful". Plus it is easier to steer in 2x2.

The one exception to this rule is gravel or dirt roads / driveways. Lot of times the chatter of the rear-end hop will cause ruts in the dirt. In that case I put it in 4x4 to keep from tearing up the road.

Might not be the best, but it is how I like to work.

Chris

 

Couple of other places I always use 4wd is on ice of any kind and steep uphill or downhill. I don't want to be trying to shift into 4wd on these conditions at all. Remember, if you are in 2wd and get into any type of tight spot, the rear wheel, under power by themselves, will tend to "push" the truck to one side or the other and always in a straight line relative to the wheels. Having it in 4wd, you'll have the front wheels pulling in the direction of the turn as well as the the rear wheels pushing.

 

under power by themselves, will tend to "push" the truck to one side or the other and always in a straight line relative to the wheels.

That is why you need an LSD.

Seriously good point as well.

 

I plow in 4-HI all the time. No sense spending the money for 4WD to fight the snow and slip and slide in 2WD. Most 2wd pickups can't get out of their own way on snow or ice.
Once you get stuck in 2wd, shifting in to 4wd may not help. Why take the chance and ruin your night.

 

My driveway is slightly uphill so I need 4wd...tried 2wd and I can't get up the driveway. Maybe if I back in the driveway in 4wd and push the snow out in 2wd is a solution. One question, you guys seem against 4wd to plow...is it because 4wd may damage the truck or the differential??

Tom

 

I plow in 4-HI all the time. No sense spending the money for 4WD to fight the snow and slip and slide in 2WD. Most 2wd pickups can't get out of their own way on snow or ice.
Once you get stuck in 2wd, shifting in to 4wd may not help. Why take the chance and ruin your night.

If you are slipping and sliding that is the time to put it in 4wd. No one here is saying different.

With LSD and ballast 4WD is needed a lot less.

 

My driveway is slightly uphill so I need 4wd...tried 2wd and I can't get up the driveway. Maybe if I back in the driveway in 4wd and push the snow out in 2wd is a solution. One question, you guys seem against 4wd to plow...is it because 4wd may damage the truck or the differential??

Tom

I do not think that anyone is going to tell you not to put it in 4wd. If you need it put it in 4wd put it in 4wd. Do not work around it.

Now plowing up hill or down hill will open another can of beans.

 

I've never plowed, but this would be my guess:

When plowing, you're often probably making tight turns. In 4x4 mode, tight turns beat up on the drivetrain more (axles, CV joints, front end components, etc). Think about trying to navigate a parking space in 4x4 or something, and when the front end starts hopping around.

If you can get away with 2wd, you don't have to deal with that as much. I know with my driveway, I won't be able to plow it in 2wd, so I'll just be careful to make my turns as large as possible.

 

I've never plowed, but this would be my guess:

When plowing, you're often probably making tight turns. In 4x4 mode, tight turns beat up on the drivetrain more (axles, CV joints, front end components, etc). Think about trying to navigate a parking space in 4x4 or something, and when the front end starts hopping around.

Good guess.

But if you are on ice or snow it is a little less harmful.

 

I only use 4wd when I need it. If I'm not slipping and sliding, then there is obviously no need to waste the fuel or cause wear and tear on the components in the 4wd, plus 2wd steers easier. That said, you're smaller plow rig will need 4wd a lot more than a heavier plow truck. 4-Lo has the advantage of working the trans a lot less and keeps the temp down, makes the trans last longer. But it requires more patience and you need to shift forward and reverse gently. I would recommend 4-lo on any difficult, rough or otherwise technical terrain. Install a tranny temp gauge, add 200-300 lbs ballast securely behind the rear wheels, and take your time.

 

That is why you need an LSD.

Enough LSD (and doesn't take much), you won't even need a truck - never mind tires. You just fly up over it all.

 

When I plow I always have my truck in 4wd HI. But I am surrounded by hills every were. Also when you are making the turns in 4wd there is usally enough snow on the ground to make when wheels slip instead of trying to fight each other and having it hop, Thats why you dont use 4wd on dry pavment. Also the only time I ever used 4wd LO when I had mud half way up my tires . just my own 0.02$

 

My s10 Blazer is so light in the ass end, that I need to be in 4 wheel drive. Your Dakota being a smaller truck, I would guess the same would apply.

 

I will tell you this, though. Plowing in Low1 (on your steering column) will extend the life of your transmission in multiples. the reason being, is that this does not allow your tranny to shift. It is when it shifts that it gets slippage on the bands. Unless it is long runs, I seldomly use L2 or drive for plowing.

 

Hey Lordofthesith, post a pic of the truck i'd like to see it

 

I only have one season under my belt, but I have a similar driveway from the sound of it to yours. Uphill, about 350-400' long, 2 car turnaround, 4 car parking at the top. I always plow in 4 hi. I use 4lo to get out of trouble. When I'm pushing snow it doesn't make any difference if I am in any forward gear since it never gets going fast enough to upshift from first gear...I keep my truck at the top of the driveway and push downhill on my first pass, then back up and I keep going up to clear the parking area into a spot I made in the woods so the snowmelt doesn't turn my driveway to mud. If its a really heavy snow (like 20" of slush) I would probably start at the top and do a herringbone pattern to push enough snow off the sides so that I don't wind up getting stuck behind a pile on the way down.

For what its worth though I use a 3/4 ton Chevy so I've got 3+ tons of mass to help me out.

I'd drop it into 4hi and leave the tranny in D if I were you...no point in using 2wd IMHO since it sounds like you're not doing this commercially, just your own driveway. The extra half a cup you use in fuel is unimportant.

 

I will tell you this, though. Plowing in Low1 (on your steering column) will extend the life of your transmission in multiples. the reason being, is that this does not allow your tranny to shift. It is when it shifts that it gets slippage on the bands. Unless it is long runs, I seldomly use L2 or drive for plowing.

I can't understand how running the engine at a higher rpm by not letting it shift is going to extend the life of the transmission. It is going to be hotter at 2500 rpms in low 1 than 1300 rpms in low 2. I'm not one for plowing at speed, but if the amount of pedal you give it and the level of resistance doesn't keep the truck in low 1, then I say let it shift. I've never heard of shifting hurting a trans or causing slippage. Maybe it does, but I've never heard of it. But I certainly feel that not shifting is worse due to the heat generated.

 

I was always told to plow in 4 wheel low. Truck has 185.000 miles and no trans problems... knock on wood.

 

If there is snow cover to warrent plowing leave the truck in 4hi . if where you plow requires you take streets to other sites that are cleaned of snow put it back in 2hi untill you get to next area, But leave it in 4hi if streets are snow covered..The main reason for this advice is controll of truck,Who cares if 2 wheel can get through the snow, it is in 4 wheel drive that truck controll with the plow is very important.

If you have a tow package and tow mode on truck engage it that increases the transmissions shift points and shift preassure durring each shift for a more posiitive shift.

 

hey what happened to the pic of the truck Sith

 

If its an automatic, turn the OD off and I would recommend plowing in 4wd high and on straight and level places try plowing just in 2wd. You will need some weight in the bed, probably around 300lbs.