Some readers may recall the proverbial good ol’ days of pickups when we’d kick into 4×4 mode with a short lever on the floor.
Then came digitalization.
Some people might ask why engineers complicate every farm machine they touch. The answer is simple.
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It’s because they can. Their bosses are engineers too and the boss engineers have super bosses who also happen to be engineers. A young engineer creating a simple device is likely to be drummed out of the profession.
My new 1990 Toyota 4-Runner was a proper tough little truck with a floor lever. My 1990 factory ordered GMC 4×4 had a lever on the floor to activate 4×4.
My next new truck was a 2002 Dodge Dakota, which is still my daily driver at 200,000 kilometres. It’s the first fully digitalized 4×4 system I’ve had and it has cost a bundle to keep that activator activating.
If you really want an expensive un-reliable system, you just can’t beat the Mercedes SUV and their exclusive system featuring a tonne of digitalization.
My fling with the Merc flung itself out with the second $3,000 work order to replace the activation system. Winnipeg salt doesn’t react well with Mercedes sensors and microcomputers that an engineer thoughtfully permanently located down near ground level, which means salt level, proudly positioned on the front right suspension rail.
Are there any positive comments we might think up for these dash digital button dialers?
Yes, in fact there are. For the most part all these 4×4 drive systems are pretty good. Any style 4×4 or all-wheel drive is a full giant step ahead of front-wheel drive or conventional rear-wheel drive. But you need to engage that vital front axle.
Here’s the typical scenario.
You’ve got a heavy load and you’re going up an incline, so you turn the dashboard button to the mode you think will pull you up the hill. Give her some throttle, and you’ve already lost the race. Rear tires spinning and digging a hole while the front tires are sitting still resting.
If you want reliable front axle engagement, it’s time to scrap your existing vacuum and electric activation and install positive engagement. What’s needed for modern digitalized pickups is a throwback to the old-fashioned, in-expensive, reliable manual linkage, so when you put it into 4×4, it really does go into 4×4.
The mind readers at 4X4 Posi-Lok in Coldwater, Michigan, have specialized in 4×4 work trucks, farm trucks and recreation trucks for decades. Because they deal with the problem first-hand, they decided they were in the best position to offer a cure.
The product is called simply 4X4 Posi-Lok and it’s available for all domestic North American trucks. The original activation apparatus is removed and a totally manual activator is installed.
Each kit is custom designed for a specific truck. All kits are operated by cable with a T-handle.
The following will be a list of typical vehicles with the appropriate kit:
Jeep kit 900 US$200
Dodge kit 400 $200
Chevy kit 500 $120
Chevy K series kit 600/800 $170
1000 Perm-lok all GMC trucks $90
You can eliminate steering bind in 4×4 low range by disengaging the front axle, thus giving you 2WD low range.
Contact ron.lyseng@producer.com
