When to use High Range or Low Range Like a Pro Offroad!

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A fine explanation - With standard 3:55 gears, larger tires and a modest 3" lift, I go into 4-low for almost all steep climbs or descents. With 4x4 trails that climb several thousand feet in California, I'm in 4 low a lot. However, 2 WD on dirt roads its too much FUN to slide around corners😃

I stick in high range when traveling 20 or more miles per hour, dropping into low when I hit an obstacle that needs lower speeds. Also use low range on steep, loose trails. I tend to prefer being in low range and taking it slow.

The bicycle analogy is good but to push it a little further think of the transmission gears as the sprockets on the rear hub and the transfer case as the chainrings by the pedals.

took a class with an i4wdta certified teacher and he said the same thing. on a lot of the trails here you’re not going fast so just keep it in low range so you’re ready for any obstacles. even on easy terrain where you don’t need the extra torque, if you’re still moving slow, keep it in low.

Awesome once again Matt A great explanation of Hi and Low. It’s amazing how many times you hear a car revving it’s rings out and you can tell the car is in the wrong gear. The more time you spend with your vehicle the more it will tell you what to do. Keep up the great work Matt. 👏👏👏

I drive on sand dunes on 4L on my Prado V6 petrol J150 with traction and ABS disabled. Amazing it is.

We always use 4L with our 2014 chevy 2500 duramax when pulling a 35 foot GN trailer loaded ( 20 1400lb hay bales)out of the field. Once on a county road I stop and go to 4H and tow haul for the 8 mile trip home.

Thanks! If you live in a snowy area, always plow in 4Low

I use low range any time I am driving at less than 500 ft above sea level, and high range any time I am above 500 ft. 😉😉😉🤣🤣

I go to high range soon as I leave the bitumen, control to 4 wheels, low range on steep/ slippery loose conditions, slow and steady control, thanks for sharing buddy

New to offroading. So far I use hi for anything higher speeds over 20kms or easy tracks. As soon as I gotta slow right down and either crawl or to be safe. I'll drop into low range.

When I'm just cruising trails I use 2 / 4hi depending on sand / mud. I have used 4lo for climbing steep hills / crawling. I also use is when snatching a vehicle from mud / sand.

High range for me is gravel roads and paved roads with light snow and low for just about everything else. My traction control goes off in low but I also turn it off in high. I also have an “auto” setting (chevy truck) which I’ve used once when the paved road had intermittent snow as the storm was just starting.

I just finished Installing a new radiator for a customer same Jeep grand Cherokee WJ was a 2003 Model 3:52

I have a Prado auto petrol and i rarely use low range as most of my 4 wheel driving is on beaches and sand dunes were i think its all about momentum so i only use low range for very slow almost crawling speeds, usually under 30 to 40 kmh.

One thing I'll add to that is that most national parks in African countries have a maximum speed limit of 40 km/h (25 mph), even on their sandy tracks. Therefore, I actually use low range in those cases for the same reasons as you. Furthermore, if you're in a really under-powered vehicle such as an old 1970's Land Rover with around 50-55 kW (67-74 bhp) at the flywheel, you'll need to be in low range on sandy tracks anyway, simply because they can't pull high range. One thing I will add is that a lot of vehicles these days, particularly with automatics, have inhibit mechanisms which prevent you going at any reasonable speed in low range. I think the current generation Hilux prevents you using any gear higher than 4th in low range, which really means that under conditions where I'd rather be in low range, I actually have to be in high. The reason? The transfer box can't cope with high speeds in low range.

Hi Matt, thanks for posting this. I have a 1994 Wrangler YJ, with a 4 banger and a 5-speed tranny. When I'm off-roading, I normally run around in 4 low, in 3rd or 4th gear. When the trail gets harder, I might have to shift down into 2nd or even 1st gear. It's almost like driving an automatic. In 3rd gear, I can almost come to a complete stop without stalling and then get back on the accelerator. This really works for me. It's good to see you posting again.

Don't forget to mention that all the power goes to the wheel with least resistance with open diff.

Up and down hills, crawling over rocks and other rough terrain I stay in low. I don’t necessarily use low for sand but my truck isn’t stock. 365hp magnum 360, NV4500 and 4.56 gears/35s give me a lot of options.