looking for input of anyone that's done it. debating this as next mod but looking for pointers from someone who has done it

hey capt haven't heard from ya in awhile ...you must be busy. I haven't used them but would like to see some input into this (could be my next mod too) or locker 

Question - has either of you removed the pneumatic front axle freewheel mechanism?

If you have, then your choices for 2WD low range are select 4L and leave the front hubs unlocked, or fit a "twin stick", but if you still have the pneumatic freewheel mechanism, 2WD low range can be as simple as installing a toggle switch in the circuit between the 4WD switch (on the transfer case) and the 4WD controller.

Select 4L with the transfer case lever - flip the switch one way it's 4WD low range, flip the switch the other way, disconnecting the freewheel mechanism, and you have 2WD low range.

"If you have, then your choices for 2WD low range are select 4L and leave the front hubs unlocked,..."


This is what I do.  The draw back being IF you wanted to shift into and out of 4WD I still have to hop out and lock the hubs.  I don't mind this for where and how I drive though.

Cool I did not know this. Was going to start to run 33's and thought even with my 5.12 swap I may need 2 low to get up grades. I already have manual hubs and when I am off road I have hubs engaged, but when I hit pavement I usually disengage front hubs. beagle had some health issues(hypertension) and was trying to get that dialed in, meds made me a little goofy at first and since I 4x4 alone a lot I did not think it was a good idea. I am out and about again in our local mountains and deserts. For you local guys wildflowers have been awesome for about 3 months now. best I have ever seen it in a while

i think that there would be a fair amount of cutting to get 33 too fit. glad to hear that you are better

Being able to use low range on the hard ball for the better gearing comes in handy.  A couple years ago I towed an Oldsmobile about three miles to a repair garage with my tow strap using my low range when the car quit during a test drive.  Buster wouldn't have had the gearing to do this using hi-range.

I also use low range to drag larger logs occasionally where traction isn't a problem but power to the wheels is.  It's much easier on the clutch too.

Norm - were you towing that Olds up a grade?  I'm wondering what condition your engine is in...

I occasionally use my 2.0 GV to tow vehicles to the shop - one such tow was my sister's SV620 Vitara -  essentially a 5 door Sidekick Sport with a 2.0 litre V6 - and I was quite amazed when I found I could roll that away from a stand still, almost effortlessly, using high range first gear and no throttle - I was expecting it to stall on me, but it didn't - that J20 actually had enough torque at 800 rpm to move roughly three tons of combined vehicle.

The only time I've had to use low range with a tow strap was recovering a Toyota that was driver's side down in a ditch - two wheels down in the mud, two wheels up in the air.

Fordem, my engine is still sound and runs very reliably, given it had almost 200K miles on him back at that time.  I'm right at 207K miles now and he is still going strong (minus the seal and throw out bearing issue which is now being corrected). 

I don't know for certain, but I suspect the Olds was quite a bit heavier than my Tracker.  There weren't any severe hills on the tow, just one long slope up grade and then down a sharp hill to the garage where it was being repaired.  My mechanic friend was test driving it when it died and would not restart on him and left him stranded out on a country road.  He had no one to assist him recover the car that day back at the shop so he called me as he occasionally does.  He's a great guy and I always try to have his back when he needs an extra hand.   I just towed him back to his garage for the repair.

I used my low range to tow it because, first, I didn't want to stress my clutch towing it several miles and second, I knew I wasn't going to be hitting any high speeds during the tow because of control safety issues during the tow.

I'm pretty sure I would have had difficulties towing it that far using high range, but I also didn't even try it.

these things tow great with 5.12 gears stopping not so much. towed my 19ft fiberglass center console with 115 four stroke to boat shop 10 miles away. even with trailer brakes did not stop as well as I liked. and yes I know I cant everyday tow this load. was just to lazy to take the lance camper off the 2000 diesel 4x4 superduty