4 wheel drive check

[adsvx220]

I am buying a cheap 4x4 to go green laning and off roading. I have found the motor I want (daihatsu foutrack). Other than a small leak on the rear diff it seems fine. I want to check the 4x4 system before I part with my cash, what is the best way to check if the 4 wheel drive is working on high and low range.

Cheers

[durbster]

I'm pretty new to the 4x4 world so hopefully wiser words will follow, but I don't think transmission wind up is a big problem if you only drive far enough to test the 4x4 system.

Assuming it's auto-hubs, just hit the 4H button and when you drive forward the light should come on the dash. Drive it up to 20mph and listen for anything nasty, then stop and reverse a short distance to make sure it's disengaged.

To test 4L I would assume providing the gear selects OK and it lurches as a low range box should, it's fine

Edited by durbster on Friday 4th March 20:31

[Eggman]

The simplest check I can think of would be to put a scissor jack under the back axle (being mindful of pipes, etc) and raise one wheel just clear of the ground, then attempt to drive forward (very slowly) in 4wd. If its working, it'll pull the car off the jack and if not, it won't.

If you have two jacks, you could raise both wheels on one side just clear of the ground and observe them.

[Hooli]

See if it selects 4wd & low range, it's common enough for most cars that have never been off road to have seized linkages.