AboutCarl Brandt Expertise Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor.
I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience Experience in the area 40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 3 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 9" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a K&N air filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 95:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 95 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 35" MT's, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, and a stock 2000 Grand Cherokee.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations I belong to
President of Lost Coast 4x4's (8 years)
http://lostcoast4x4.org
Blue Ribbon Association
United Four Wheel Drive
Corva
Cal 4 Wheel
dave writes on 2008-01-07 19:41:03
I was wondering if you figured out how to fix your fuse from blowing. I am having the same isssue.
waylon_b writes on 2008-02-21 20:04:27
Try checking the fluid level in the front diff.. If it is low, old and thick the locking mechanism in the differential will not allow the accuator to engage causing the fuse to blow rather than hurting the accuator. Take the accuator out of the differential using a 1" wrench. Replace the fuse. Put it in 4-wheel drive. If the accuator extends then it's in the diff.. If it doesn't extend and blows the fuse, replace the accuator. You can find one at your local auto parts store for about $90 dollars.
98 Silver writes on 2008-03-05 02:16:52
its probally the transfer case solinoid i jus fixed a 94 doin the same thing the solinoid was bad and drawing to many amps
sideshow writes on 2008-03-09 18:41:16
I am having the same problem and narrowed it down to a little wiring harness located on the front diff (passenger side)
As for your answer about go buy a Hanes manual, sounds like you work for them. Forums are for advice and hands on experience, not for promoting a book. They are handy at times but nothing beats hands on experience.
I hope to see some helpful answers here that will not only help me, but others with similar problems. judging from the amount of questions being asked, this is a common problem for chevy trucks with electric 4x4 switchs.
Roman writes on 2008-04-09 18:37:26
I had that same problem just this weekend on my 1993 Chevy Z71. The four wheel drive 25amp fuse would blow as soon as I put it in 4high. It turned out to be the four wheel drive manual control switch which is located in the front differential. Replaced it and all is good now. cost was about $100.00. I am currently looking for a manual switch to replace the electronic actuator that it currently uses. Good Luck
