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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| four wheel drive | 2/3/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: the four wheel drive on my 2002 explorer will not disengage but it will shift from four low to four ... A: Aaron, There are numerous components that can cause this problem. The one that usually is the prime ... | ||
| Nissan Titan | 2/1/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: When I put my truck in 4hi my rear tires lock up and don't turn unless I give it more gas is this ... A: Andrew, I'm not sure what you mean when you say the rear tires lock up. If they roll free when in ... | ||
| My Nissan Pathfinder Light issue | 2/1/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: My 1995 Nissan Pathfinder has been having issues turning off both headlights. The right headlight ... A: Johnathon, Wow, this is an unusual one. Sounds like you have a shorted relay, or wire. You will ... | ||
| 2002 dodge 1500 dome lights | 1/31/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I recently purchased Recon truck lights for my running boards and would like to hook up the white ... A: Charlie, I would purchase a repair manual for the Dodge. It should have the wiring diagrams that ... | ||
| 1990 GMC 4X4 3/4 TON | 1/31/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WAS WORKING 3 MONTHS AGO.FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAUGE.CHECKED ACTUATOR ON ... A: James, There is a transfer case relay (on the firewall), a front axle actuator and a front axle ... | ||
| air suspension on lincoln navigator | 1/24/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a Lincoln Navigator 4x4 with all wheel air. My rear end does not raise. I have replaced the ... A: Greg, The following is the inspection and verification procedure for this suspension: Inspection ... | ||
| Fuel injection | 1/21/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 1989 Nissan pathfinder, 3.0 V6 TBI does it have 1 or 2 fuel injectors ANSWER: John, The ... A: O2 sensors do go out fairly often. The problem is that when they do, they usually don't cause this ... | ||
| Denali heated seat | 1/19/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: the drivers side when turned on high feels like your bottom is going to burn up. Back seems fine for ... A: Dean, This is usually a dealer fix and not always cheap. Could be a faulty switch, but many times ... | ||
| Fuel injection | 1/17/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 1989 Nissan pathfinder, 3.0 V6 TBI does it have 1 or 2 fuel injectors A: John, The fuel injectors (2) are small solenoids that allow fuel to be injected into the intake ... | ||
| 95 isuzu rodeo | 1/12/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: speedometer has started to jump back and forth. daughter leaving for school 500 miles away in 2 ... A: Dee, This is usually due to a faulty speedometer cable, or sending unit depending on the type of ... | ||
| 96 chevy 1500 four wheel drive wont engage | 1/11/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 1996 Chevy truck and the four wheel drive will not work changed the acutuator and checked ... A: James, Here is a copy of a bulletin about this problem. 1996 Chevy Truck K 1500 Truck 4WD VIN W ... | ||
| 1997 Chevy 4x4 | 1/10/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 1997 chevy Z71 and when i put it in 4x4H the lights flash for 4x4H and 4x4L and nothing ... A: Lp, It sounds like a faulty motor/encoder or transfer case control module. OPERATION The Transfer ... | ||
| All Wheel Drive | 1/6/2012 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada with the Smarttrack all wheel drive. Ive haad this vehicle for a ... A: Dillon, Normally full time or all wheel drive vehicles only apply traction to the front, or rear of ... | ||
| 99 explorer full-time 4wheel drive | 12/30/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: do these all ride like crap? bought it had tranny rebuilt shifts fine,about 2000rpm. rides rougher ... A: Dan, Wow. It sounds like you got a real lemon. You should test drive another Explorer the same ... | ||
| 96 Isuzu Tooper Bottoms out | 12/26/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: In an answer to another question years ago to a person with the same problem you indicated that the ... A: Burt Wiand, If your springs are bad, it would be a good idea to replace them. Other possibilities ... | ||
| 97 Pathfinder Won't shift into 4 "high" | 12/21/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: My 97 Pathfinder has an automatic tranny and manual 4WD shifter. You need to depress the shifter ... A: Mike, Is it stuck in neutral, or is it going into 2 wheel drive or is it full time 4 wheel drive in ... | ||
| 4x4 | 12/18/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 94 ford suv and when i turn the wheels sharp the 4x4 wants to engage it makes a grinding ... A: Dale, I would suspect front wheel bearings, or possibly a bad front axle u-joint. If you have ... | ||
| 1993 ford explorer 4.0 | 12/18/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: look 4 fuel fillter and fuel pump . im thinking there both in tha gas tank .if u can help i ... A: Ricky, The fuel filter should be located on the frame. I have seen them near the engine and in some ... | ||
| rear hatch lock re-install | 12/9/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: just a small re-install problem.My key lock ,when i went to insert my key, fell inside the door.I ... A: Bob, One of my standard answers. Purchase a repair manual at a local auto parts store. These ... | ||
| clicking noise when turning | 12/5/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: i have a 86 nissan 4x4 720 pickup 5 speed manuel trans when i put it in 4 wheel drive every thing ... A: Gary, My first intuition, is that you have cv joints in the front axles. If you do, check them for ... | ||
| flashing 4x4 light on isuzu | 12/3/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: how do i get the 4x4 flasing light on dash to go out the 4x4 worksas it should isuzu trooper 2002 ... A: Peter, You need to check the wiring first. This could be a bad ground or shorted positive ... | ||
| Complex 4 Wheeler Automobile Design Model | 11/27/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: This is regarding a Complex 4 Wheeler Automobile Design Model VIZ Cars, Jeeps, Lorries, Bus, Tempo ... A: Prashant, Wow. I definitely would pursue this idea. Some areas of use could be in major ... | ||
| 4 - WHEEL DRIVE STUCK IN 4-HI | 11/26/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: MY QUESTION IS, IS THE BEST OPTION TO TRY FIRST TO CHANGE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE PUSH BUTTON CONTROL ON ... A: William, This problem can range from a faulty switch, bad ground, broken wire to a faulty component ... | ||
| 99 Chevy S10 4x4 problem | 11/22/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: My 4x4 will not disengage it is auto push button And it is stuck in 4hi A: Tami, This problem can range from a faulty switch, bad ground, broken wire to a faulty component in ... | ||
| Strut rod bushing seat | 11/20/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: i am replacing the strut rod bushings on a 1986 nissan 720 4x4 the problem i have run into is the ... A: Garry, If the dealer doesn't stock them, or can't order them, you may need to go to a wrecking yard. ... | ||
| 4 wheel drive not working | 11/20/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: i have a 96 ford explorer when in 4 wheel drive the front wheels don't pull tho the front axal turns A: Rob, Are the front axles turning, or is it just the driveline? You may have a vacuum problem at ... | ||
| 1998 Ford Explorer 4x4 | 11/17/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: my 1998 ford explorer 4x4 doesn't drive in reverse. It will drive forward but in 2wd, 4hi, or 4low. ... A: Christopher, You need to take it to a reputable transmission shop. The transmission is the only ... | ||
| 92 Nissan D21 pickup CV joint | 11/14/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I want to replace the CV joint on the passenger side but I can't get the CV joint out. What do I ... A: Alan, My first suggestion, is to purchase a repair manual. Most auto parts stores have them in ... | ||
| Re: Truck won't turn over when i turn the key | 11/10/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: this Land Rover Discovery '99 ran fine has some oxygen sensor thing needs brakes, transmission fluid ... A: Sally, Actually, this doesn't sound right, but it could still be the battery as it sounds like the ... | ||
| Honda Odyssey 2003 alternator | 11/9/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a Honda Odyssey 2003. Several months ago I was driving and saw lights on dashboard (all ... A: Efim, I would replace the battery as you drained it to a point where it may have overheated, and ... | ||
| radio signal | 11/5/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I removed the radio to get the dash torn apart to replace the cluster lights, when I put the radio ... A: Janet, You probably pulled the antennae wire loose from the radio. You need to get to the back of ... | ||
| Re: Truck won't turn over when i turn the key | 11/5/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: this Land Rover Discovery '99 ran fine has some oxygen sensor thing needs brakes, transmission fluid ... A: Sally, First of all, it sounds like the Rover needs to go to a reputable shop and have a complete ... | ||
| front end vibration | 10/28/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a front wheel drive 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe. At about 60-65 front end vibrates. As soon as I ... A: Gary, I have seen similar problems, and they were due to a faulty brake caliper that was not ... | ||
| 1991 Ford explorer 4X4 4.0 | 8/26/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Would you know this vehicle, when warmed up, I park it for about 5 minutes and when I try to ... A: Calvin, This could be one of several things, ranging from a bad coil to a simple tune up. I would ... | ||
| Lift kit | 8/21/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: In march I had a rough country lift kit put on my 05 F250 4X4. Since that day I had death wobble. I ... A: Jim, I can't say for sure what is causing your specific problem, as this is common with large lifts ... | ||
| Tahoe 4WD | 8/14/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: 2008 Chevy Tahoe LTZ. Usually drive in 2WD on pavement. No off-road. Have tried 4WD on dry pavement ... A: John, You should use 4WD on occasion to make sure that it is working, and to help lubricate the ... | ||
| Mercedes m350 brake problem? | 8/13/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I test drove a 2003 Mercedes m350 today, and i think it has break problems. I had to floor the break ... A: Eric, Yes, be suspicious of both. The brakes on a larger car can be even touchier and easier to ... | ||
| Ford Escape | 6/17/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Carl I have an older (2003) Escape. Last vehicle inspection I was told it needed new shocks. Is it ... A: Bud, You may be able to get heavy duty/overload shocks that will help the suspension, but this will ... | ||
| 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 | 6/16/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA RUNNER SR5. WE HAD PROBLEM WITH STARTING THE CAR. AFTER A COUPLE TIME STARTING ... A: Fara, You need to get the mechanic that worked on it to look at it again. I really don't have much ... | ||
| 4 wheel drive ground clearance | 3/11/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: is there any way of finding out what the ground clearance is on 4 wheel drive SUVs by way of ... A: Doug, The lowest point on any vehicle is the differential. You can contact dealers and check to ... | ||
Carl Brandt
Top Expert on this page
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
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 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" 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 cold air high flow 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 105:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland.
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
Lost Coast 4x4's
Cal 4-Wheel
Corva
UFWDA
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics
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