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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| 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 ... | ||
| Radio | 1/23/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe. The radio system in the vehicle is BOSE. There is no volume coming ... A: Cameron, Check the wiring to the speakers and check them at the radio to make sure that they are ... | ||
| Tahoe 4 wheel drive engagement | 1/21/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2001 Tahoe 5.3 L. When it snowed, I put it in 4W Low and it seemed to engage low range. ... A: Ron, If your right front was spinning, then your 4-wheel drive is working as designed. If both rear ... | ||
| Tahoe 4 wheel drive engagement | 1/20/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2001 Tahoe 5.3 L. When it snowed, I put it in 4W Low and it seemed to engage low range. ... A: Ron, Try this again, but have someone outside watch the front end to make sure that it is, or is ... | ||
| 2007 gmc acadia | 1/19/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Carl, I am considering purchasing a 2007gmc Acadia with 58k mi. It just had a new transmission put ... A: Lacey, I try not to advise people as to what kind of vehicle to buy, as this can be a real personal ... | ||
| 1994 Ford Exlorer stuck in 4 wheel drive | 1/17/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: My w 4 wheel dive has worked fine. My son got the car stuck out back in snow and mud. He pushed the ... A: Donna, First of all, I'm not sure what you are saying when you tell me that the hubs are sticking ... | ||
| Fuel mileage | 1/17/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I just bought a '96 Dodge 2500 4x4. Would it save me anything by putting on Frt. Lock outs, & ... A: Lee, There are things that you can do to help the gas mileage. Most of these items will make such ... | ||
| 1996 suburban won't go into 4x4 | 1/16/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: My '96 Suburban 1500 4x4 won't shift into 4 wheel drive. When I push the button for 4 Hi the light ... A: Alex, This could be anything from a bad switch, broken wire or a a bad ground. I would purchase a ... | ||
| 93 Ford Explorer Sport | 1/14/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: The upper radiator hose is hot, the temp. gage is red line within minutes, but the heater blows cold ... A: Hector, I would, definitely, replace the thermostat right away as this is an inexpensive fix, and ... | ||
| 4x4 on1992 ranger | 1/13/2011 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: have 1992 ranger with 2.9 engine. push the on dash 4x4 putton and does not engage. is this a vacum ... A: Duane, I would check out the electrical first. It could be anything from a bad switch, broken wire ... | ||
| Landrover Discovery CKP | 12/23/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: > I installed a new crank sensor (CKP) in my Landrover Discovery. It was pretty > much plug and play ... A: Corbett, As far as I know, this recommendation didn't come from me. Once this is replaced, the ... | ||
| 2004 chey 1500 4 wheel drive | 12/20/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Every time I put my truck in 4 wheel drive and it starts to spin it bends the right side tire rod. ... A: Chris, I'm not sure what you are calling the "tire rod" as this is not a standard term. There is a ... | ||
| 4 wheel drive problem | 12/16/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I had a new transmission installed in my 2002 jeep liberty 40,000 miles and now my 4 wheel drive ... A: Elizabeth, This is a function of the transfer case and front differential. I would take it to a ... | ||
| saab 97x New Venture 126 transfer case | 12/16/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: 1) is there any to install an override switch to feed power to the transfer case encoder motor to ... A: Casey, I'm not familiar with that transfer case, but you can contact Advance Adapters to see what ... | ||
| Chevy 4 x 4 | 12/14/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Our 1989 Chevy runs fine in 2 wheel drive but when we put it in 4 wheel drive it wants to pull you ... A: Kevin, First of all, I hope you aren't putting it in 4-wheel drive on a hard or paved surface. ... | ||
| 98 Toyota 4-Runner | 12/12/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Carl, I hope you can help me. My 4 wheel drive will not engage when you press the button on the ... A: Rich, This is a tough one without actually being there to trace out the wiring. It could be ... | ||
| 98 Blazer 4x4 issue | 12/12/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I just changed my transfer case motor for my 4x4 and everything seemed to be working fine. It ... A: Jamie, If I'm not mistaken, you have a vacuum actuator on your front differential. You may have a ... | ||
| Lifted 2006 Chevy Silverado and ABS | 12/11/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Should the ABS system be working in a suspension lifted truck? My warning light stays on, but the ... A: Tim, I would take the tuck to a brake shop that is familiar with 4x4's. This doesn't sound right ... | ||
| 4x4 wheel drive chevy | 10/6/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: 4x4 wheel drive wont engage A: Keith, Depending on what year and model you have, this could be caused by several things. Some of ... | ||
| body lifts | 10/4/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: OK i am 18 and just got a 2 door S10 Chevy blazer 4x4 4.3 liter engine and i want to buy a 3" body ... A: Mike, First of all, I don't recommend any body lifts, as they change the overall center of gravity ... | ||
| Car hesitates | 6/15/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: In the mornings when I go to work, I give the car (2000 Chevy Blazer 4wd) gas and it hesitates and ... A: John, Many possibilities. The first thing I would do is to run a good brand of fuel system cleaner ... | ||
| growling noise | 6/15/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: i have a 1997 ford explorer and lately i noticed a growling noise comming from the front i think.It ... A: Don, Several possibilities. Front wheel bearings, front axles, front differential low on oil/bad ... | ||
| 2002 oldsmobile bravada transfer case knock | 6/10/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: im not sure if this knock is coming from the tranny or the transfer case the noise seems to be ... A: Daril, As there should be no internal components moving in the transfer case unless the ... | ||
| clicking from front right wheel | 6/10/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with a Pro Comp lift (done at a reputable shop). I noticed a ... A: David, Whenever you install a lift, you can have bad driveline angles. The taller the lift, the ... | ||
| 4-wheel acutator and solenoid | 6/7/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: The ford repair experts are all "maxed out". I'm hoping you will be able to answer my question. I'm ... A: Mark, I would rate this repair at a 2. This is a fairly easy replacement. I would suggest that you ... | ||
| 1998 jeep grande cherokee front end grinding | 6/7/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I own a 1998 jeep grand cherokee laredo. After driving long distances the front end makes a grinding ... A: Tammy, I would suggest that you get a front end alignment and have the front bearings checked. It ... | ||
| installition of window motor | 6/4/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I need to install a window motor on my 2001 tahoe drivers side do i need to buy the regulator as ... A: Here are some basic instructions for replacement of the motor and window. If it is just the motor ... | ||
| 1996 ford explorer | 6/4/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: What causes my windows in my 1996 ford explorer to not roll up if my 4hi and 4lo lights are ... A: Amanda, Sounds like a cross wired connection, or a short in one of the electrical circuits. You ... | ||
| Cabin air filter for 2005 GMC Yukon | 6/2/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: Does the 2005 GMC Yukon have a cabin air filter, if it does where is it located and how do I ... A: Lonnie, Starting in 2003 the passenger compartment air filter is no longer available as a factory ... | ||
| ABS | 6/1/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: 97 Blazer, V6, power everything, 4 wheel drive, auto trans with overdrive. My ABS just started ... A: Kelin, Sounds like a bad ground, bad connection or a faulty sensor in the front brake system. You ... | ||
| TECHRON | 6/1/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: SHOULD I ADD TECHRON TO MY 2001 4 WHEEL DRIVE FORD EXCURSION A V10 AND WHY? A: Sandra, As with any chemical that is designed for a specific purpose, it will not harm anything. ... | ||
| need help | 4/4/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: 1998 jeep grand cherokee laredo... v8 5.2L having issues with shifting...it stutters alot and pauses ... A: Ken, The first thing I would do, is to change the fluid and filter in the transmission. There are ... | ||
| shifting problems | 4/3/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5 speed manual trans. The tag says its a nv4500. Sometimes it ... A: Ron, Believe it or not, I have the same tranny in my 94 Wrangler with a stock 4 cylinder. This is ... | ||
| 2003 GMC 2500 HD 4wd | 2/2/2010 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: 4wd will not engage. replace actuator today A: Wes, I am not that familiar with this model. From what I understand, there are a couple of issues ... | ||
| 2001 ford f150 4x4 rear drive shaft yoke | 12/18/2009 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2001 f150 xlt 5.4L extended cab off road 4x4. I recently was changing out two of my ... A: Brad, That's some drive shaft if you were quoted $1,600. I would contact some local drive line ... | ||
| 4-wheel drive wont engage | 12/18/2009 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have an 1986 Jeep Cherokee the four wheel drive will not engage, and honestly has me stumped, it ... A: Tim, First thing to check is the vacuum motor on the axle. These are notorious for plugging up, ... | ||
| tires | 12/17/2009 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee sport 4x4 . I currently have 225 75-R15 tires, and was wondering if I ... A: Leah, You should be able to. Sometimes this depends on how good your suspension is. If it is ... | ||
| torsion bars | 12/16/2009 | Carl Brandt |
| Q: i own a1994 gmc sierra fullsize pick up 4x4 350ci automatic the truck rides real rough.i was told ... A: Rich, This is true. If you drop the front end a little, it will allow the suspension to flex a ... | ||
| 04 f-250 turn signal | 12/7/2009 | Adam Kinion |
| Q: i do not have any reverse lights...and no turn signals my brake lights went out also...but i changed ... A: I would say that you need to take a test light to the back of your truck and see if you have juice ... | ||
| 1995 jeep wrangler | 12/7/2009 | Adam Kinion |
| Q: Is it possible to ride around in 4 wh dr without knowing it? The light has never worked that is ... A: Well if it was in 4x4 i am sure that you would be well aware of it being engaged if you turn with it ... | ||
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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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