Is there away to test the 4-WD unit on my truck without going into the hills, I have a 1990 Chevy Cheyenne?

Question

What if I put it on jack stands, will the front tires spin when engaged like the back tires do in regular gear?

Answer 1

just put it in....i tested mine at walmart on the paking lot

Answer 2

you can put it in 4wd on the asphalt too.. just dont do any tight turns.. take a gallon of water with you and pour a bit in front of each tire .. one little bump on the throttle will leave slip marks on all four if your dead flat on the ground.

Answer 3

He have all good answers the jack stands will work, but it isn't recommended unless you have a very good set of stands that will not move while the truck is in gear.  If it is running on the stands the vibrations may cause the truck to fall off and kid someone near by, and of course you that if it is in 4wd both back and front tire will be spinning at the same time.

Be careful and do it on the dirt or you can find a big curb  and climb it in two wheel and see who the truck reacts then put it in 4 wheel and do it again. and that should tell you if it is working.

Good luck and take it easy.

Answer 4

Put it in 4 wheel drive and see if it works. You don't need hills to see if it is working. You can always find some mud.

Answer 5

  You can test it by starting out on an area of loose gravel.Then look to see if the front wheels left tracks where they accelerated from.    

Answer 6

Simple... Place in 4wd and wait a few seconds for the front axle to engage then slowly make a turn while in a dirt lot. The drive train will bind during the turn and will cause a tire to slip or spin (usually a rear tire because of less weight). Then you can look at the tracks if you don't feel the truck bind.

You could do it on pavement as well. It will only break something if it was going to break anyways!!! If it snaps a u-joint, then that u-joint was shot so you did yourself a favor by busting it in town instead of stranding yourself in the boonies. Any vehicle in good condition can handle the stress of being locked in 4wd and turned on dry pavement.

Answer 7

get on any loose soil or sand shift into 4wd ahd have a friend look to see if both front and rear wheels are powered