Best Way 2 Engage 4WD

[Von]

What is the best and safest way to engage 4wd?
I have a 94’ Suzuki Sidekick JLX 4x4 with a manual transmission. Should I be moving and in gear, stopped in gear, moving in neutral, stopped in neutral, or does it matter? Also if in gear what is the safest gear to be in to engage?

Thank You

[fixkick]

What is the best and safest way to engage 4wd?
I have a 94’ Suzuki Sidekick JLX 4x4 with a manual transmission. (what front hubs do you have)
Should I be moving and in gear, stopped in gear, moving in neutral, stopped in neutral, or does it matter?
Also if in gear what is the safest gear to be in to engage?(1st gear) slow), moving fast on snow ,ice and dirt, and you do this 4H or worse 4L shift you will loose control or skid. SLOW is best, dead slow.

Thank You

yes.. the ,users guide is poor here. (some is on this exact topic)

that gear is Non-synchromesh, back then.
so best is to shift, moving 1mph,  (or as slow as can go, to keep wear low on that 1 gear.)
shifted not moving can be impossible. as the dogs in the gear are not aligned all you do is bend the shifter rods.

Do not use 4wd on pavement of any kind unless covered in ice or snow, but offroad sure 4wd. this car is a Part time 4wd and not AWD of any kind. There is no center clutch nor center differential on this car.

1: lock the hubs,  if manuals  turn to lock. Autohubs autolock as soon as car moves front axles go LIVE (means under power)
2: move 1mph, (use the clutch as you do the main box)
3: shift from 2H to 4H or 4L

page 6-8 (chapter 6 page 8)
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[url=https://geo.pink/download/146]operator guide, 95

[Von]

This is good info. Thanks for the manual. I bought this rig used and did not have a manual. I looked at it and there is more info on how to buckle a seatbelt than how to engage 4wd properly. I will be using your method of being in gear with clutch in going 1mph any time I change into and out of 4H or 4L.

[fixkick]

This is good info. Thanks for the manual. I bought this rig used and did not have a manual. I looked at it and there is more info on how to buckle a seatbelt than how to engage 4wd properly. I will be using your method of being in gear with clutch in going 1mph any time I change into and out of 4H or 4L.

so true but a seat belt is only one way to operate.
the 4wd is very very complex. (for SURE safety)
#1 are the roads,  vast types,
#2 speed,  gears used,  2H /4wd Hi/lo  and lots more. with manual hubs and autolocking hubs,.  so many modes of usage.. but yes the manual stinks, here, for sure Japanese translated to English.  but try real jeeps with 5 or more different 4wd system..  my 2008 Wrangler shifts that same way Part time 4wd,  same weak gear. and all.

but your question is simple.  if you look at the actual gear in the box,  it is supper simple,  don't wreck the gear, using huge torque from engine to 4wd, and do it slow..


but some do drive it like they stole or have 5 spare free transfer cases  in the attic. (zero worry and only off road and do beat the hell out of it) YMMV,

see the arrow to cog here, 28 slams in to 29 and the dog teeth are wrecked all to easy, (NO Synchomesh cones here, at all it is a CRASH BOX ) to me this all I need to know to shift the box.)
good luck on the road and be safe.
PS,  

even more risk, 4HI to 4Low shifting. at #22 dogs. go super slow.
IF it had synchromesh gears,  the speeds match on no damage happen,s like shifting Main trans, from gears in 5sp. you can ever hear them speed up shifting in the 5sp box.
btw newer sidekick vitara has that new syncrho gear,  2004, IIRC. A whole better box.