Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Could someone please tell me if I have done any damage to my car if I drove it in high four wheel mode ( wheels were not locked ) on normal road surface. I went for a drive on Saturday night but I think I forgot to take it out of 4 wheel drive gear as the next morning when I went to take off I noticed the 4 wheel drive light on. I only drove about 5 k's but would this cause any damage? Also I'm looking to buy an electric winch. Won't be doing too much extreme workouts but just want one for peace of mind as we like to just take off and go out on our own. Would love a winch bullbar fitted with the winch but that's outa the budget. What would be a good low cost winch ( please...I'm not a supergirl, so I'm not looking for a hand winch) Would you recommend a portable electric winch??? Not looking for a monster winch either, I own a Suzuki!!

No you shouldn't have done any damage.

buy having the transfer case engaged means that the drive shaft is spining, which spins the diff gears.. But with the hubs unlocked thats as far as it goes. So the only thing happening is your using more fuel and putti9ng more wear on the diff then if you had it in two wheel drive. Nothing really to worry about.

piglet wrote: Could someone please tell me if I have done any damage to my car if I drove it in high four wheel mode ( wheels were not locked ) on normal road surface. I went for a drive on Saturday night but I think I forgot to take it out of 4 wheel drive gear as the next morning when I went to take off I noticed the 4 wheel drive light on. I only drove about 5 k's but would this cause any damage? Also I'm looking to buy an electric winch. Won't be doing too much extreme workouts but just want one for peace of mind as we like to just take off and go out on our own. Would love a winch bullbar fitted with the winch but that's outa the budget. What would be a good low cost winch ( please...I'm not a supergirl, so I'm not looking for a hand winch) Would you recommend a portable electric winch??? Not looking for a monster winch either, I own a Suzuki!!

If the hubs werent locked you have not caused anything worse than slightly higher fuel consumption ...

Providing you can make up a bracket to bolt on to the chassis to mount the winch there isnt any real easy way to do it......hence why most people run a winch bar (all the work is done and its more practical). Someone asked me the same question the other day (dont ask me why? im no expert) and asked if i knew of any cheap winches for zuk's. Ive seen some cheap ones sold by repco for about $700 with a 3 year warranty which i thought was really good and looking at the specs has enough power to pull out a zuk. The thing is im very hesitant in buying cheap things like that......mainly because when i really need to rely on it thats when it will fail. 3 year warranty is great.......but not if your stranded in the bush with a busted winch.
Also your charging/battery system will need to be improved too to handle the winch.
Personally pay the bit more and get the better product instead of doing a budget job.
Eff

Doesn't hurt to turn the front diff occassionally, stops em rusting up...

Can run in 4 high no hubs or 2h and hubs in...

Winch... no experience so no advice, still contemplating the need..

Spock