While moving along in low ratio, no doubt in either first or second gear, simply place your hand on the transfer lever with a very slight pressure back towards you into neutral. At the appropriate moment come off the throttle and double declutch by pressing down on the clutch once as you bring the transfer lever into neutral, letting the clutch out momentarily. Then, while depressing the clutch for the second time, bring the lever back into high ratio before letting the clutch off for the last time. Ensure that your engine speed is reduced as you continue on in high ratio and that your centre diff lock clears also just prior to reaching the hard surface if turning one way or another.

Sounds complicated, but not really in practice. Try it several times while on the level, with the front wheels straight ahead. Ultimately you will master this with no more than a slight 'clonk' coming from the transfer case. I prefer to bring the vehicle to rest before changing back into high ratio as in the case of engaging low, but of course this is not always possible.

On part-time transmission Land Rovers, very carefully push the transfer lever from the low ratio position through neutral into high, double de-clutching between both movements allowing the engine revs to drop off.

Using high ratio four-wheel drive

There are occasions when you might decide to use high ratio four-wheel drive apart from when driving in snow and icy conditions. I suggest, however, that you only use high ratio off-road when conditions allow, for example, on easygoing level slippery tracks with few undulations in the surface. You have to remember that, when travelling along tracks, you have very little engine braking to slow you down should you come across an obstacle such as a washed-out hole. Remember also that, when driving in high ratio, you could be travelling a shade too fast.

However, if the ground conditions allow and you feel happier to use high ratio, you will of course be using less fuel. Remember to engage the centre diff lock on permanently-driven vehicles if appropriate, disengaging just before turning onto tarmac roads, or drier, harder ground.

On part-time transmission Land Rovers, simply engage high ratio four-wheel drive by pushing the spring loaded lever with the yellow knob down firmly.

When coming back onto a hard surface, you must stop, and disengage four-wheel drive low ratio by pulling the low ratio lever with the red knob back towards you, which allows the spring loaded yellow knob to pop back upwards. Then push the low ratio lever back forward again to give two-wheel drive high ratio.

Index [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006