4wd positions? Help

[classicchevy]

I just got a '79 blazer and I need help as to how and when to change the full time 4wd lever, I don't have the owners manual. It is fulltime 4wd but what is the diff between hi lock and hi ? and the same for lo and low loc? thanks in advance. I am also looking for a set of stock rims that will fit a 79 blazer.

[mike reeh]

as you may know you cannot drive conventional 4x4s on pavement in 4WD.. the axles bind up. so to have a full-time 4x4 there is a differential in the transfer case that allows some slip between the front and rear driveshaft (same theory as the differential in an axle. without it you'd ruin tires and not be able to turn very easily)

so "hi" and "lo" are for pavement/hard-pack, every day driving. when you put the lever in LOC it removes the differential action, locking the front and rear driveshaft together and its just like a regular 4WD truck at this point. only for off-road conditions.

for what its worth lo-range is just a 2:1 gear reduction for bad terrain, more power, etc.

hope this helps..

mike

[classicchevy]

Thanks Mike this is a big help. Rick