Off-road experiences with single speed transfer case

Camo55 · January 9

Curious to see anyone’s experience with the single speed transfer case set up off road. I’ve searched the forum with not much success other than this subject turning into a debate…..

I get it, 4L goes back ages, yet other truck manufacturers sell trucks without locking differentials and any type of recovery hooks (without buying packages to accommodate) yet slap 4x4 all over the thing.

I have a 23 Elevation I just bought with this setup, and 20 years of truck ownership and off roading for hunting season I’ve never touched 4L once but ALWAYS made sure to have a locking rear differential and front recovery hooks, which GM is pretty good about. The G80 seems legit, and the little bit I’ve seen of Terrain Mode has had a response of “not real 4L but was impressive,” so I took the chance

Thanks ahead of time.

Mshawn · January 16

I do use 4low . I’ve used it in all my trucks. That being said, if your not pulling someone out that’s stuck or your not going through deeper mud / snow you will be fine. Most people will do fine with 4high. Most people will never need 4low. There is a great video on YouTube about when you should use 4low and the other ranges. If I was a buyer I would watch that clip before I buy to see if it’s something you can live without. I had the opportunity to drive a custom 4x4 for a week, and put that single stage transfer case to the test, this is why I wanted to test drive the custom 4x4. I can say I was impressed. There was no situation I put it in that it didn’t perform great. I even pulled my modded K5 blazer up a step hill in My pasture starting at the very bottom of the start of the hill where it would put the most stress on the system. Handled it without a struggle. It’s a great system. The engine was a 2.7 turbo in that custom. I put that K5 on a trailer and retested…. Not a problem, granted it would have been easier in 4w low but in 4 w high, it had no problem. Hope this helps.

Mshawn · January 16

I would not get a truck that didn’t have G80!

in any form 2wd or 4wd

Camo55 · January 17

23 hours ago, Mshawn said:

I would not get a truck that didn’t have G80!

in any form 2wd or 4wd

Thank you Mshawn for the replies, glad to hear you had a decent experience with that Custom, that’s pretty much the set up I have.

I was able to test mine a bit recently…..

We got slapped with a total of 12 inches of snow this past week, wet slippery crap. Decided to come to a complete stop on one of many hills to see how she handled in 4 auto. A LOT of “mechanical thinking” going on but no progress. Hit the 4H and walked up like nothing. Decided to backup and try Terrain Mode since I was there, same result, walked right up. Not thrilled that Terrain Mode uses the brake system to activate the G80, assume the pads may wear quick. I agree 4L is important don’t get me wrong, but budgets are budgets and these dang things aren’t cheap!!!

Mshawn · January 18

Ironically, I purchased a 2023 RST z71. I was looking at the custom 4x4. Then we got hit with a huge hail storm in the middle of June, it destroyed my truck and my commuter work car. 2004 Silverado and 2011 Chevy Cruze ( loved this little car) had 324,000 on her. 04 Silverado had 347,000 well got a great payout on them and with buying them back so that gave me a big chunk to put down on it. When I went to purchase the truck Custom 4x4 which will be the first new vehicle I’ve ever owned) the dealership had this RST and convinced me to drive it. When I drove it I was hooked. It had a 5.3 instead of the 2.7L .two stage transfer case, instead off single stage. The dealership which I know really well made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I love the updated interior so I went with it. I’m now considing a way to get the custom also. My step son needs a truck and I’m pushing him in that direction 2024 custom 4x4 2.7l. I can’t help it. I really loved that truck I drove for a week. Don’t get me wrong, I love the RST I just want both. They are a lot alike but totally different if that makes any since. I’m a tech, I train the other techs through out the state. I’m responsible for working with the software companies that the states uses to repair vehicles, gas diesel on off road. Gm has knocked it out of the ballpark with these trucks. The structural build of this 2.7 is incredible almost like Cummins block in the way the block is built to handle the pressure and temperature changes from dual volute turbo. There is a clear defined reason for everyone of these trim levels out there. That custom with the single trac transfer case is very capable of doing everything most people need in a truck. Hope this help

dgstarr63 · January 19

I live at the top of a steep hill. In very slick winter storm conditions the 4 lo is a life saver for holding the truck back when descending a steep grade.

Camo55 · January 20

Ok so to further my experience with the “single speed”

we continue to get hit with snow here in the Midwest…… 4hi has accomplished everything! 4 auto is legit, but in my opinion only while on the move, not for driving off road but for driving from point A to point B on ROADS. I haven’t had a chance to seriously “off road” the truck yet, meaning having it dig through serious ruts and mud. But to be honest, I really don’t see myself pushing it to that point. I have ATV’s to do the “crazy stuff” and can’t bring myself to send a $58k truck into the woods. I’ll let Polaris handle that. But I totally understand if those who have it do it……….

I do appreciate those who can share their experiences. It’s a piece of mind to know that it’s there if ya need it.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts……

Edited January 20 by Camo55

Mshawn · January 20

On 1/19/2024 at 11:57 AM, dgstarr63 said:

I live at the top of a steep hill. In very slick winter storm conditions the 4 lo is a life saver for holding the truck back when descending a steep grade.

I agree that is one of those time when it is useful.

Mshawn · January 20

Mine thought is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. But I’ve rarely use 4w low. By the way there is no way I’m taking this brand new 65 k truck off road to the woods anyway. I have a 84gmc Jimmy with a 6.2l diesel for that. 86 K10 or a Honda rancher.

TrueBlue · January 24

On 1/20/2024 at 3:42 PM, Mshawn said:

I agree that is one of those time when it is useful.

On 1/19/2024 at 9:57 AM, dgstarr63 said:

I live at the top of a steep hill. In very slick winter storm conditions the 4 lo is a life saver for holding the truck back when descending a steep grade.

Just out of curiosity, wouldn't 4H in L1 or L2 do the same thing?

asilverblazer · January 25

On 1/24/2024 at 9:29 AM, TrueBlue said:

Just out of curiosity, wouldn't 4H in L1 or L2 do the same thing?

Not as effectively (if not at all) - the low range in the transfer case significantly increases the mechanical advantage of the engine.

AJMBLAZER · January 26

On 1/25/2024 at 7:49 AM, asilverblazer said:

Not as effectively (if not at all) - the low range in the transfer case significantly increases the mechanical advantage of the engine.

This.

The low gears in the transmission don’t offer any gear reduction over what it has in regular 2wd.

TrueBlue · January 27

Right, but the tranny will slow you down if necessary, and even in 4H the gearing lowers wheel rpms.

So in messy situations where gravity is not working against you, 4H in L1 or L2 is much better than being in auto shift (D), and allowing the tranny to shift up when the wheels start spinning. Right?

AJMBLAZER · January 27

No. 4hi has no gearing reduction on GM vehicles.

In theory in that case yes L1 or L2 would have lower gearing than 3rd and up but nothing like the additional 2-3x lower gearing of the transfer case.

TrueBlue · January 27

I think we're saying the same thing, though I'm not articulating well. I know the 4H doesn't offer any gear reduction, as opposed to the 4L which does. I had two speed transfer cases on my '86? full size Jimmy and my '85? full size Blazer. So I'm familiar with what 4L can do for you. But, perhaps mistakenly I thought that having these single speed transfer cases in 4H with the tranny in 1 or 2 (and a light foot on the gas), would deliver something that approaches 4L, at least in on-road and light off-road application. Not equal certainly, but better than 4H with the tranny in auto mode, right?

Edited January 27 by TrueBlue