Chevrolet Repair: 91 Chevy Blazer 4x4, chevy blazer, dry dirt

Question
Should all four tires spin when i peel out or is my 4x4 not working, the light shows that its working and it makes no grinding noises going in or out of four wheel high. How can I test to see if it works without sinking it in a hole?

Answer
Hi FAB,

It is a misnomer that when you have 4x4, that all four wheels turn.  There are very few that actually do.  I believe the K-5 Blazer from the '70's and '80's did.  Most trucks have one wheel per axle that turns.  These wheels are usually kiddie Korner, of eachother.  Then the other two wheels will work in a chipping action.  Sometimes these drive wheels switch sides, depending on traction.  

Dodge pickups actually have one wheel in the rear and one in the front that turn.  Then the chipping wheel is on the front, and the rear other wheel does nothing.  If the rear drive wheel gets stuck, the other rear wheel will not help.


Take your truck to a dry dirt road, and try peeling out.  Or try it in the snow where the traction is bad.

C J S