Was just playing with the compound low 4x4 button for the first time a couple of days ago. Seems you cannot get the truck into or out of compound low unless the truck is coasting in neutral at about 2-3 mph.


What the heck good does that do if you get stuck somewhere and can't get into compound low? Or if you find yourself heading up or down a very steep grade suddenly. Don't think I'd want to put it in neutral to try to shift....


Am I missing something here?

First of all, what is compound low?


Second, I'd recommend putting your truck in 4 wheel drive (high or low) before you really need it. Trust me, I know from experience.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

Every transfer case made that I know of you must be coasting to get a
smooth transfer into low. Now if you need 4low for towing
something downhill I'd have to guess your in a very dangerious
situation that you shouldn't be in with the braking and engine braking
capabilities these things have http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif and compound low is a first for me?

Compound low??? Mine goes into 4L if I put it into N or P while motionless.

compound low is 4low, and sometimes my truck needs to be coasting too, start off w/ the truck in 4hi and come to a complete stop, then put the truck in neutral and pushthe 4low button, the light should flash and you will hear a thump under the truck and the light will go on solid, you are now in 4low. if the truck doesnt engage right away let off on the brake a little bit and it should engage, sometimes they need to roll a bit to allow everything to get lined up. good luck -Jeff

Someone else posted not too long ago that it goes in & out of 4L
easier over time if used. I try to put mine in & out of 4L
each day just to break it in.

Yes, should go 4low without moving. I used the word "smooth", i've
always had a loud clunk and sometimes the truck would jerk if not
moving at least a little so always "try" to be moving at least a little
and thought the manual says to do this as well, can't remember tho.

I try to put mine in & out of 4L
each day just to break it in.





That will probably get you to visit the dealer sooner, use it when you need it. My .02 anyways.

I try to put mine in & out of 4L
each day just to break it in.





That will probably get you to visit the dealer sooner, use it when you need it. My .02 anyways.






No offense but I disagree. I've only done it for a few weeks as a
break-in. If that transfer case can't take going in / out of 4L
that much then GM has a bigger problem than just injectors.

compound low is 4low, and sometimes my truck needs to be coasting too, start off w/ the truck in 4hi and come to a complete stop, then put the truck in neutral and pushthe 4low button, the light should flash and you will hear a thump under the truck and the light will go on solid, you are now in 4low. if the truck doesnt engage right away let off on the brake a little bit and it should engage, sometimes they need to roll a bit to allow everything to get lined up. good luck -Jeff


Thanks, Jeff. I'm going out to play with it now.

Compound low (also called granny) is an old term that meant 1st gear in the older truck transmissions where you didn't normally use 1st. I exercise 4 low every now and again when on the gravel roads. The first few times I needed it in the snow it didn't want the engage. Later! Frank http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Shifting in 4low is the same on my 04 as it was in my 93, being that you had to be stopped and in N or P. Only difference is now I do it by pushing a button. On my 93, I wired a switch in series with the front diff solenoid so that I could shift the xsfer case into low range w/o locking my fron diff. This was great for backing up a heavy trailer uphill in my driveway due to no binding the front steering while in 4wd. Not needed as much with my dmax, obviously a little more grunt than the old 5.7 TBI motor!!! Otherwise known as a "gutless pig".

I try to put mine in & out of 4L
each day just to break it in.





That will probably get you to visit the dealer sooner, use it when you need it. My .02 anyways.






No offense but I disagree. I've only done it for a few weeks as a
break-in. If that transfer case can't take going in / out of 4L
that much then GM has a bigger problem than just injectors.





I guess it just sounded as tho you done it every day, not just for a week or so but all the time. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif

I try to put mine in & out of 4L
each day just to break it in.





That will probably get you to visit the dealer sooner, use it when you need it. My .02 anyways.






No offense but I disagree. I've only done it for a few weeks as a
break-in. If that transfer case can't take going in / out of 4L
that much then GM has a bigger problem than just injectors.





I guess it just sounded as tho you done it every day, not just for a week or so but all the time. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif





Ahhh......I see your point now!