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Originally Posted by molex
Thanks, all, that answers my questions. Basically, it sounds like:
#1. Engage 4wd for a while every few months at a minimum, preferably every month.
#2. Dry road in 4-hi is o.k., but not preferable, and only go in a straight line if possible.
#3. Do not make sharp turns in 4wd, especially on dry surfaces.
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Actually, the only going in a straight line is not an option in number 2. ONLY go in a straight line.
If you found that you were on a hard surface and bound up the gears enough that they won't disengage, You can try dropping it into neutral or just back up 2 to 10 feet. That will almost always release. If it doesn't. Back up another 5 feet while turning the front wheels even tighter into the turn or just keep going until it releases. The first step should solve it though. Depending on exactly what you did you might even need to swing the wheels the other way [slightly] while backing.
You can always lock out 4wd on the straight street in front of your house if you don't turn and only do it for 50 feet or so and then unlock go another 25 feet and lock up again. But don't do this if your front and rear tires have worn differently (so they are different diameters) or if any of your right/left combinations are worn differently - again causes slightly different diameters that will cause binding unless one of the wheels can spin some.
If your tires are not balanced in diameter (remember you can wear off close to an inch or more in diameter with normal wear) you should only really engage on soft or loose surfaces.
Alan