I'm new! Pulled up bushes with my Trailblazer.

3757 Views 19 Replies 10 Participants Last post by xhondastyle07x, Jul 13, 2009

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2009

Good morning!

I'm new - just joined a few minutes ago.

I have a 2002 Trailblazer-LT.

I have never used it for towing/pulling and only have ever used the 4-high in the snow.

Yesterday I got the brilliant idea to pull up some 1960s looking shrubs from my backyard. I did some quick research online before I started and everything said to put the truck in 4-low.

That is what I did and all went well... Until I couldn't get it to come out of 4-low. I just got to work and found online that the car must be in neutral to come out of 4-low. It worked! But, my question is that I drove to work (20 miles) going 70mph in 4-low. Is this bad for my car? I am just concerned that I really effed something up. The drive in 4-low was ROUGH, so I hope I didn't do any damage.

Also, does anyone have any experience pulling up bushes/shrubs/trees? This were pretty rooted and took quite a bit of work. Is this bad for the car? I have three left that I need to do... Also, can someone please confirm that this type of job should be done in 4-low?

Thank you sooo much in advance!
Lauren :thx

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

dirtychevymama

· #2 · Jul 13, 2009

You got em out right? Then you musta done something good! LOL...& welcome!

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 13, 2009

dirtychevymama said:
You got em out right? Then you musta done something good! LOL...& welcome!

Yes, I got them up!! I was glad about that! Just making sure it's not hurting my car and that driving 70 in 4-low didn't mess up anything?

CHIEF BIG RIDGE

· #4 · Jul 13, 2009

I dont think it should, but I wouldn't do it again.

Welcome to the site.

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 13, 2009

CHIEF BIG RIDGE said:
I dont think it should, but I wouldn't do it again.

Welcome to the site.

Driving 70mph in 4-low or using my car to pull up bushes?? hehe

I only have three bushes left, I really want them gone! But, if you think it's a bad idea, I'll try something else.

bartonmd

· #6 · Jul 13, 2009

We have a 2.7:1 low range, IIRC... If you turn 2000rpm at 70, normally, you were turning ~5400rpm, correct?

In short, it's really hard on the drivetrain components to be in any kind of 4WD (4HI or 4LO) on dry pavement, and my old S-10 said you weren't supposed to run 4LO over 40mph, IIRC...

If it's still together, and not grenaded, you're probably alright... Just don't do it again... This could very well have been a classic case of something being slightly wrong, then driven on, which grenaded the whole T-case. I don't even know that my mom would do that...

How on earth did you know to shift into neutral to get it INTO 4LO, but not know to shift it into neutral to shift out of 4LO???

Mike

DARKASS04EXT

· #7 · Jul 13, 2009

I dont know too much about the 4x4 system, but i believe 4lo is for very slow speeds. As far as pulling the bushes i dont think there is an issue. Now driving 70mph for 20min in 4lo, that could be an issue i would think. Like i said im not TOO knowledgable with 4lo/hi but i thought 4lo was strictly for extremely low speed, 4hi would be for driving on slippery surfaces. i dont think your supposed to really even drive on dry concrete in 4wheel anything.

maybe want to change your title to something like "did i cause damage to 4x4 doing this" and you may have more knowledgeble people chim in. Good luck.

ps- if its running good still i doubt you did anything, just make sure its out of 4lo when going to drive.

Envoyguy05

· #8 · Jul 13, 2009

bartonmd said:
How on earth did you know to shift into neutral to get it INTO 4LO, but not know to shift it into neutral to shift out of 4LO???

Mike

:nono: :bonk:

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 13, 2009

bartonmd said:
We have a 2.7:1 low range, IIRC... If you turn 2000rpm at 70, normally, you were turning ~5400rpm, correct?

In short, it's really hard on the drivetrain components to be in any kind of 4WD (4HI or 4LO) on dry pavement, and my old S-10 said you weren't supposed to run 4LO over 40mph, IIRC...

If it's still together, and not grenaded, you're probably alright... Just don't do it again... This could very well have been a classic case of something being slightly wrong, then driven on, which grenaded the whole T-case. I don't even know that my mom would do that...

How on earth did you know to shift into neutral to get it INTO 4LO, but not know to shift it into neutral to shift out of 4LO???

Mike

I hope I didn't ruin anything. Also, what is your opinion on using the Trailblazer for pulling up bushes?

Weird thing - it doesn't have to be in neutral to shift into 4-low (did it just like I shift into 4-high)... I don't get it. :weird:

CHIEF BIG RIDGE

· #10 · Jul 13, 2009

You're perfectly fine pulling up bushes. I did it a few years ago.
So no problem there.:thumbsup:

trout

· #11 · Jul 13, 2009

you should never use a part-time 4wd system on dry pavement, even the A4WD feature should be avoided then.

If you're still driving you probably didn't break anything, but you had to have stressed a lot of drive line components. Basically any bumps you hit or turns you made would cause the system to bind. I would check for play in the drive shafts u-joints/yokes, not sure what the weak link in our system is, but chances are you only speeded up the time you'll need to replace it.

Plus I'd do an oil change now, I couldn't imagine how hard the engine must have been screaming at 70mph in 4-low, red line much? :crazy: On an old truck I had lost the high range in the transfer case, disconnected the front drive shaft but that was still a scary ride, couldn't go faster than 40mph without starting to overheat.

Pulling the bushes is fine as long as you're doing it properly. Slow and steady, don't tug on the line, put it in 4-low, put it in 1st, and slowly pull them out.

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bartonmd

· #12 · Jul 13, 2009

ohicouldscream said:
I hope I didn't ruin anything. Also, what is your opinion on using the Trailblazer for pulling up bushes?

Weird thing - it doesn't have to be in neutral to shift into 4-low (did it just like I shift into 4-high)... I don't get it. :weird:

I use the TB to pull up bushes, myself... Not a problem at all, as long as you don't get too crazy with it... Always use a chain or non-stretching "tow" strap. get 3-4' of slack, then "bump" against a tight chain... Breaks the roots easier than just pulling... I actually pulled out a small tree stump like this with my Caprice... bump it, and it isn't as hard on the drivetrain as just "pulling".

It should have to be... You can pull it off if you're going ~3-4mph at idle, and the shaft speeds line up (I do this sometimes in my S-10), but it shouldn't let you do it...

Mike

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 13, 2009

CHIEF BIG RIDGE said:
You're perfectly fine pulling up bushes. I did it a few years ago.
So no problem there.:thumbsup:

OOOOOOhhhhh awesome - thanks!!

bartonmd

· #14 · Jul 13, 2009

trout said:
Plus I'd do an oil change now, I couldn't imagine how hard the engine must have been screaming at 70mph in 4-low, red line much? :crazy: On an old truck I had lost the high range in the transfer case, disconnected the front drive shaft but that was still a scary ride, couldn't go faster than 40mph without starting to overheat.

Nah... the oil life monitor will compensate for it, and tell him to change the oil somewhat sooner that it would have, to begin with... This is also a DOHC, 4-valve/cyl engine... They're MADE to spin... I'm not concerned about the engine at all...

Mike

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 13, 2009

bartonmd said:
I use the TB to pull up bushes, myself... Not a problem at all, as long as you don't get too crazy with it... Always use a chain or non-stretching "tow" strap. get 3-4' of slack, then "bump" against a tight chain... Breaks the roots easier than just pulling... I actually pulled out a small tree stump like this with my Caprice... bump it, and it isn't as hard on the drivetrain as just "pulling".

It should have to be... You can pull it off if you're going ~3-4mph at idle, and the shaft speeds line up (I do this sometimes in my S-10), but it shouldn't let you do it...

Mike

Thank you so much for your tips. That is what we were doing - we were "breaking" up the roots bit-by-bit until we could "pull" it out with the car.

I just cannot believe that I drove 70mph for 20 minutes with it in 4-low :ugh:

ohicouldscream

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 13, 2009

DARKASS04EXT said:
I dont know too much about the 4x4 system, but i believe 4lo is for very slow speeds. As far as pulling the bushes i dont think there is an issue. Now driving 70mph for 20min in 4lo, that could be an issue i would think. Like i said im not TOO knowledgable with 4lo/hi but i thought 4lo was strictly for extremely low speed, 4hi would be for driving on slippery surfaces. i dont think your supposed to really even drive on dry concrete in 4wheel anything.

maybe want to change your title to something like "did i cause damage to 4x4 doing this" and you may have more knowledgeble people chim in. Good luck.

ps- if its running good still i doubt you did anything, just make sure its out of 4lo when going to drive.

Thank you so much - I just reposted to another board and changed the title. Thanks again!

bartonmd

· #17 · Jul 13, 2009

ohicouldscream said:
Thank you so much - I just reposted to another board and changed the title. Thanks again!

Oh, don't do that! Just go back into your first post, do a full edit, and change the title... If that doesn't work, just PM a mod, and have them change your title... The mods, then, could move this thread over there! No sense in having the same conversation twice...

Mike

MAAACKUS

· #18 · Jul 13, 2009

ohicouldscream said:
Good morning!

I'm new - just joined a few minutes ago.

I have a 2002 Trailblazer-LT.

I have never used it for towing/pulling and only have ever used the 4-high in the snow.

Yesterday I got the brilliant idea to pull up some 1960s looking shrubs from my backyard. I did some quick research online before I started and everything said to put the truck in 4-low.

That is what I did and all went well... Until I couldn't get it to come out of 4-low. I just got to work and found online that the car must be in neutral to come out of 4-low. It worked! But, my question is that I drove to work (20 miles) going 70mph in 4-low. Is this bad for my car? I am just concerned that I really effed something up. The drive in 4-low was ROUGH, so I hope I didn't do any damage.

Also, does anyone have any experience pulling up bushes/shrubs/trees? This were pretty rooted and took quite a bit of work. Is this bad for the car? I have three left that I need to do... Also, can someone please confirm that this type of job should be done in 4-low?

Thank you sooo much in advance!
Lauren :thx

I haven't for wheeled with my Envoy but have spent alot of time building and four wheeling Jeeps. There isn't a better feeling than wheeling then climbing out of a upside down Cherokee with 40"' tires. Specially when you winch back right side up and drive it 45 miles back home with no windshield and the back half of the roof colapsed in. Thank God for 5 point harnesses!
But back to your question you may have done some damage going those speeds on pavement. Basic rule of thumb I usually fallow with the Transfer case in my Voy
2HI - normal every day driving
4AWD - I use this in real bad rain/hail when its colecting on the highway or light snow when the roads are slick. You should have no problem driving normally in this gear as alot of cars and high end SUVs have only AWD and no 2 wd but 2wd usually will give you a little better MPGs than AWD will
4HI - I use this in the Snow, I have no problem doing the posted limit (or maybe 5 or 10 or more MPH) and still feel in control even when theirs a few inches of fresh powder on the highway. Hell this is New England if you're gonna go 30 cause of the snow then move!
4LO - This should only be used when absolutly neccessary. Like heavy snow, mud, loose dirt/sand. Any time your tires are not able to keep good traction in 4 HI because of the ground conditions. My driveway is steep and if there is an Inch of snow I'll spin my tires in 4hi and slide down it, so I need 4 Lo to get up it. 4LO should only be used at Low speeds, basically a crawl.

Now pulling up shrubs - This can be done but I'd be careful. You don't want to jerk it out of the ground. So don't hook your rope or chain around the plant the slam on the gas. Slowly back up and get tension on the rope/chain and slowly pull. Also cut as much of the roots as posible to lighten the resistance.

The problem with driving at high speeds or on pavement with 4LO is that in 4Lo your transmision and, transfer case and engine are working alot more than it would be in 2wd/4awd. Not sure of the gear ration in the trailblazer/envoy T-case but i would asume you would be redlineing (if the tach had a redline) at highway speeds

I started typing this 1.5 hrs ago and just realised i didn't hit submit so the question might of been answered already. Sorry if I repeated anyones answer

Hope this Helps

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gmac310

· #19 · Jul 13, 2009

I'd like to know how it got into 4lo without being in neutral!!:weird:

xhondastyle07x

· #20 · Jul 13, 2009

Ive pulled bushes and small trees out with my tb and tahoe. It saves a lot of time and the vehicle never strains. Keeps me from gettin sweaty and digging it out... and can even have the a/c on. Driving 4lo at speeds like that is def. not good, i would just make sure to not do that again. welcome

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