Switching Between Drive Modes Question

[LDHunter]

I'm a newbie so please go easy on me. I took my new 2025 Ranger Raptor for it's first dirt exposure yesterday and was amazed at how well it performed and I've owned several 4wd trucks over the last 50 years (yes I'm old).

So my problem was this. When I tried to switch into "4L" mode with the round mode selector on the console (see pic below) every mode worked but the 4L button would flash for a few seconds like the other ones when it was switching but the 4L button would quit flashing after a few seconds and it would return to the previous mode I had selected. I tried everything I could think of and finally gave up.

What am I doing wrong?

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[AlpineBike]

I'm a newbie so please go easy on me. I took my new 2025 Ranger Raptor for it's first dirt exposure yesterday and was amazed at how well it performed and I've owned several 4wd trucks over the last 50 years (yes I'm old).

So my problem was this. When I tried to switch into "4L" mode with the round mode selector on the console (see pic below) every mode worked but the 4L button would flash for a few seconds like the other ones when it was switching but the 4L button would quit flashing after a few seconds and it would return to the previous mode I had selected. I tried everything I could think of and finally gave up.

What am I doing wrong?

Please read your owners manual.
It’s built into your dash with step by step instructions on how to engage 4L.
You can literally search it!

 

[jburl2]

I'm a newbie so please go easy on me. I took my new 2025 Ranger Raptor for it's first dirt exposure yesterday and was amazed at how well it performed and I've owned several 4wd trucks over the last 50 years (yes I'm old).

So my problem was this. When I tried to switch into "4L" mode with the round mode selector on the console (see pic below) every mode worked but the 4L button would flash for a few seconds like the other ones when it was switching but the 4L button would quit flashing after a few seconds and it would return to the previous mode I had selected. I tried everything I could think of and finally gave up.

What am I doing wrong?

You will need to put it in neutral to engage.

 

[RapRanger21]

I'm a newbie so please go easy on me. I took my new 2025 Ranger Raptor for it's first dirt exposure yesterday and was amazed at how well it performed and I've owned several 4wd trucks over the last 50 years (yes I'm old).

So my problem was this. When I tried to switch into "4L" mode with the round mode selector on the console (see pic below) every mode worked but the 4L button would flash for a few seconds like the other ones when it was switching but the 4L button would quit flashing after a few seconds and it would return to the previous mode I had selected. I tried everything I could think of and finally gave up.

What am I doing wrong?

For me, it's good that I went to the Ford performance event driving theirs with their instructors out in Utah USA, they pretty much let you do each and every setting at least for a little bit. Actually the truck we were in, went into a fail mode for a little bit and we had to get out of the driver seat and let one of them play with it a little bit. They managed to get it back. But it does have me nervous on my personal RR. Fortunately, unfortunately. Nowhere close by to really do the high speed stuff, and I probably a wimp about wrecking it anyway. Sincerely, former driver's ed instructor, track road courses. Have fun!

 

[LDHunter]

OK... Thanks for the replies but I DID try putting it in neutral several times and park as well. It still wouldn't go into 4L.

Also thanks for the suggestion that I could look in the owner's manual but I already did and didn't find what I needed.

I guess I'll keep on struggling with it.

 

[LDHunter]

I'm wondering if there is a sequence issue here. In other words maybe I should have driven it for a bit again and then stopped and put it in neutral and pressed the 4L button on the "Drive Modes" round circular switch cluster as pictured in my original message?

I DID wait until the 4L button quit flashing before doing anything else.

This is confusing to me. I just read every reference to 4L in the PDF owner's manual for the 2024 RR and wonder if it could be different in the 2025 manual but I think that's a pretty slim possibility.

 

[jburl2]

You will need to put it in neutral to engage.

Think you may need to put in neutral first, then press the button

How to Use 4WD
The 4WD control is on the instrument panel. To select a 4WD mode:

1. If selecting 4L, place the transmission in Neutral.
2. Press the desired 4WD control button on the 4WD control switch.
3. The cluster screen will display the selected mode and a message that a shift is in progress.
4. While shifts are in progress, the lights on the 4WD control switch will flash and messages in the cluster display will indicate that a shift is in progress. You may hear some noise as the system shifts or engages. This is normal.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Ive had issues with an ESOF 4runner going into low. Sometimes I had to rock it a bit (ie move a tiny bit) to get it to go into 4L. Other than that, it seems youre doing everytjing right. Putting it Neutral, not moving (foot on brake), thats what works for this Ranger. If youre on a straight quiet road I would try pulling over and trying it again, possibly. Just no turning on pavement. I miss the old manual 4wd where you can just stab it into 4L

 

[LDHunter]

Ive had issues with an ESOF 4runner going into low. Sometimes I had to rock it a bit (ie move a tiny bit) to get it to go into 4L. Other than that, it seems youre doing everytjing right. Putting it Neutral, not moving (foot on brake), thats what works for this Ranger. If youre on a straight quiet road I would try pulling over and trying it again, possibly. Just no turning on pavement. I miss the old manual 4wd where you can just stab it into 4L

Yeah.... I had a 2002 Tacoma that I bought new in Feb of 2002 and sold a couple of weeks ago, and every single time I shifted between 2WD, 4H and 4L it went in with no arguments...

I know this is a far better and more capable truck but technology can give you weird issues... I haven't tried it again since that day I had trouble but should have some time to do it tomorrow again.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Yeah.... I had a 2002 Tacoma that I bought new in Feb of 2002 and sold a couple of weeks ago, and every single time I shifted between 2WD, 4H and 4L it went in with no arguments...

I know this is a far better and more capable truck but technology can give you weird issues... I haven't tried it again since that day I had trouble but should have some time to do it tomorrow again.

Yeah, I dont know haha. My Explorer hasnt given me any hard time about going into 4L, neither has the Ranger. But maybe its like that 4r, dunno haha.

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