Anyone care to touch on the subject at hand?
The only difference between 4hi OR 4hi-locked is that the transfer case locks; this is essentially the center-differential. You only want this "locked" situation when there can be slippage on the ground (mud, snow, sand...loose conditions).
You do not want to use this setting when on pavement. We've had a couple instances where some H2 owners forgot to switch out of 4hi-locked and drove on pavement long distances...only to fry their t-cases!
Enough said...but if you want more:
When a vehicle makes a turn, the outside wheel will turn more rotations then the inside wheel...this is the reason for a differential, it essentiall absorbs the difference in the axle. Much in the same way, when a vehicle turns the front axle will cover a different distance then the rear axle...and so the transfer case has a slippage device to account for this. This slippage device can make things sloppy offroad, and so we lucky Hummer owners can "lock" this center differential.....and so the transfer case is "locked"
Enough said....want more?
Try this: find a parking lot where there is dirt. do some tight circles and you can feel the vehicle easily turning. (roll down your windows to listen). NOW, go into 4hi-locked and make those same circles: you may sense/feel some hesitation and even hear the ground breaking as the slippage is no longer afforded.
Good quesiton!
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