May sound like a stupid ? But....

What does 4 low do that 4 high doesn't? Other then speed.
Does 4 low offer what kind of advantages?

Nope, just lower gear ratio, I plow snow in low range, in my mind it’s easier on the auto trans.

4 low is geared lower for more power/traction without spinning.

My little mini truck will haul a lot of firewood but fully loaded it pulls in low because high would burn out the clutch quickly.

4 low and a manual tranny is great for hauling hay. Just put in 4 low and leave the window rolled down or put a 4-8 year old in to steer then you can walk alongside and stack the trailer.

4 Low is good for going over very rough ground. You can creep over stuff. Easier on suspension. Lots of torque.

Not all 4WD vehicles had/have low range. The old International Scouts had low range but the newer Scout 2s did not.

But if going through snow / mud, what is the benefit?

None really that I can think of. I wouldn't want to put one in low range in snow. Would be harder to feel the road and you sure don't need it for pulling power on ice/snow.

Someone said they used low range to plow snow. I can see that, you need power for that.

4 low blocks anti spin mode out in both my 15' Chevy pu.
And also in 17' Jeep that I got with out hitting the traction control button.

(Super crawl speed)

I plow in low range also. In my simple mind I think there is more fluid moving in the transmission at a given speed vs. using high range. I would be interested in hearing facts for or against this from those who are in the know.
Another thing I like is less usage of the brakes as I near the push pile. When backing up I bump it into neutral after the truck has slowed a bit, from the gearing, then it’s just a little brake peddle to get it stopped. It does seem to shift a bit harder, not sure if that is a terrible thing, when at a full stop.

… 4 low is for after you’ve got stuck in 4 high … come along while in 4 low 1st gear after that

… you ain’t been in many binds sound like

low is to slow crawl and pull

like first gear on a tractor

I use 4 low for pulling stuff like others said. I've skidded trees and sheds and used it pull out a lot of stuck trucks, those are the main things I use it for anyway. I have also pulled stumps, moved big rocks and pulled trees as they are being sawed down so they fall in a safe direction.

If you're trying to back a load on a trailer with a manual transmission drop it into low and it will save you a clutch.

Nope not even once.

This^^^^ When you’re by yourself a long ways back in, your sphincter is as tight as Fort Knox and you’re in the 3rd stage, you completely understand you are stuck!!!!

Yep

… wasn’t aimed at you Mad-Mike … directed towards the ol boy that made this post to ask what 4 low was for lol

… but I imagine you knew that

4-wheel high = hold my sippy cup
4-wheel low = hold my beer

my 98 ranger didnt have a lot of torque in 4 hi. those old willys, the first 4wd readily available after ww2 only had a 4 cylinder engine. you needed 4 low for the torque. those low gears are still handy with a manual transmission, manual is nice for steep hills. i much prefer a manual and the 4 low option for getting back in that rough stuff.