Looking at some 03-05 250/350 V10 4X4 trucks. Many of these have the ESOF 4WD. I really like the manual 4WD in my F150 and not sure about the reliability of the ESOF. A buddy has an 06 150 and with 12K pampered miles, his ESOF stopped working. How do these ESOF systems hold up?

Thanks

 

I have the manual and wouldn't have it any other way.

Frank

 

I have been stranded by esof in 3 different trucks now all 1999 and newer, thats not counting the older models

MAnual t-case always...

 

I have ESOF and the hubs are AUTO and LOCK. Are the hubs the same on a NON-ESOF t-case? Can I still stay in the cab and shift in and out of 4wd and not have to go out and switch the hubs?

Thinking about this option again in a future SD.

 

If you want reliability,,go with the Manual shift transfere case and hubs,,when I was looking at SuperDuty's,,I would just pass-on-by, the trucks with the ESOF,,too much to go wrong with them Plain and Simple !!

The ESOF hubs with the auto feature have a vacum assist system that locks the hubs when you turn the ****,,,,thats if all is well with the system,,no vacum leaks, electric transfer case motor, is getting power, not stuck, shift **** is working,,,ahhh to many things to go bad.

Get the manual system,,backing your trailer up hill, in 2-wheel low,,(hubs in free) is just so easy on the truck and tranny,,I have used it countless time's !

MY 06' F-350 is the manual system,,my hubs stayed locked for the past 3 months,,just unlocked them last week,,all is Good,,,all is fine, manual wont let you down,,,ESOF,,probobly will at one time or another !

 

I have the manual locking hubs. The reason I ordered the truck without esof is because I heard there were problems over time with the sensors

 

My '07 has ESOF..the truck was on the lot and was exactly what i wanted...except for that. I bought it anyway, knowing the last truck I had with it ('01 250 V10) had problems with it. I wouldn't prefer it but I can live with it.

 

That sums it up perfectly!
I replaced the auto-hubs on my '94 Bronco at 50K and then replaced those with Warn manual hubs at 100K. My new Super Duty is manual T-case and hubs and I love it. I get 4WD when I need it.

 

So...you can get 3 variations of 4WD? Full ESOF, electric switch on the dash, no hubs to fool with, semi ESOF, manual Tcase, auto-manual vacuum assisted hubs and fully manual? Is this correct?

Thanks

 

I have, and like, ESOF. I've never had a problem and no one I know has had a problem with it.

The old "it's just another thing to go wrong" argument can apply to just about any innovation of a modern truck, or anything else, I guess.

Which ever you get, enjoy!

 

I believe the options are ESOF with auto/lock hubs or fully manual. Ford's website shows manual as standard and ESOF as optional.

 

Ya, thanks...I went to the ford site and figured it out *after* I posted...should follow my own rules and research first...ask questions later!

 

I have the ESOF and have always had manual t-cases prior. I am always waiting for my ESOF to fail, but it doesn't. If it does I'll just turn the hubs like the manual t-case guys, seems easy enough. Seems the ESOF is almost the same as the manual, if you want to turn the hubs yourself you can, and automatic if you don't. Everytime I put it in 4wheel drive though, I still expect it to fail.

 

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by m350
If you want reliability,,go with the Manual shift transfere case and hubs,,when I was looking at SuperDuty's,,I would just pass-on-by, the trucks with the ESOF,,too much to go wrong with them Plain and Simple !!

The ESOF hubs with the auto feature have a vacum assist system that locks the hubs when you turn the ****,,,,thats if all is well with the system,,no vacum leaks, electric transfer case motor, is getting power, not stuck, shift **** is working,,,ahhh to many things to go bad.

Get the manual system,,backing your trailer up hill, in 2-wheel low,,(hubs in free) is just so easy on the truck and tranny,,I have used it countless time's !

MY 06' F-350 is the manual system,,my hubs stayed locked for the past 3 months,,just unlocked them last week,,all is Good,,,all is fine, manual wont let you down,,,ESOF,,probobly will at one time or another !
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I'm with m350. Manual hubs, manual transfere case, manual 6-spd tranny, manual crank windows, everything manual for me. My F-350 is a working truck. I have another 'girl chaser' rig that is used just for that, not for work. Did you know chebby trucks are not avail with manual anything? I think they are totally out of the work truck market.

 

we have esof in our 2003 7.3 f-350 reg cab flatbed

everytime i get in the truck its a habit to cycle it through 4 high then 4 low right after i fire the truck up sitting still just to keep the motor from seizing, and every time its off of pavement i slap it in 4 high or low

I hate esof, especially since i have been stranded in a early 99 f250 (it was 3 months old at the time) a 94 explorer, 98 ranger, 2006 f-150 93 f-150 and a 2003 f-250 none of these were mine, but i was riding in each one and the 4x4 wasnt there when we needed it


I really prefer the manual t-case...it would be cool if you could get it with the auto/manual hubs like that come with the esof

For some reason the dealers have in their mind everyone wants esof...when a good majority of us dont, but buy it anyway because its the only truck you can find that you like(like my 250 listed below)
Im actually in the process of selling my truck below because its not exactly what i want and im going to order a 350 eaxtly the way i want it...