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Is it a true 4x4??

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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 02:51 PM
  #1  
budhead1's Avatar
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Is it a true 4x4??

How can you tell if a 4WD vehicle is a true 4WD in that all four wheels will be engaged when in 4WD, as opposed to only getting some combination of two wheels? I had an 89 Bronco that was true, and it got through anything. Now I've got an 85 F150 and it has trouble in places the Bronco didn't. I know it's not true 4WD because when she's stuck only two tires are going at one time. I want to buy a late model F250, but it has to be a true 4WD and I want to know how to refer to it and what to look for to know.

Thank you.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 02:55 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

Just make sure whatever ya get has solid axels front and rear the lockm up. Yer TTB and open diffs are yer problem.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 03:46 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

To find out if your truck has a locker or limited slip rearend, put a floor jack under the pumpkin (rear diff.). Lift the rear tires off the ground and spin the rear tires, if one tire spins each way then you have a open diff. If both tires spin the same direction, then you have limited slip or after market locker. As far as the front end goes, I don't personally know of any Ford trucks/SUV's that were avaiable with a factory limited slip much less a locker.

On my truck I have a locker in the rear, and a open diff. in the front. But sometimes the truck will act like it has true 4wd. The reason that it does this once in a while is because each of the tires have equal traction and equal pressure which allows both tires to spin. But once one tire gets more traction then the other tire (the one with less traction) will start to spin.

=+=+=+=+=
Paul
 
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 11:09 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

> don't personally know of any Ford trucks/SUV's that
> were avaiable with a factory limited slip much less a locker.

I know 84-85 BIIs could be ordered with front limited slips.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 11:57 PM
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Merlin 306
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Is it a true 4x4??

rebocardo, ever heard of Trak-Lok, Ford has been using those in axles for years.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2003 | 08:26 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

Originally posted by budhead1
I know it's not true 4WD because when she's stuck only two tires are going at one time.
Your '85 & '89 use the same system, and they're both "true 4WD" (no differential in the t-case). The differences are that the Bronco had better weight distribution and possibly limited slip differentials (TracLok as Merlin said). If you put some sort of upgraded diff in your truck it will do better. Read this thread for more info.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2003 | 09:10 PM
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From: McChord AFB
Is it a true 4x4??

put lockers in the truck you have and it will climb a tree.
 
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Old Mar 16, 2003 | 11:28 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

how much is a cheep but descent locker and ls. myne would be a stock v6. i just want to be able to go places others cant.
 
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Old Mar 17, 2003 | 07:16 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

Originally posted by rebocardo
> don't personally know of any Ford trucks/SUV's that
> were avaiable with a factory limited slip much less a locker.

My '81 f100 has t-lok in the rear(2wd), and my dad's '70 bronco had t-lok front and rear
 
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Old Mar 20, 2003 | 09:05 PM
  #10  
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Is it a true 4x4??

my 1981 f-150 has l.s. in both front and rear
 
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Old Mar 20, 2003 | 09:40 PM
  #11  
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Is it a true 4x4??

I don't want this to come a cross wrong but, here is what I orginally said.
Originally posted by PHS79
As far as the front end goes, I don't personally know of any Ford trucks/SUV's that were avaiable with a factory limited slip much less a locker.
Like I said, personally I don't know of any, it doesn't mean that it wasn't an avaliable. Hell I wish that my truck came from the factory with a l/s up front.

I know that limited slips have been in the rears of trucks and cars bascally forever.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2003 | 01:56 PM
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Is it a true 4x4??

My dads 97 f-350 had limited slips front and rear from the factory. Talk about a beast.
 
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Old Mar 25, 2003 | 11:27 PM
  #13  
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Is it a true 4x4??

My 1990 Bronco has front & rear Trak-Lok!!
 
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Old Apr 19, 2003 | 12:35 AM
  #14  
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Is it a true 4x4??

I personally do not like limited slip diffs once you're stuck you're screwed. A posi or a locker is the best way to go. My 84 4wd was open front and rear. I installed a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear and it made a world of difference. I plan to install one in the front later on. It took about 45 minutes to install with common hand tools. It cost 460 bucks at Napa for an 8.8 with 31 spline axles
 
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Old Apr 20, 2003 | 02:23 AM
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Is it a true 4x4??

Originally posted by PKUPMAN82
I personally do not like limited slip diffs ... A posi or a locker is the best way to go.
"Positraction" is the GM name for a limited slip.
 
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