Hmmm...
PSDwannabe....
Does that indicate what I think it does?
You don't have one, but yet you know them well?

I wish I would take the time to research my vehicles that well !

Probably would have saved me from buying that Ponitiac Grand Prix a while back

 

You mean does it mean, I dont have one yet? You are absolutly correct, I dont. And I have researched the everloving dog snot out of these X's. I have an apointment for Monday afternoon to place an order for a 2WD front coil springed X.

 

UUUUHHHHH???? 4X4 means the wheels all turn at the same time???? Don't feel too bad, many of the guys with these huge lifts and tires never see anything close to off-road, unless it is parking on their lawn. We could only wish that the X had a four-wheel system like Jeep's. I off-road quite a bit, but if I didn't you can bet I would save the $ for the truck, insurance, gas, maintanance, etc and get a faux 4X4 lift kit. Wait, who am I kidding, I wouldn't own a truck without 4 wheel drive.

 

I live in L.A. and I will never buy a 2wd truck again.$wd is one of those things that when you need it, you really need it. I go off road alot and would never live without it. I have found with the dealers in L.A. that they will cut the price on 4wd's until they are same price as 2's just to get rid of them. I paid nothing extra for my 4wd. 2-3K extra sounds pretty high. I would pay no more than 500. Also the difference in gas mileage is so negligible as to not be worth mentioning.

 

Leaving a 4wd (not AWD) vehicle in 4wd while on dry pavement will cause damage to the driveline, not the suspension. Although I suppose it could damage the tires and some suspension stuff if try a lot of tight turns with it locked in on dry pavement. I doubt you'd do that a lot of times, though. Makes for a heck of a clunking, jumping turn.

 

Actually most AWD vehicles don't like TIGHT slow turns....

My 98 Jeep 5.9 limited would do the shimy if I turned lock to lock without a lot of movement...

 

This discussion of 4WD reminds me of one a friend and I had several weeks ago. I love the Excursion, but would prefer an AWD system. Unfortunately, I do not think anyone manufacturers an AWD system that could be tossed into the Excursion. (Correct me if I'm wrong.. I'd love to be wrong here. ) A friend in the military suggested a transfer case whose model now completely escapes me. Basically, it had a differential inside to prevent front-rear binding. Essentially, while it wasn't AWD - I love the Expeditions AWD system, but know there is NO way it could be jury-rigged in.. it throttles back the engine and brakes and everything - it is full-time 4WD that you can always leave on.

Does anyone else have information about similar setups? I would love AWD, but I just don't think it would be possible to put in.. it would probably disintigrate in the Excursion within a few months, to say nothing of how it might lower the towing capacity. Fulltime 4WD seems to be the only way.. this transfer case was quite old, if I recall, manufacture stopping in the 70s. At the time that he mentioned it, I found a couple companies that have 'repackaged' it into transfer casings to fit Ford Superduties, GMCs, etc.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

2WD's have front coils. 4WD's have leaf springs in front. What gives?

 

Boar-Ral- Are you talking about the old Jeep Quadratrac system?
If so, then I can tell you that the transfer case was plagued with problems. I got rich repairing them when I was turning wrenches for Jeep. Well, not really rich, but I mostly made my bills while I worked there.

 

Just out of curiosity, why would you want AWD? There are a plethora of problems associated with it.Only wondering.

 

I have been searching everywhere for reference to my discussion with my friend, but I am certain the transfer case was not built or used in Jeeps. It was built by either Dodge, Ford, or General Motors, but I cannot remember which. The moment I see him next, I will ask him. Unfortunately, I believe he has been sent to Afghanistan, so it may take some time. The transfer case that he spoke of was apparently bombproof. It was just a little bit overkill for most applications though and that is what killed it.

I'll keep searching and keep everyone up to date if I find it.

 

What sort of problems? I admit, I am very new - well, relatively new - to AWD and 4WD. I am just curious. I was just under the impression that AWD was more suitable to onroad use whereas fulltime 4WD was more suitable for everything else. As mentioned though, I am completely open to suggestions. I am just wondering and looking for a system, if it exists, that can always be on for when I need it. When our weather fluctuates so much this time of year, some days the roads are glare ice and other days they are bone dry. Most people have told me that the moment you get ice on the road, you can leave it on until spring and that the occasionally dry road on the trip to work won't kill anything. But I have always been of the opinion that I would rather be safe than sorry. Granted, I will probably wait until the powertrain warranty expires, but in the meantime, I would like to create a list of options. The closest thing I can see is the Auto4WD system used by GM in the Suburban, Avalanche (which I own), etc. With a truck as large as the Excursion though, with the engine putting out so much torque, I don't want anything to explode.

So again, I am open to any ideas and suggestions.. I'm learning here.

 

You can count on wearing out parts in a serious hurry.. I would simply keep an EsOF system in good working order if you are looking for easy on and off.

 

Since I am a newbie, what is EsOf? Electronic Shift.. er.. of Fury? I understand the benefits of the stock system, I would just like something that is always there, so I do not need to worry about turning it on and off. Granted, I usually know when I need it or not, but there have been a couple instances where I would have wished it automatically switched.

 

"of Furry" Now that is good humor!
When I posted the original comment I was not putting down the Ford system just commenting on how other systems are better. This cannot be denied. Systems such as those in Jeeps, the Taureg, Cayenne, Range and Land rover's, G Class, even Chevy and other Fords. I do not need All-wheel here in So Cal (although I wish some other people had it when it rained) but I could see how effective it is in places that get a real winter. Us, uhh "MEN" don't need it b/c we can turn it off and on! But, uhh I am looking out for the less adept people out there that need a little assistance.