This is not a flame but most of those systems you mentioned are really poor excuses for four wheel drive. If you check almost all reviews of those vehicles including standard driving magazines, they all(with few exceptions)feel that those manufacturers are trying too hard to cover both markets and in doing so have come out sub-standard in one or both.

 

Let me preface this by saying I love my X and would not trade it. Are you telling me that "Trail Rated" is only a cheap marketing ploy? Wow, I would have never guessed. I agree that some of these vehicles are not up to par if you are doing any sort of off-roading. (I must add that most of these 4x4's never get off road, and I am including these X's with 10" lifts and 37's. What I was referring to is the overall 4 wheel drive system including things like downhill assist, traction control, AWD, lockers, etc. It cannot be denied that companies like Land rover and Jeep are excellent 4 wheel drives (look at the Rubicon). Why is it you never see Ford X's on safari's in Africa? However, others are simply jazzed up cars, like the Taureg, even though it won 4 wheel drive of the year in one magazine I read. I have read the reviews and have seen favorable reviews for advancements in the overall 4 wheel drive systems. I am like many of you, and do not necessarily like all the extra bells and whistles. Some do. A friend almost killed himself in a G500 because of the 4 wheel traction control taking over the controls around a corner. I have traction control in our XK8 and I turn it off every time I get in it. I like using the 300+ hp's and getting the back end loose around the corners. But for my wife I would rather have the extra traction and control if something happens. I know, the XK8 is a car and it is apples and convertible oranges but same goes for 4 wheel drive. All said and done, the X system is a basic turn on, turn off system whereas the others are far superior technology. That doesn't mean we would rather have them, just means that they are more advanced. All that said, I don't think we would turn down this technology if it were offered, or standard in the X. Rather we would be singing the praises of Ford technology. Hey, we sing praises even though my X has been in the shop more times than I can count.

 

No, I would say that the Jeep is one of the notable exceptions. The lockers found on the cayenne and chevy would also be exceptions. But any systems listed as passive control systems are PRIMARILY supposed to function as assists to the driver not as active traction systems. The problem arises when these systems engage themselves without driver input or expectation on the part of inexperienced off road drivers and then these same inexperienced drivers get in accidents because they expose themselves to situations they think they can handle because they think they are driving a "super-car".But again it is my opinion that these systems are supplemental rather than primary drive systems. The gov-lock traction system on the chevy is one of the worst. I believe that these systems are engineered with the understanding that they will be used sporadically if at all. Therefore, when they are exposed to constant use they wear out, or worse, malfunction.

 

Boar-Ral
I think the xfercase your thinking of might be the NP203 that came in some ford and chevy's in the early/mid 70's. It's a chain driven xfercase as is pretty bulletproof as long as the chain doesn't strectch(which is really hard to do unless you forget to check the oil level). My nonopped ranch truck is a 74 Chevy 3/4 4wd with np465 4 spd. Have hauled many loads of lumber etc with it with no probs ever from the xfercase.

Have a nice day
Sam

00 expy 5.4 4wd
97 F350 psd 4wd
89 Elite 28' MH 460

 

Oops forgot the Np203 is the fulltime 4wd has 4high lock/4 high/ nuet/ 4low/4low lock. The Np205 is the part time 4wd xfercase.
Hope this helps a little.

Sam

 

Being in Canada, near the mountains, I use four-wheel drive a lot, even on the highway, to say nothing of some of the mountain passes. But in an hour of driving in such conditions, you can go from dry pavement to glare ice many times in a matter of minutes. That is the only reason I want something that can be full-time.

 

That is it! Now does anyone know if it is possible to jury-rig one of these into an Excursion? And would it blow up after one or two years? I got the general impression that it was one of the best ways to go, given what I was looking at doing.

 

I would contact Advance adapters, maybe advanceadapters.com. I'm not sure. I think they would be able to get you something that would get you going.I understand that they are the biggest purveyors of such stuff.