4 wheel drive engaged?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
The last mile to my house is gravel road so at least once a month I put it in 4x4 for that last mile. It's my theory that doing that at least once a month keeps the hubs sufficiently lubed that they don't have trouble engaging in auto mode. I haven't had problems with them yet but in really cold weather with adverse road conditions, I turn the hubs in manually just for insurance.
I'd also really like to see Ford put the electronic locking differential on both the front and rear differentials, independently selectable, DRW diff included.
I'd also really like to see Ford put the electronic locking differential on both the front and rear differentials, independently selectable, DRW diff included.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 224
Likes: 7
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
My 2008 truck was terrible about 4 wheel drive. I would frequently experience one wheel drive.
The rear diff was limited slip and it wasn't strong enough to grip in mud, so one rear wheel would spin, no power to any other wheel.
So, it's possible that you don't have an LS rear diff, or, you didn't lock the rear diff.
As I understand it, if the rear diff isn't locked, one wheel spins on ice, everything else will sit still. Even if the fronts are locked and the transfer case is engaged.
This is why I was so happy to have the locking rear diff. It forces power to the front even if both rears are without traction. Since the rear is locked in,any turn of the gear will force power through the transfer case.
The rear diff was limited slip and it wasn't strong enough to grip in mud, so one rear wheel would spin, no power to any other wheel.
So, it's possible that you don't have an LS rear diff, or, you didn't lock the rear diff.
As I understand it, if the rear diff isn't locked, one wheel spins on ice, everything else will sit still. Even if the fronts are locked and the transfer case is engaged.
This is why I was so happy to have the locking rear diff. It forces power to the front even if both rears are without traction. Since the rear is locked in,any turn of the gear will force power through the transfer case.
Last edited by jfritz_drfritz; Nov 19, 2014 at 05:24 PM. Reason: More info
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I know fritz. It's hard to wrap my head around it. But I had the truck stuck, in D, and I personally saw one wheel spinning and the remaining 3 sitting still. It was a long time ago and I don't remember anything else about it except that the electronic locker in the 11 and up trucks was very important to me and I will never trust a LS rear end again.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 188
First there are seals in there. If they go bad it won't lock or intermittent. Mine sometimes won't lock then will.
Best to do what posters above recommend. Between use activate them to keep them working.
I turn the hubs to lock in winter here as I use 4x4 so much around town so much.
Just like getting them to disengage I put it in neutral then drive to ease the torque of the driveline so the gears will be free to go in and out of 4x4.
Best to do what posters above recommend. Between use activate them to keep them working.
I turn the hubs to lock in winter here as I use 4x4 so much around town so much.
Just like getting them to disengage I put it in neutral then drive to ease the torque of the driveline so the gears will be free to go in and out of 4x4.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
So my brand new 6.7 with 307 miles and crappy all season tires sunk in my driveway and got stuck. Even with the locking rear in 4wd it wouldn't walk itself out. Had to break out the tow strap and pull it out with the old truck :-( not a good start to what I hope to be a long relationship. Hoping that some good AT tires solve this getting stuck problem and prevent it from happening again.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,862
From: Frederick, MD
What kind of tires did it come with? Factory never has very good tires on them as a general rule.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 484
Likes: 6
From: Alberta
Reading the posts there are two pieces of advice folks are suggesting and I agree with these: 1) engage your 4 wheel drive system regularly every few weeks, hi and lo ranges; and 2) in the winter leave the front hubs locked.
When I had a bush job and lived in the country my truck was in 4 wheel most of the time - never ever had a 4 X 4 issue driving 100's of thousands of kms (regular mtce. helps). Most folks with 4 X 4 trouble are in vehicles where the system is rarely engaged and when needed doesn't perform.
When I had a bush job and lived in the country my truck was in 4 wheel most of the time - never ever had a 4 X 4 issue driving 100's of thousands of kms (regular mtce. helps). Most folks with 4 X 4 trouble are in vehicles where the system is rarely engaged and when needed doesn't perform.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,862
From: Frederick, MD
My guess is maybe some of those Michelins road tires.
I have the lastest version of the BFG all terrains and they clean out pretty well but I will be changing them for some coopers next year.
I have the lastest version of the BFG all terrains and they clean out pretty well but I will be changing them for some coopers next year.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
What size you running? I'm looking at the BFG AT KO2 snow rated tires.
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