I'm not a car say person so I thought I would ask here. I'm looking at two f250s to buy but noticed one has a on/off switch for four wheel drive and the other gives a 2H, 4L, 4H option. What is the difference? I'm thinking the on/off switch is pretty much 4h on or off.

 

What year trucks? Are you saying one truck has the dash switch and the other has the floor lever?

 

Both dash switches. They are both XL package. One has your typical choice between 4H and 4L the other just has an on/off switch no choice

 

One is a 2wheel drive with a locker.

 

So u treat the on off switch as just like putting my truck into 4h now? Sorry I'm dumb. Lol. Just don't want to buy it n realize it's not typical 4 wheel drive

 

What year trucks are we talking about?

 

The year is a 2012

 

Yeah, so it is how I said before, one is a 2wd truck with the locker in the rear end. The other is a 4wd truck. The 4wd with the ESOF(dash switch) works when you switch it to 4wd and the hubs automatically turn in for you via a vacuum line. This replaces the manual operation of getting out of the truck to manually turn in the hubs.

 

Any experience with that form of 4x4. Is it reliable vs the other kind (high low choices)

 

The truck with the on off switch is NOT a 4x4.......the on off switch only locks up the rear end essentially giving you a posi rear axle while in the on position....

 

The truck with the "on/off" switch may be a 4wd, look for the shifter in the floor, a lot of XLs will not have ESOF, but plenty will still have the elocker.

If both trucks are 4x4, it is the same "system", just different ways of shifting the transfer case.

The manual shift IMO is more reliable long term, as it uses a direct mechanical linkage to the transfer case to select 4wd, N, and 4Lo. Also will most likely be equipped with manual front hubs, which are either Free or Locked, depending on you to physically exit the vehicle, and lock/unlock the axle shafts before needing 4wd, and after you're done having fun and about to hit the asphalt again. The "on/off" switch is for an electronically controlled rear differential lock, which mechanically and solidly locked the 2 rear tires to spin at the same speed, great for off-roading, bad for asphalt

On the ESOF, it has auto hubs, that can be in auto mode or in LOCK, which is self explanatory, but you can shift in & out of 4wd and never leave the cab. If that truck is equipped with the Elocker, it is turned on by pulling out on the 2/4/Lo ****.

Hope that helps. I just bought a 2016 with ESOF, I prefer the old school, but found a deal on a truck with everything else I liked so I'll have to live with the convenient way of shifting. Lol.

 

The dealer has the truck with on/off switch (rear differential lock as a 4x4 truck. R u suggesting the shifter for 4x4 is on the floor? I can see in the pics of the truck there are caps to turn on the front hubs.

 

1. Get the VIN of the truck(s) in question.
2. Look them up to see what they were built as: https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

This should answer your question as to what you're looking at.

The electric locking differential was available as an option regardless of whether the truck was 2WD, ESOF, or MSOF.

 

Yes. If it is a 4wd truck, the basic, cheap way of shifting the transfer case is with a lever in the floor, it will be located between the bottom of the dash and the driver seat, just to the right of the driver's right leg.

 

I believe I can see the shifter on the floor. So it is a manual one. Looks like the wife will be turning in the hubs on wintery mornings lol. Oooooo she will be thrilled. Here is the build sheet. Does anyone in the winter just Jun with their hubs locked for long periods of time? Rather than turning them in every second they r needed.

Build sheet
Primary FeaturesBuild Date:**03.01.2012Vehicle Line:**F250/350/450/550 Super DutyBody Style:**Super Single CabVersion:**250 SeriesEngine:**6.2L 16V OHC NA V8 GasTransmission:**6 Speed Auto Transmission (6R140)Drive:**LHD 4WD (PTD)Axle Ratio:**3.73Emission:**With California/Green State ReqAir Conditioning:**Manual Air ConditioningTerritory:**(+)"USA"Paint:**Ingot Silver Metallic 2