How does the 4x4 system work
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Michigan
How does the 4x4 system work
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knows how the 4x4 system works on the 2012 f350 lariat? My truck as the manual lock hubs and the auto selector switch. Several times once stuck... I can not get into 4x4 mode without getting out into the mud and manually locking the hubs. As a previously lifetime owner of Chevy.... I have never had to do this with those. Did Ford actually make a 4x4 system that you can't shift into 4x4 mode from inside the cab if you are not moving?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Texas
A way around this is to turn the hubs to "LOCK" before going wheeling, or anywhere you may think you will need 4WD, and leave the selector switch in 2H for normal driving, then switch to 4H or 4L *BEFORE* getting stuck. That way you will not need to get in and out of the truck. Of course, you do know that when you get stuck then that you are REALLY stuck!!!
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Junior User
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From: Michigan
Not a good choice..... Example... Parked at my kids soccer field, pulled off drive down a slight slope on grass just like everyone else.... Time to leave and back tires just spin... Put in 4 wheel drive..... Nothing... Just spin, spin, spin, everyone looking at me like I'm a moron.... Had to get out and lock in hubs to back up off the grass..... Point is, u can get in a stuck situation a lot easier than u think and should not have to get out of the truck...... Besides the fact that if u drive around with the hubs locked, you will be binding the drive train while on dry pavement.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knows how the 4x4 system works on the 2012 f350 lariat? My truck as the manual lock hubs and the auto selector switch. Several times once stuck... I can not get into 4x4 mode without getting out into the mud and manually locking the hubs. As a previously lifetime owner of Chevy.... I have never had to do this with those. Did Ford actually make a 4x4 system that you can't shift into 4x4 mode from inside the cab if you are not moving?
You can lock them beforehand. I leave mine locked for the entire winter. I wouldn't lock the for the summer, but if you're headed into muddy terrain or something, lock them before you venture in.
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Logistics Pro
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as others have said, should be just a vacuum issue that a dealer should be able to fix easily if you don't want to hassle with it. Can alwsys just leave it as is too and just manually lock it when you need it. That's what I do on my 2006; replaced the oem hubs with manual Warns.
Sone Fords used to have an automatic 4x4 system whereby the front hubs were fully automatic - you couldn't get out and manually lock them. To engage it, you had to be moving (this may be what your dealer was thinking of). To disengage, you had to go in the reverse direction about five feet.
I had that system on an F150 and a full size Bronco back in the early '90's. Were a pain because the auto 4x4 would fail (a number of times) and there was nothing I could do.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Texas
Not true, until you actually shift the transfer case into 4WD the front and rear drive shafts are not connected, thus no binding.
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Junior User
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From: Michigan
True but you are dragging all the front axle shafts along for the ride instead of being disengaged...thus more wear on parts.
Just talked to a REAL ford service tech and the system should engage whether moving or not using the cab switch......has to have a vacuum leak....My dealer now concedes that that is the case to.....
Just talked to a REAL ford service tech and the system should engage whether moving or not using the cab switch......has to have a vacuum leak....My dealer now concedes that that is the case to.....
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2015
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I think that your dealer WAS right.
My SD has a number of times not wanted to go into 4WD when I turned the ****. And gave me a message to "Pull forward". When I did so hubs kicked in.
This was usually when I was either already stuck or at least had the front tires turned excessively.
Yes, if in doubt, switch to 4WD when not under pressure or on a slant or......
Otherwise my system has always responded correctly.
My SD has a number of times not wanted to go into 4WD when I turned the ****. And gave me a message to "Pull forward". When I did so hubs kicked in.
This was usually when I was either already stuck or at least had the front tires turned excessively.
Yes, if in doubt, switch to 4WD when not under pressure or on a slant or......
Otherwise my system has always responded correctly.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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I think that your dealer WAS right.
My SD has a number of times not wanted to go into 4WD when I turned the ****. And gave me a message to "Pull forward". When I did so hubs kicked in.
This was usually when I was either already stuck or at least had the front tires turned excessively.
Yes, if in doubt, switch to 4WD when not under pressure or on a slant or......
Otherwise my system has always responded correctly.
My SD has a number of times not wanted to go into 4WD when I turned the ****. And gave me a message to "Pull forward". When I did so hubs kicked in.
This was usually when I was either already stuck or at least had the front tires turned excessively.
Yes, if in doubt, switch to 4WD when not under pressure or on a slant or......
Otherwise my system has always responded correctly.
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From: Frederick, MD
sometimes you do need to move the vehicle just a bit for it actually lock in.
everything has to line up. you could try to put it in reverse and then drive to see if it engages.
The hubs are manual or auto. Make sure they in the auto position, not locked.
You should find a spot and try using the auto selector to confirm it will engage without getting out of the cab.
What does your screen tell you? Mine will let me know it has engaged and you can here the transfer case engage as well.
everything has to line up. you could try to put it in reverse and then drive to see if it engages.
The hubs are manual or auto. Make sure they in the auto position, not locked.
You should find a spot and try using the auto selector to confirm it will engage without getting out of the cab.
What does your screen tell you? Mine will let me know it has engaged and you can here the transfer case engage as well.