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How does my front 4X4 work?

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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 04:37 PM
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From: hondo
How does my front 4X4 work?

Can someone explain to me or point me in the right direction on how does our OEM 4x4 system work once its in 4x4 mode. Meaning the front hubs are manually locked esof is 4x4h or low. Do both front tires spin? Do we have limited slip type front differential? Does only one tire spin? Dose the tire with the most or least torque spin? Everything on my truck is OEM, 3.73 gears, 2002 f350. As always, any info is appreciated. Thanks

Gilbert
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 05:31 PM
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From what I have heard LS in the front end is rare or non-existent unless you do it yourself. Factory ESOF 4x4 locks the hubs with vacuum and the transfer case with relays.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 06:54 PM
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From: hondo
So is the front open until locked?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 07:02 PM
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From: hondo
And how do they operate once locked?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 07:05 PM
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Free spinning until locked and open rear when locked.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 07:12 PM
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From: hondo
Thanks. But do u know if both tire will lock up and spin at the same time? Or is there some kind of transfer of torque to one or the other tire?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 07:40 PM
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The front differential is what is referred to as “open” meaning that torque goes to the tire with the least amount amount of traction. If you were to lift a front tire off the ground that is the tire that would be powered.

the locking hubs which are activated by vacuum lock the wheel hub to the inner axle.
When unlocked the inner axle does not spin as you drive in 2 wheel drive.
likewise if you engaged 4X4 but not engage the locking hubs the inner axle will spin but Will not power the wheel until the hub is locked.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 07:59 PM
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From: hondo
Originally Posted by pirate4x4_camo
The front differential is what is referred to as “open” meaning that torque goes to the tire with the least amount amount of traction. If you were to lift a front tire off the ground that is the tire that would be powered.

the locking hubs which are activated by vacuum lock the wheel hub to the inner axle.
When unlocked the inner axle does not spin as you drive in 2 wheel drive.
likewise if you engaged 4X4 but not engage the locking hubs the inner axle will spin but Will not power the wheel until the hub is locked.
im a little slow so please bare wit me. In your first paragraph u said that "torque goes to the tire with the least amount of traction" is that in locked positions or 4x4?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 08:15 PM
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No, they will not both spin at the same time, if one loses traction it will spin and the other will sit still, that is how an 'open' rear works. There are other rears that make both wheels spin in that situation.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 08:27 PM
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From: hondo
Thanks that is what I've been trying to find out. Just to be clear we are talking about the front differential? You mentioned rear and I'm not sure if that is a typo or another word for differential or gear?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 08:47 PM
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differential, rear, same thing.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 08:56 PM
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From: hondo
Lol, just making sure.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Amicus


im a little slow so please bare wit me. In your first paragraph u said that "torque goes to the tire with the least amount of traction" is that in locked positions or 4x4?
the transfer case needs to be engaged in 4x4 And both hubs locked to provide power to the front wheels.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 11:03 PM
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The answers are all here, but not clearly so I'll try to simplify it. The hubs lock each front axle to it's wheel. The axles get their power from the differential. The differential is open meaning that it feely allows both axles to spin independently. Any time that one tire is able to slip more easily than the other one it will, and the tire with better traction will get very little power.

Any time one tire is spinning you can power brake to help transfer power to the other one. Put pressure on the brake pedal while throttling, the brakes being applied will help put a load on the free spinning tire which will transfer more power to the other one.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2018 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Amicus
Lol, just making sure.
'Front differential' would be a more appropriate name for it and I'll remember that!
Originally Posted by '88 E-350
The answers are all here, but not clearly so I'll try to simplify it. The hubs lock each front axle to it's wheel. The axles get their power from the differential. The differential is open meaning that it feely allows both axles to spin independently. Any time that one tire is able to slip more easily than the other one it will, and the tire with better traction will get very little power.

Any time one tire is spinning you can power brake to help transfer power to the other one. Put pressure on the brake pedal while throttling, the brakes being applied will help put a load on the free spinning tire which will transfer more power to the other one.
That sums it up pretty well.
 
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