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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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
'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.