Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

4WD questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 09:01 AM
  #16  
zipdrive's Avatar
zipdrive
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Earth, (land portion)
Alaskan, thank you! Yes, the rear end blowing off the tires at 40mph is cool when its on the flats, during WOT, and in the summer time. Can create a pile of bricks in your seat when going uphill in winter and no road width to correct for snap overstseer.

Dumb question, why lock the hubs vs. leaving them in auto?
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 11:44 AM
  #17  
ithaca1230's Avatar
ithaca1230
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Ithaca
I pretty much use the 4WD system same as AlaskanEx. I'll lock them in when first snow hits and try to remember to unlock then in the spring.I drive up to 80 in 4wd many times and have not had a problem switching from 4wd to 2wd on the fly. Upstate NY has crazy weather and you could be in a storm fro an hour then drive right out of it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 11:58 AM
  #18  
loganj01's Avatar
loganj01
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
From: Dalton, Ga
Originally Posted by zipdrive
Dumb question, why lock the hubs vs. leaving them in auto?
If you leave them in auto, you have a time lapse as the vacuum system engages them. If they're manually locked, you have 4x4 as soon as the transfer case switches which is usually almost instantaneous. I never used the auto hubs on my Ex but my 2001 F350 would sometimes take 30-45 seconds for the hubs to auto lock.
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 01:51 PM
  #19  
Flyboy1100's Avatar
Flyboy1100
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 13
From: ND
Originally Posted by zipdrive
Alaskan, thank you! Yes, the rear end blowing off the tires at 40mph is cool when its on the flats, during WOT, and in the summer time. Can create a pile of bricks in your seat when going uphill in winter and no road width to correct for snap overstseer.

Dumb question, why lock the hubs vs. leaving them in auto?
some of us no longer have auto hubs, so if i anticipate i will need 4wd for the day, i will lock my WARN hubs first, then as i need 4wd i will switch in and out of it as i drive.

fastest i have used it is upper 70's and it has been fine, generally the Ex is heavy enough with decent tires 2wd is adequate for all but the worst stuff.

Nokian Rotiiva AT Plus so far have been a fantastic winter/all year tire. closest thing to a true winter tire w/o being a winter tire
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 02:34 PM
  #20  
PrescottIce's Avatar
PrescottIce
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Originally Posted by AlaskanEx
its glare ice under in the first video with wet snow coming down. We don't salt so it's not like lower 48 highways. Sure you may be able to maintain with a very light foot, but first hill when you speed up guarentee the rear end would step out very quickly.
Studded tires?
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 02:42 PM
  #21  
AlaskanEx's Avatar
AlaskanEx
Bleed Ford Blue
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by PrescottIce
Studded tires?
Yup I run them half the year, Cooper M+S studded snow tires.

I lock my hubs because the auto function stopped working after having my ball joints replaced about 4 years ago plus I know it's going to engage.


 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2018 | 04:10 PM
  #22  
Flyboy1100's Avatar
Flyboy1100
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 13
From: ND
i had 1/2 worn out Firestone Transforce AT tires that the PO studded. i hate those tires but studded they were tolerable especially with the weight of the Ex. So far my Rotiiva AT Plus's are equal or better, but Transforce is just a horrible tire it isn't a fair comparison. I am getting studded Nokian Hakkapilliita's for my subaru this winter, should be amazing
 
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2018 | 06:01 PM
  #23  
PrescottIce's Avatar
PrescottIce
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Originally Posted by AlaskanEx
Yup I run them half the year, Cooper M+S studded snow tires.
The studs are doing far more for you than the 4wd is.



 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 18, 2018 | 03:25 AM
  #24  
AlaskanEx's Avatar
AlaskanEx
Bleed Ford Blue
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by PrescottIce
The studs are doing far more for you than the 4wd is.
Ha! You're funny. The Ex is useless in 2wd with the snow tires even, it will break traction if you look at the gas pedal wrong and go nowhere. Not to mention the much better steering and stopping ability you get with the axles locked together. That has been verified time and time again.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2018 | 08:48 AM
  #25  
Flyboy1100's Avatar
Flyboy1100
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 13
From: ND
Originally Posted by AlaskanEx
Ha! You're funny. The Ex is useless in 2wd with the snow tires even, it will break traction if you look at the gas pedal wrong and go nowhere. Not to mention the much better steering and stopping ability you get with the axles locked together. That has been verified time and time again.
I disagree about 2wd but agree with the rest.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2018 | 10:49 PM
  #26  
00t444e's Avatar
00t444e
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I can go places in my 4x4 with MT tires that a 2wd with snow tires can't, so yes in my experience 4x4 makes a bigger difference than snow tires does.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2018 | 09:15 AM
  #27  
PrescottIce's Avatar
PrescottIce
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 816
Likes: 7
From: Prescott, AZ
Originally Posted by 00t444e
I can go places in my 4x4 with MT tires that a 2wd with snow tires can't, so yes in my experience 4x4 makes a bigger difference than snow tires does.
On any other surface, you'll have no argument from me. On glare ice, the mechanical grip provided by studs has the advantage over all four tires spinning uselessly.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2018 | 09:46 AM
  #28  
00t444e's Avatar
00t444e
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
Originally Posted by PrescottIce
On any other surface, you'll have no argument from me. On glare ice, the mechanical grip provided by studs has the advantage over all four tires spinning uselessly.
Maybe if the 4x4 has worn out tires. The company I used to work for would put studded tires on the service vans in the winter time and they did OK but nothing like my 4x4s with good tires do.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2018 | 10:18 PM
  #29  
lexustech48's Avatar
lexustech48
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
Quick question for verification. Us desert folk in Arizona do have occasional encounters with snow during trips to northern Arizona in the winter. Is there any detriment to leaving the 4x4 hubs in manual lock while driving in 2wd going from the dry desert valley up to the mountains? Ive tested the SOTF 4x4 on a few gravel and dirt roads around Phoenix and they seem to do just fine engaging and disengaging.

Im not sure if the front differential was limited slip like my rear (C3 axles) or if it was locked like a spool.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2018 | 07:24 AM
  #30  
00t444e's Avatar
00t444e
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
No problem at all with leaving the hubs locked in 2wd, I do it all the time.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
escapefan
Escape & Escape Hybrid
4
Apr 11, 2011 01:34 PM
claycomotrucks1991
Escape & Escape Hybrid
16
Jul 15, 2010 12:36 AM
SUPERDUTY_untouchabl
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Oct 7, 2008 09:29 PM
hondo25
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
10
Apr 10, 2003 09:43 PM
D
Escape & Escape Hybrid
7
Jun 4, 2001 10:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:20 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE