can someone please tell me how difficult or easy and if it is actually worth it to change my ESOF Auto/Lock hubs to manual Warn Premiums?? does the ESOF shifter still work the same way other then the fact i have to lock the hubs when i want 4wd??? if its gonna cause a headach i wont bother, and who would be able to do it?? will ford still honor the extended warrenty if something fails within the 4wd transfer case/system??? i appreciate the input and advice.

-bigdawg

'03 FX4 F250SD SC Long Bed 5.4L ESOF (unfortunately )

 

You should post this in the superduty forum to get all the answers. I do know that the dash shifter will work. Whether the hubs will have to be manually locked I don't know because mine has the manual t-case and hubs.

 

Since you haven't been moved to the SD forum, I think I'll put in my 2cents. Don't give up on the ESOF yet! It works, but you will have to get used to it. It helps to engage the system fairly often - maybe twice a week on soft ground. You don't have to leave it that way long, just long enough to get things "adapted".

Do you want to shift the transfer case to low and leave the front tires free? If so, you can trace the vacuum line from each hub back up to the vacuum pot (my '99 is behind the battery) there you will find an elbow (90 degree) that energizes the system. You can disconnect the system at that point, plug both ends (get 2 short peices of rubber hose) and the hubs will not lock when you engage the ESOF. Then you can get out and lock the hubs manually when you need them. Just don't forget to unlock them afterwards.

on edit - to answer your question about the Warn's - it will not affect anything else - as a matter of fact the ESOF setup will never know you've done the swap. But - as far as warranty goes - you better check with your dealer. Some honor, some don't. It's an easy swap - just remove the factory Warns and install the new Warns - simple as that.

 

you can change your auto/manual hubs to warn premiums ,but you'll have to plug the vacuum lines,otherwise when you shift into 4wd the computer will think there is a vacuum leak and set off the check engine light. I read about it in Fourwheeler magazine and I think they used a BB to plug the hole in the vacuum lines.

 

Just buy 10 cent vacuum plugs from the auto store. It should not kick on the light but the air/heat is under vacuum and when in 4wd the air will only come out of the defrost vents. I put brass plubg(1/8 npt) in the hubs and pulled the main part of the line off and capped it just behind the shock. Also I happened to sell my esof hubs for 200 bucks-coincidentally the same price as a set of warn premium hubs.How lucky.