We got more snow last night, so I spend some time messing with the ESOF system on my '04. I did find out a few things:

1 - It took me about 5 minutes to get the truck to go into 4-low - the hubs would lock in and it would go into 4-hi, but the dang thing would NOT go into 4-low. Eventually I got it to go into 4-low by turning off the engine and then starting it back up again - then it went in right away, though I'm not sure why. Once it went into 4-low the first time, it went into it just fine every other time I tried it. This is the first time I've had this happen, as usually it would always go into 4-low - I suppose it might have been frozen up, but it had only been one day since I'd used it.

2 - I'm not sure if this is normal, but my truck really isn't "shift on the fly" unless my hubs are in the locked position. If I try to shift it into 4wd while I'm moving and the hubs are in the 'auto' position, I get this horrible grinding noise coming from the front end...and after a few seconds of grinding, it thunks into 4wd hard enough that the whole truck jerks a bit. It does go *into* 4wd, but it gives the distinct impression that it'll only do it a couple times before I blow out one of the hubs. Normally this isn't a problem for me, as 99% of the time I shift into 4wd while I'm stopped. If I put the hubs in the 'lock' position, then I can shift from 2-hi to 4-hi while I'm moving and it isn't a problem.

3 - For those who have said that the ESOF system with the hubs in the 'lock' position is the same as the manual system, I disagree. This morning I was trying to pull out of a gas station parking lot - which was covered with snow - and I couldn't make it up onto the road in 2wd. I had the hubs in the 'lock' position, so I just put it into 4-hi so I could pull out...but that didn't work, as the 4x4 light didn't light up and the truck refused to go into 4-hi. I tried backing up a few feet, rocking the truck back and forth, and even slowly spinning the tires - but the truck would *not* go into 4wd, because the t-case wouldn't shift (since the hubs were in the 'lock' position, I know they weren't the problem). So here I am in a 4x4 truck, stuck in a gas station parking lot because my ESOF system wouldn't shift the t-case into 4-high. The really embarassing part was that the guy that plows the lot (who drives a Chevy) was waiting to turn into the lot from the road, and waved me to pull out so that he could drive into it...but I couldn't pull out, and somewhere out there is a Chevy driver with a good anti-Ford story. Eventually everyone else got annoyed and drove around me, and then I had room to back all the way across the parking lot - and after about 30 feet it *finally* went into 4-hi.

This would not have happened with the manual system - and it proves that even with the hubs in the 'lock' position, the ESOF system can still cause problems. When I take my truck in for warranty work I'm going to have them look at the system and check it out...hopefully they'll be able to get it to work properly. After this morning, I might just ask how much it'd cost to retrofit it back to a manual 4x4 system...

LK

 

LK, Was this on an incline? When I first got my SD it would give me trouble on inclines, even the most modest slopes. I have tried to get someone from the area dealerships to comment on this, but so far, no takers.

I hope that if you decide to keep the ESOF that it will finally come around and start working like it should - I know mine has, but it's quite a bit older than yours.

 

Unless your T case solonoid goes bad, then your kind of screwed.

 

I ordered mine without ESOF. I don't mind getting out and locking the hubs and then pulling it into 4X4. I've had no problems with the manual operation. I keep mine unlocked until I need it.

Although I am sure there are guys who like the convenience of ESOF, I had read about a few problems with it on this site.

Congrats on the new order. Be sure and post some pics

 

Yup, this was on an incline - the parking lot was a foot or two lower than the street, so while the lot itself was flat there was a slight slope up to the street. I could drive around the lot just fine in 2wd, but to pull out I needed to get it into 4wd to make it - and since there wasn't very good visibility, I needed to pull up the edge of the street, stop, and then go from there. Problem is, I didn't know I'd need 4wd until I got up to the street - and then it wouldn't go in, and I had cars behind me waiting so I couldn't back up very far.

I'm only planning to keep this truck 1-2 years and then trade it on another one, so I'll probably just put up with the ESOF problems - but in the meantime I'm going to see if the dealer can do anything about it. If the ESOF system doesn't get any better, I'll just make sure to custom-order the manual system next time. Of all the SDs I looked at, only 2 out of 50+ had the manual system - and neither of those was a crew cab, which was what I'd decided to get. I'd narrowed my search down to a V10 crew cab 4x4 w/4.30 gears - and there weren't many of those out there to choose from. Other than the ESOF problems I love the truck...and like I said, next time I'll just order one and make sure I get exactly what I want.

Forgot to mention: because of problem #2, I've decided just to keep the hubs locked in all winter like I used to do with my trucks with the manual 4x4 system. Considering how much gas this truck uses (350+ gallons a month), what's a little more?

LK

 

You're probably talking a $200 option on a $40,000 truck, if you need to save money - there are other ways to do it. However, I wouldn't get the ESOF. I had one in my 98 Blazer ( ) and while they are convenient, my opinion is they are for light duty use (I think this was xfer case only and the front axles were always engaged, can't remember). There are not many people converting TO shift on the fly, but you can find a kit anywhere to go back to manual. As far as some of the posts suggesting they leave it in all winter, it kills the gas mileage. They should be engaged every once in a while though to keep the front end lubed when not used for an extended period of time. Once a month engage the hubs and go for a short ride, then disengage them. There used to be a commercial showing a guy getting out of his truck in the middle of a river to engage his hubs so he could use 4wd, it goes without saying you engage the hubs when it is likely you will need 4wd, not wait until you're about to shift into it.
IMHO and good luck with the truck!

 

If you were going to go to a manual and ever do any serious off roading, I would consider finding a rebuilt np-205 transfer case. You can find these just about anywhere. I am not totally sure about their adaptability to the 4r100 but I am sure that advance adaptors could probably make this work,however. Then you could make the np-205 into a twin stick t-case fairly easily and cheaply. That would be pretty cool and probably cost the same as having F*** switch it back.

 

Mine has esof and so far it's worked fine. The only complaint is you have to travel maybe 30 yards before it disengages but it's never failed to engage almost instanty.

I use mine in 4wd at least twice a week year round and almost continuosly in the winter when there's snow on the ground. I really believe the esof system works better if you use it often, like once a week.

4LO, you have to stop, shift to neutral and then hit the gas a little bit to get it to go in. No problems. I have no reason not to own another Ford truck with esof.

I had a late-model Chevy Silverado and a 98 Ford Ranger with the same esof setup and it also worked fine. My wife's last three GM SUVs all had ESOF and also never had any troubles with them either. Just my experiences.

I don't mind getting out to lock hubs if I'm in work clothes and boots messing around on my property in mud or snow but I really like the esof when I'm on my way to work in nice clothes and dress shoes.

 

I own a 2001 Crew Cab 4x4 with ESOF... I have never had any problems. It works as advertised on my truck.

Edmo

 

As has been said before, as long as you use your ESOF on a regular basis (at least weekly - you might get away with every other week) it'll probably work just fine. If you only use it for winter weather and/or the occasional off road trip, you can expect to have problems.

I had it on my last truck ('92 F150) and learned my lesson - this truck ('02 F250) has an auto tranny with the manual shift on the fly lever!

When it looks there is a possibility that I'm going to need 4X4 sometime during the trip, I lock my hubs before leaving. when I need 4X4, its just a simple pull of the lever away - every time!

Also, some have mentioned that running with the hubs locked kills your milage - I have not noticed this (at most, maybe a tenth or two). My hubs have been locked since October and I'm still getting 15.5 highway and 12-12.5 around town.


IMHO this is the way to go!

 

Keep in mind, leaving your hubs locked for several months could lead to more wear on the front end but more important for some is it will hurt your fuel milage . If you think of the mechanics of it, by leaving them locked, you are spinning the front differential and the front drive shaft- all fricition losses.


From my owners manual...
Manual 4x4 system (if equipped)
The 4WD system is engaged or
disengaged by rotating the control
for both front wheel hub locks from
the FREE or LOCK position, then
manually engaging or disengaging
the transfer case with the
floor-mounted shifter. For increased
fuel economy in 2WD, rotate both
hub locks to the FREE position.

 

I have a 1991 F250 with automatic hubs and a floor shifter, I don't have a problem with either, I under stand the newer super dutys have no problems with their hubs either, but my dad had a 1994 F150 with auto hubs that needed replaced about 3 times.

 

I know the older trucks used the spring and wedges to shift in and out with torque, but how do the new Super Duty hubs shift?

As for keeping the hubs locked in, we had a 79 F350 that had the hubs locked in for most of it's 22 year life. It was put down last year after a head-on accident with a deere. Not the critter, but the large green kind. The only complaint was it limited tight turns slightly.

 

I pulled my hubs out and sold them for about the cost of the Warn premiums that I bought to replace them. It's kind of a pain to get out, especially at the dunes when you just want to run into town. However, I am pleased with their operation and the fact that no matter what happens they will be replaced without question.

 

I have owned 2 superdutys, 00 F250 and 02 F350. Both have been equiped w/ ESOF. I have never experienced any of the problems that have been stated.

I purchased both fresh off the lot. Traded in "chebbie P71" for the 250. I liked the dial selector vs. the chebbie button ( that is not my only reason for trading). Both vehicles ESOF worked fine from day one. 38000 on 250( before it desided it wanted to be a gymnast) and 54000 0n the 350.

The engagement to 4xH is almost immediate; depending on speed. disengagement @ any speed always requires a momentary throttle lift. I assume that this throttle lift relieves tourque on the drive line.

When engaging/disengaing 4xL, I have always come to a complete stop, shifted into neutral, selected 4xL, never a problem.

I do not use 4x that often, maybe twice a month. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones. I will not hesitate to purchase this option again.