How do ya'll like the electric shift transfer case compared to manual shift? Is the electric capable of 'shift on fly' and how does it do that? Synchronizers or something?

Thanks

 

I have the electric shift on my 2002 F350 SC. It seems to work just fine.

For 2 wheel high to 4 wheel high, just turn the **** at speeds below 50-ish mph. If you don't trust the self locking hubs, you can lock them in advance. Do not shift between 2 wheel high to 4 wheel high if there is any wheel slipping, i.e. the rear wheels are turning faster than the front wheels. Some crunching damage can take place.

:-staun

For 4 wheel high to 4 wheel low, you must be stopped, place your foot on the brake and have the transmision in neutral. The electronics look for the brake light signal so you must stomp down that much to get an engagement. Look for the light to confirm you're there.

I like the idea of not having to get out in the muck and lock hubs, so the electric shift is fine with met. I purchased the extended warranty so if electronic things go south I'll let the warranty pay for the fix.

Just be sure to engage the 4 x 4 one a month (or more) to keep things free and working.

RichF350V10

 

Short bt sweet


Manual hubs, with the lever

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-May-02 AT 07:08 AM (EST)]Welcome to Fte!
Saxon!

Well I gotta get my soapbox out,hang on a second!
oh here it is! it's under ANTI-Technology Advancements!

Its been around for 10 yrs and still has the same problems!
Based on my prior expierence with esof ,they suck!!!!!!!
Yes granted when they work ,they're ok ,but when they fail thats another story! Expensive parts wise and a real PITA to diagnose problems!

how it works
a Shift motor rotates a cam which moves the shift fork between 2wh-4whHI or 4wh LO,
it has switches that sense the position of the motor.
as far as the hubs they work on vacuum,which requires that the hub seals don't leak ,at least they came out with a manual overide for when water and dirt get in the hub and prevent it from locking up!

Other than that they suck!

Won't own one my self ever again ! I'll own a horse first!(Monsta showed a pic of my anti-technology jack_______ in another post)
All levers is my way!
Just $.02

Rich





Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

This is my second (technically third- but that's another story) truck with ESOF. We had a '97 Expedition that we off-roaded pretty hard. Neither us nor our other off-roading buddies have ever had any problems with the system even when doing stuff that caused 3 E4OD/4R100 transmissions to fail! I don't "wheel" in the F350, but ESOF has worked perfectly in it (and previous F250) for the past couple of Winters.

Other than vacuum related problems (seals or lines) which can be overcome by manually operating the hubs, the current system seems to me to be pretty well-designed. Of course, YMMV!

 

Refer to my post on page 5. I recently went through Hell on my electronic shift to the tune of $500.00 most of which was diognostic procedures. I will agree with most that manual is the way to go for most applications, depending on how much you use your 4-WD. when I bought my SD in 2000 I ordered it with the electronic shift because I never had one before and wanted to try it out. It works better now than it ever did thanks to the persistance of a very good Tech at the Ford Dealership. I think I would order it again because it is quite convienant to use even though it is a some what complicated system with the numerous relays on the system.:-X23

 

Mine is still funky. It works "most" of the time, but it's failed to engage twice now, and when I've REALLY needed it. I've got 5000 miles on the truck. 4x4 functions normally 99.9% of the time. Yesterday I was only trying to drive up on my service ramps, I spend 10 @$%@#$% minutes driving in circles and turning it on and off to get the 4x4 light to come on. While it's just easier to climb over the little 3" hump in 4x4, I could have driven it up without 4x4... but it became the principle of the thing.

Since the first incident it's worked flawlessly, I've put the boat in/out and or moved it etc... about 8 times, I always use the 4x4 to move it or pull it up the ramp etc. Only use 4x2 when towing on the road.

switch to 4x4 = no light, no clunk.
Shaft turns freely
drive a bit, straight, in circles
Shaft turns freely
Then... "clunk" now the shaft won't turn so the hubs are locked, 4x4 light is NOT on. I tried to climb a 1 foot shear dirt bank, won't go, no xfer case engaged... after I was about to take a hammer to something the light magically came on... worked perfectly for the next 10 tries. I know it's not leaving it sit because I'd just used the 4x4 the day before to return my boat to the slip behind the house.

I'm REALLY wishing I just had a friggin lever at this point.

Robert

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-May-02 AT 12:03 PM (EST)]My first truck was all manual ('84 F150 4X4 4spd Manual 4wd). Never had a problem. When I got ready to go somewhere where I thought I might need 4WD, I'd lock my hubs in before I went in. Then when I needed 4wd, I'd pull the lever and everything worked great.

My second truck was all automatic ('92 F150 auto ESOF). After about 5 years, I started having problems with the ESOF. It would refuse to go into 4WD if I didn't go out at least once a week and start it up and push the button - as long as I did that it was fine. Also, once in a while the auto hubs would not engage (the '92 auto locking hubs did not have the option of locking them in manually)

My current truck (spec'ed out below) has the auto tranny and the manual 4wd - in other words, for me, the best of both worlds.

I drive to the hunt club or the beach with the hubs unlocked. When I get there I lock the hubs. I then go where I want to go and do what I want to do. If I need 4WD, I reach down and pull the lever. When I get ready to go home, I unlock the hubs and away I go....

As far as shift on the fly, it basically works the same as long as you have your manual hubs locked in ahead of time (as stated in previous appends above, in either case, your speed needs to be below 50ish - IMHO going over 50 and suddenly needing 4WD is a situation that should be avoided). With the lever, you just reach down and pull it back into 4wHI and keep on truckin'. With the ESOF, you reach over, push the button (or turn the **** - on the '92 it was a button) and keep on truckin'.


Gary M.

2002 F250 SD, SC, SB, 4x4, 6.8L v10, 3.73LS, 4spd Auto, Reverse Aid Sensor, Class IV Hitch, Offroad Package, Manual Hubs, 40/20/40 Bench Seat, Camper Package, Lariat, White, Putco Locker Side Rails, Mud Flaps, K&N Filter, Vent Visors....

 

ESOF works fine when it works and they do charge you extra for it. However, the factory put in backup manual hubs for when it doesn't work and they never put in extra-cost parts if they don't think they are necessary. That should tell you what you need to know. Go with the lever right next to that other lever on the floor...

 

My ESOF engages and works without a problem. The problem I have with mine is disengaging...it often won't disengage completely and I get a clicking and clunking sound from the front end when turning. I have to engage/disengage the system and drive forwards/reverse several times for it to finally disengage.

Knowing what I know now I'd get a manual system.

 

I thought i'd bring this to the top again ,seems My anti Technology
has some merit here!
''''
In my younger days they said I was a trouble maker ,just thought I'd
keep up the image.

Only 1 person said they didn't have a problem!(nomo who is that guy anyway must not drive his truck in bad weather)
''''

Yeti! your turn!


Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

I'll jump on the manual shift bandwagon. When I need 4 wheel drive, I want to make sure I have it, with no problems, and flipping the hubs manually, pulling a big 'ol lever, and feeling the transfer case go into gear, sure gives me that warm-fuzzy confident feeling, that turning a little plastic ****, does-not. We have the electronic 4x4 on our local Sheriff's department Search and Rescue trucks, and whenever we use 4x4, one of us is always asking "are you sure it's in 4 wheel drive?", "are you sure it's locked?", not a real confidence builder. No problems so far with the ESOF on these trucks, just the 'piece of mind issue'.
Mark Peterson '02 F-250 CrewCab, SB, V10

 

>I thought i'd bring this to the top again ,seems My anti
>Technology
>has some merit here!
>''''

I'll go along with that!

 

NoMo,
I think some of these guys still use 8 track tapes

 

I do but their wearing out !
''''




Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville