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I did the same thing "sucktin" did. Ran wires straight from the fuse box under the hood to a switch mounted next to the center console under the steering wheel. Winter snow is much more fun with the switch off!! : ) The real reason for adding the switch to disable the AWD was due to a grinding noise I was hearing during gradual acceleration. I guess the problem was the AWD kicking in and out because with the transfer case power turned off the noise is gone. Make sure you use a switch with an amp rating equal to the transfer case fuse under the hood. I bought one with a light on the tip of the switch so I'd know for sure when the AWD is engaged. Good luck.
I will want the AWD in when the weather is questionable. I don't want to wreck a 4x4 on a isolated icy patch.
I never liked my 1998 Blazer because of its being either in 2WD or switched into 4WH or 4WL. Those were your only choices. So when the pavement was mostly dry you had to be in 2HD. And if some unexpected ice appeared you had to hit the 4WH button.
In 1999 or 2000 GM improved this with the 2WD, Auto 4WH, 4WH and 4WL.
So you could use the Auto setting for mostly dry conditions in cold and sometimes slippery conditions.
If this seems to work with out doing any harm to our trucks then we would essentially have what the newer ones have. 2WH for dry and warm weather conditions. AWD for questionable weather or road conditons, 4WH for snow covered or muddy roads ETC. Plus 4WL for extra power in muddy or deep snow conditions.
I read the posts a few topics ago about the 4x4 switchs in older Expys and 1998 & 2000 Expys.
The older Expy has 2WH, AWD, 4WH & 4WL the the 1999 and 2000 have AWD, 4WH & 4WL.
Both of the guys who posted said that their switches had 4 wires. Does anyone know why the 3 switch position switches have 4 wires like the 4 position switches?
Which 3 position switch setting has 2 wires on it?
Do we just need to unplug the right colored wire and put it on a 4 postion switch to do this in a way that would look stock?
We need some input from a 4 position switched Expy on what color wire is on 2WH.
Thanks
Last edited by jejenkins; Feb 19, 2004 at 02:44 AM.
The big deal isn't with the switch itself, but how your GEM is programmed. The GEM gets a resitance reading from the switch and acts accordingly (engages 4H, 4L, etc). Just putting in a 4-pos switch will not guarantee all 4 settings for your vehicle.
Jejenkins, you hit it on the head...I can turn the switch "on" and I'm back to the factory mode. Just like fordfan said, I had the same issue with odd noises from the transfer case in A4wd under a load/acceleration. Do a search on "Front differential noise"...there are some good threads. With this new 2WD, i am free of all noise.
Good luck!
The selector switch runs directly to the GEM so it is not possible to simply rewire a 3 position switch for the 4 position one. What you want, if you want to do it correctly, is the brown wire modification as done in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...navigator.html
Cutting into the brown wire like this instead of the fuse keeps power to the shift motor and only cuts power to the front clutch.
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