4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

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Sep 30, 2001 | 03:57 PM

Vaccuum

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Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Los Angeles, CA

4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

I've not heard favorable comments on the 4x4, Shift-On-The-Fly feature on F-250's. What's the word on just having manual hubs only? I will only use 4x4 once in great while, but when I do use it, it will be without question needed.

Oct 1, 2001 | 08:30 AM

Darren

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4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

As having driven both automatic and manual hubs, I can honestly say that I prefer the automatic. For hardcore 4 wheeling, manual hubs are simpler and therefore tougher. Lets be honest, the most of us aren't climbing over boulders, we are driving through slop. And this is where the manual hubs can really suck. I hate having to climb in and out of mud to get to the hubs. It is also avantage to be able to switch back to 2WD If you are on a long trip in the bush to save fuel. With the manual hubs, I just tended to leave it locked in all the time. That said, If you are going to use 4WD once in a while, manual may not be that bad.

Oct 1, 2001 | 11:02 AM

rob_n_houston

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4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

Me too.

Oct 1, 2001 | 12:07 PM

mjs

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From: MN

4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

For convenience, you can't beat the shift on the fly hubs. That is if they work. Here is a past history of myself and Fords auto hubs

1990 Ranger 4 hubs auto replaced
1992 F150 2 auto hubs replaced
1994 F150 3 auto hubs replaced
1999 F250 2 auto hubs replaced
2001 F250 Only one so far, but the truck is only a year old.

Very little off road included here.

MJS

Oct 2, 2001 | 03:03 PM

btaft

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4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

MJS - I have never had shift on the fly before my new truck. Are you able to know if the sotf is not working before you are actually in slop and need it? In other words is there an obvious symptom as soon as you use the switch. My hubs are pointed to "auto" when in 4x2 and stay in auto when in 4x4. Should they ever point to locked, or is that only for when you find the sotf not working and actually have to manually turn the hubs? This seems sort of basic so maybe I need to review that part of the manual again, but I don't remember it being explained other than -you just turn the **** and everything works fine all the time-. Thanks - Bill

Oct 4, 2001 | 01:37 PM

harald

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Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 417

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From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA

4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

Just keep them in auto unless you want to manually lock them. If the vacume system were to fail, you could manually lock them that way. I've had auto hubs in my last 2 trucks and have had zero problems. My last truck (1990 F150) had the manual shifter and was a pain because you had to back up to unlock the hubs. My new rig is great with the shift on the fly. I love it.

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2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.

Oct 5, 2001 | 09:56 AM

rob_n_houston

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4 X 4 Shift on the fly.

You can run the hubs in LOCK position and still not be in 4wd. You must still switch to 4wd on the dash. This locks the transfercase.

Keep in mind all wheels should be turning at the same speed when you hit 4wd (IE wheels turning or stopped).

Rob