I'm fixing to upgrade from an 89 F150 to a new 6.0, and have been checking up on problems I've found others having here; one that I haven't heard anything about is any reliability problems with the electronic 4x4 shift; around my truck's time, the electronic shift was junk, and was wondering if anyone's had problems with their shift-on-the-fly's. btw, test drove a 6.0 the other day in some serious mountains, and it never even blinked, was amazed at their power :-)

 

I have the electronic 4x4 and I like you heard bad stories. But so far it has worked fine. I have had it in the mud and slippery conditions on boat ramps, etc. I have 18,000 mile on it since I bought it last August.

 

the shift on the fly is not very good if u actually use 4dig. i dont know anyone who likes it except those who dont use it.

3 friend HAD 'em but got the real lever and manual hubs on their new ones.

my 550 doesnt even have the option

 

My last 3 Ford gassers all had shfit on the fly and worked great. + never spun a tire on the little bit of ice we've had here. Have it on the 6.0 but no chance to use yet except far a little mud hole at the property.

The boys at the car wash like to get me every once in awhile and flip it to 4 wheel low and laugh watching me pull out of the drive at about 4500 RPM & 20 MPH and the front end groaning like and old wider woman.

 

I put 65,000 miles on my '01 SD with shift on the fly. Three winters in MN. Many mornings below -20F and a few below -25F. Snow and ice for 5 months each winter. It never gave me a moments problem.

 

ever plow w/ it?

 

i use mine about 3 times a month. in fact, just yesterday went up a stream bed, and had to use 4 lo........ first time since i have used it that it came right out! i was amazed, it is usually a 3-5 minute ordeal of nuetral, backing up, going forward, park, and all over again ten times before it will go back into 4hi.

i would not want this truck without the SOTF setup!
who wants to get out when its 20 degrees out, lock the hubs so you can back out of the driveway, get back out to unlock em to drive to work??????

not to mention, on my commute home in the winter, i go from 400' above sea level, to 3k, then back to 2300, then up to 4000'.... sometimes i hit sticking snow 3 times each way, that alot of gettin in and out.....

 

I have used my ESOF almost weekly since purchasing the truck and have had no issues. It did take getting used to how it works compared to the manual shift that I have had before. It does not instantaniously lock in or out and I think that as long as you read the manual and understand how it works that alot of people are okay with it, some are not. I don't like the fact that the 4x4 dash light goes on and off with the switch and not with the locking mechanism.

 

I have been stranded by auto hubs and shift-on-fly in a 97 f150. They didn't work when needed and a long muddy walk followed to find someone to pull us out. That was my first and last experience with auto hubs and ESOF (you never get a second chance to make a first impression). I believe it turned out to be a broken or failed vacuum hose. (my brothers truck)

When I ordered my 04 f350 lariat CC I ordered it with manual hubs and manual transfer case and manual transmission. Just my preference.

 

Dont overlook the fact that all of the new, automatic locking hubs can also be manually locked. Just as described as by 569104, autos can fail. However, with the new ones, if they do, you can get out and lock them back just as you can the manual ones. As for the shift-on-the fly, I have had two trucks with them, buried one of them in some pretty deep mud, and never had it fail. However, this is just my experience. I have heard of the earlier model ones short out in water; however i dont believe the newer style ones have this problem.

 

Newer ones are vacuum controlled. At least they are on my 03. Also I have the manual lock position on the hubs.

 

When i plow i lock the hubs in. I feel more confident than if they were in auto.

 

Auto hubs with manual locks wont help a bit if the transfere case does'nt shift ! ,,manual all the way here on my SD, ,I bet I looked and walked past 50 trucks, that had ESOF,,, no time for electrical or vacum BS , when the phone rings at 3:00 am to go plow snow !! So far my 97' Expedition has worked fine with the ESOF, has 115 k on it,,,But I always wonder if it is going to work, the next time I need it ??????

Buy what you want,,, Later,,,,,,,Mark

 

I have driven mine for 10 months and used the electronic shift on the fly a lot without a problem. First time using 4wd low while hunting it wouldn't come out of low range and so as a last resort we read the manuel and guess what - nothing to it! Do what the manuel says and it works every time!

 

Fell out of my chair laughing, that sure is a guy thing, we will sit and curse at the unit, and everyone who designed it, built it, and sold it.......then read the instructions.............I have done that myself.