Electronic vs. Manual shift 4x4

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Oct 16, 2004 | 08:50 PM

tpetty

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Electronic vs. Manual shift 4x4

Can someone explain to me the pros & cons of the electronic shift on the fly vs the manual for the 4x4? My previous truck was a '99 150. It had a manual stick for the 4x4 - but I didn't have to do anything with hubs.

I'm not a fan of relying on electrics when a simple lever will work - BUT am I correct that using the manual in the F250 requires you to get out of the truck into the mud and lock the hubs? This seems like a step backward from my '99 - but I must be missing something.

Oct 17, 2004 | 08:14 AM

82F100SWB

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From: Dryden, ON, Canada

Your 99 didn't have hubs, it had a center axle disconnect system.
The electric shift Super Duties have a vacuum operated locking hub with a manual backup.
Manual trucks are just that, manual shift t-case, manual locking hubs.
I still don't understand why people always use the "get out of the truck into the mud" complaint about manual hubs... It's not that hard to figure out that you might need 4x4 and lock 'em in before hand... Heck, I've only unlocked the hubs on my 86 4 times since I've owned it...

Oct 17, 2004 | 08:23 AM

pancartom

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Joined: May 2003

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ESOF works great, when it works. the biggest pain is that you usually don't know it it isn't going to work till you need it and it doesn't. i had 120k on my 99 with it, and it failed once. i replaced the hub seals at 80k, and never had another problem till i traded it in.

Oct 17, 2004 | 09:17 AM

RIS

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From: Kiln, MS.

I have manual and as 82f100swb said you know when your going off road. Take a second and lock em. If you didn't need em so be it and unlock em.

Oct 17, 2004 | 09:30 AM

deacjrt

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: Orange Park, FL

I use the same method. I ordered my truck with manual so when I want 4x4 I know it is there. If I think I might need it, I lock well beforehand so I don't have to get out of the truck.

Oct 17, 2004 | 09:45 AM

Daryl Hunter

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Carlsbad, California

A nice trick which I learned from this site is to leave the hubs unlocked and then shift to 4Low when backing your trailer. Then you're not dealing with any binding of the transfer case.

I've been doing it for a while with the ESOF on my truck but only in cases where I'm pretty much pushing the trailer straight back up a hill. Once I saw this posted it made perfect sense and I'm thinking about an auto hub lock bypass just for the towing in 4Low situation.