'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

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Oct 5, 2002 | 09:35 AM

Diggr

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'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

This is my third Ranger since late '98, but the first with 4 wheel drive. The supplied manual gives only general information regarding the system and I can't locate any detail at the Ford site. The vehicle details are:

'02 Edge Supercab, 4.0L engine, 5-SPD Auto, 4.10 LS Rear Axle. I've asked the following questions half a dozen times in the last week and gotten as many different answers, three of the answers coming from the dealership in one day. Now to the questions.

1. Is there any limited slip capability in the transfer case? For example, if you put both front tires on ice, will the rear wheels still push?

2. Is the difference between 4X4 Hi and 4X4 Low a gear reduction in the transfer case, or is the control module simply holding the transmission in Low?

3. Is there a limited slip capability in the front differential?

Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Understanding the machinery helps my comfort level a bunch and could even keep me from putting my tail into a situation I can't get out of.

Diggr

Oct 6, 2002 | 07:30 AM

Rand

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From: northeastern ohio

'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Oct-02 AT 08:30 AM (EST)]I have the same thing only xlt instead of edge.
1) Transfer case just puts power to the front and rear so having both front tires on ice means nothing to the back tires.
Its your differential that determines traction to the tires, and you have no "center differential" so front to back are indepentant of each other.
2)4wd low is an actual gear reduction .. I think in the range of 2.8-1 or something like that. So you get the same rpm doing 10mph as 28 in 4wd hi.(you get the idea?)
3) Front differential is Open. You could add limited slip but it would actually hurt your performance while turning and the choices for the front differential are limited.
4) You have a live axle setup where the front driveshaft is always turning .. when you switch it to 4wd it engages the hubs(up to 55mph)
5) You cant drive on dry roads with 4wd on... or you will truely test your drivetrain.

If you have any other questions let er rip and we will try to answer em.

Rand

Disclaimer: This is true to the best of my knowledge. No flames plz.
Anyone with better info please post and correct me(like the transfer
case ratio for 4wd LOW).

Oct 6, 2002 | 08:54 AM

Diggr

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'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

OK Thanks.

I'll buy the non-limited slip dif in the front, so the one tire on the ice gets all the power.

But if the transfer case has no differential action then are both the front and read driveshafts locked together when in 4-wheel? If that's the case, then even with one front on the ice, the rear posi ought to push shouldn't it?

In any case, thanks for being kind enough to jump in and talk. Sure would be nice if Borg-Warner would be willing to explain in detail what that case is doing under there.

Oct 6, 2002 | 04:43 PM

Rand

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'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

Ya it looks like you slightly misunderstood my post. Let me try to clarify it.
You can have both front wheels on ice and 1 rear wheel. and you would still have power to the second rear wheel because of the posi.

You cant buy a front limited slip from the factory. and the add in units are limited in selection for our front ends, most people put some form of locker in the rear end before putting a limited slip in the front. powertrax no-slip(this one unlocks in turns) etc.

Yes the front and back are locked together. which is why you cant have 4wd on dry pavement( when you turn...the wheels turn at different rates if your traction is good something has to give.. your traction or your drivetrain.)Some of the new systems feature a sort of center differential so they can function on dry pavement perfectly well.(ours does not)

Btw just a note a limited slip is by no means a locker. if you have one tire in the air the other wont turn well. If you want more info you might check out some offroad boards I'm sure you could find alot of good posts on the subject.

Rand

Oct 6, 2002 | 05:47 PM

Diggr

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'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

Thanks for the reply. Seems it's working like I thought. FTR I was aware that limited slip and lockers are two different beasts. Limited slip at the front end would be nice but I guess that if it were that important I would have bought a Hummer in the first place. At least I'm comfortable with the explanation and I thank you for the help and the time you invested. Take care.

Oct 18, 2002 | 12:07 PM

edge01

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'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

Hey Rand,
I have a 01 Edge 4x4 with the 4.0. It came with Goodyear Wrangler RT/S's. Giving the gas pedal a quick press 1/2 to 3/4 down or more lights the up tires something fierce. Would putting it in 4 wheel high help transfer some of the power to the front so the rear would'nt smoke so bad and get me moving forward faster without causing trouble with the drive system????? Thanks dude.

Oct 21, 2002 | 01:56 PM

mrneidel

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From: arlington usa

'02 Ranger 4X4 System Operation

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Oct-02 AT 02:59 PM (EST)]i tried to get my tires to bark in four wheel high and low, in the rain, and they won't do it.

2002 xlt model and same tires.

beware of wip-lash though. the couple of times i tried it i got real disorientated for a few seconds.