I have always had manual lock-in hubs. Does the ESOF system work?

 

It always worked on my '01 without any issues.

 

Mine seams to work ok,except to get the hubs to fully disengage right away you have to back up and zig zag slightly.

 

On our '00 X, which then transmogrified into an '03 F250, it's always worked flawlessly. There are definitely more things to go wrong with it than a fully manual system, but it's also way easier to use as long as it is working. A lot of problems come from lack of use. Spin the hub ***** occasionally so they don't get stuck, and put it into 4Hi on a straight stretch of road for a bit every once in a while if you're not otherwise using it, just to keep things from siezing up from lack of use.

The hubs need to have pressure released from them to unlock, so if you are accelerating in 4Hi and then turn it to 2Hi while still accelerating, the hubs aren't going to release. Backing off on the throttle will allow them to release, and certainly backing up and zig-zagging would work too, though it's not necessary to do that if it's not convenient!

Duncan

 

I've never had a problem with mine, it works like a charm. (Knocking on wood. )

Like was said, just put it into 4Hi now and then if you're off the pavement, it keeps everything lubed and working smoothly.

Waxy

 

Same here, 4.5 years of using mine and it's worked every time (knock on wood).

 

I can't say I have had that much luck with mine. I have had my truck fixed 3 times, twice for new hubs, and once for an air leak. The system still leaks and the hubs only unlock automatically if I drive in reverse or get out and switch the hubs to lock and then back to auto. If I have more problems this winter they will be replaced with aftermarket lock out hubs.

 

Worked on my 2000 & 2002 F-150 FX4's and currently works on my '04 SD PSD FX4.

Never have any problems except when the car wash guys get cute and and switch it to 4 low. The immediate high RPMs always get my attention.

 

1991 Explorer, 1999 Expedition, 2002 Expedition, 2003 Super Duty.

All had ESOF and they all worked and "work" great.

 

I have ESOF and was very certain that I would hate it and was very ticked off that I had to have this system on the 01 Platinum.

I deliberatly ordered my 05 with ESOF. Maintained properly it works every time and I love not getting out to twist hub locks. That should answer that question.

There is only one feature of the ESOF that sucks.... you can not put the transfer case in neutral for four down towing utility.


01f350

Just curious, if the only fault with your auto front hubs is the vacuume actuators why would you change them out for manual ones instead of just removing and plugging the vacuume lines?

I have seen this idea several times over the last few years and never understood what is gained by replacing with the strictly manual unit if the fault is the auto lock function.

I fully understand why some 'wheelers change out to the Warn Heavy duty hubs, there are several versions that have a much higher hold anti shear capacity. And sometimes the factory part is hosed up so there is a decision between expensive automatic hubs or much cheaper manual hubs..

But it seems interesting to me that some folks just want to get rid of the automatics because that had a problem with the vaccume part of the system. I wonder if they understand that without the vaccume pulse the hub behaves exactly like any other manual hub and it is rated higher than some of the cheaper replacements.