I'm helping a friend look for an Explorer and I've driven two lately. While testing the car out, I turn into a tight circle and make a few passes. I started out doing this in both "Auto" (2 wheel drive) and in "4 High" (4 wheel drive). The purpose of this is to try to ensure that the front differential has engaged. (I know its not supposed to be done on the dry pavement)

One of the cars I drove was a 1999 4.0 and when I did this, the you could feel the car struggle a bit as it tried to push the tires around the circle I was making. I was pretty satisfied with the sounds and feel.

The car I just finished driving is a 1996 4.0 and when I ran the same test the car performed more like my 1996 5.0 AWD. I didn't notice the tires trying to bite and hold to the road. It quietly and easily continued the turn. I then put the car in 4 Wheel Low. (yes, I know you aren't supposed to do this on dry pavement either, but its just for testing) At this point in time I noticed the car was biting while I tried to complete a turn.

My question is this:
Shold I be concerned at how easily the 1996 was able to navigate the circles? I'm willing to say the 4x4 system is working because when I put it in 4 Low, it seemed to bite. I'd be willing to guess that the 1999 is different somehow, but I don't know it which way.

Side notes:
The 1996 has a slight "knock" that I can feel, not hear when I was over 25 mph. It seemed to only occur in "Auto" not "4 High", but then again I was driving this thing in the middle of SF during lunch hour (yeah not my best idea ever, but we'll hit the freeway if my buddy wants to move forward).

The 1999's "4WD" and "4WD Low" lights blink and I can't get it to shift into 4 Low. I think this is only an issue with the 4 Low system and shouldn't affect the 4High performance.

Any ideas?


Thanks in advance!



--Jonathan