Are these things any more or less reliable than the lever operated transfer cases? Did Ford ever discontinue the levers or were the dash mounted buttons just an option? Im asking because Im looking at a 95 with this electronic setup, with manual locking hubs. Is there much difference between the 95's and 96's? Not sure if its a 302 or 351 if that makes a difference.

 

I don't think the button makes much of a difference in reliability, but auto hubs are definately less reliable than manual hubs. Sounds like someone already converted the truck that you are looking at to manual hubs, though. The button was just an option. My '96 still has the lever.

 

The push-button 'cases are garbage. Actually nothing wrong w/the 'case, just the shift motor. Constant failures. They're right up there w/auto hubs and TFI modules. And trust me, it'll only fail when you really need it (how often do you shift to 4x4 when you DON'T need it??).

There's usually big differences between '95 and '96. The '95 could be mass air (MAF), but the '96 definitely is. '96 was also first year of OBD-II per the feds. More complication IMO.

 

I have a '94 with the pushbutton T-case, and manual hubs. It has always worked when needed. All the newer models have the switch, just like our Expy. Levers stopped in '96, except with the F-250 and F-350. Several people have stated the t-case motors go bad, but I haven't heard from anyone yet about the motor's going out. I would say they are fairly reliable, but you always know with the lever. More of a personal preference IMHO.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/1902.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/2021.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/1458.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/1193.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/1155.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/1134.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/784.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/584.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/131.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/75.html

To the original poster: these will answer your original question about whether or not the push-button 4WD is problematic. I was mistaken, it's not just the shift motors that are unreliable, but rather every component in the system from the switch to the wiring to the relays to the control module to the shift motor. Bottom line if any one of these decides not to work you have no 4wd. Contrast this to pulling a lever. Yes, hi-mileage manual 'cases can have problems, too, but diagnosis is more straightforward and it's more likely you can "coerce" a manual case in or out of 4WD instead of arguing w/an electrical component which has died (dead electrical components don't listen well LOL).

Come to think of it you could use my above argument in favor of carbs and against EFI but I love my EFI. Guess I'm a hypocrite.

 

holy *****

 

my son's 97 F 150 4x4 has the lever w/auto hubs.
I've been using his truck for 2 days now; should I gas it up?
or is it "payback" time?...lol

 

Has anyone ever converted a push button t-case to a lever shifted one? I have a 94 Bronco and while under it the other day I noticed the knock out for the t-case lever in the floor. I also read in a Haynes manual that these are the same t-cases. Just some are push button and some are lever activated. If you do away with the electric motor and such will the computer not like you very much and give some type of light or something??

Definitely do not fillup that truck AIM. Payback time.

 

Yo Marriedguy,
I just saw this post by "92 Bronco":
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/bigbronco/1902.html

"...I also have the "push buttom" or had ,,

It is easy to just swap out the transfer case and put in a mannual shift one - You did not state what year you have - but the majorty of Broncos , 80's through early 90's have the BW 13 56 - the bw 13 56 comes in both the push buttom and manual shift - same transfer case just differnt shift -

go to a junk yard and buy the manual shift transfer case - then swap them ,, two months ago I paid $400 for everything - the transfer case shifter inside boot etc.

some benefits of the manual are you can now tow the vehical using the neutral transfer case setting - you will always be able to shift - remember the electric motor could fail when you are off road and you may not get back - with the manual you can always climb under and shift it

if you can not find one let me know - the yunk yard I brought mine at had lots of them"