Basic 4 wheel drive question
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
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Basic 4 wheel drive question
My ESOF has 3 positions which are 2wheel, 4wheel High, and 4 wheel low. The manual says that when the hubs are set to the “lock” position that it overrides the ESOF. Does that really mean that when the hubs are locked that it is in 4 wheel drive and that power is sent to the front wheels even though the switch is in the 2wheel position?
A friend has a 4x4 06F250PSD without the ESOF. His 4x4 engages via a floor stick. He said that when his hubs are locked but the stick is in 2wheel drive that it does not power the front hubs. DO the 2 really work differently?
A friend has a 4x4 06F250PSD without the ESOF. His 4x4 engages via a floor stick. He said that when his hubs are locked but the stick is in 2wheel drive that it does not power the front hubs. DO the 2 really work differently?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
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If your hubs are locked and the ESOF is not in the 4-wheel high or low,this will only spin your transfercase. If you are driving around town your fuel milage will suffer and also preamature wear on both the axle and the T-Case. Not a good practice. The ESOF has to be selected in order to lock the T-case so that the 4x4 will work.Take care.
Country
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
No they don't work differently. By manually locking the hubs, you are overriding the ESOF's ability to vacuum lock and unlock the hubs. However, if the switch is not in 4wd then there is no power directed to the front wheels. Remember the transfer case must be engaged for that, and the switch must be in a 4wd position for that to occur.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
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Ok. So the obvious question is why even have a hub lock/unlock position? Is it because of the possibility that the vacum line to the hub could get damaged; and if damaged then locking the hubs would be the only way to get 4wheel drive when the selector switch is set to 4 wheel high or low?
Is the Tcase engaged via vacum lines also?
Is the Tcase engaged via vacum lines also?
Posting Guru
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Maybe someone at Ford actually thought ahead and forsaw this as a potential problem. Well I actually worked for Ford for several years. Based on my research thru the Ford manuals, the axles will act almost like a limited slip when engauged automaticaly via the ESOF. When you feel you are going to encounter more serious terrain, heavy mudd, snow,Sand etc your advised to lock the axles Manualy for better Traction/Positive engaugement of the Front axle. Is this true? I'm not sure. But this is Fords reasoning behind the option. Take Care; Country
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are you supposed to be able to manually lock both sides ?i have never been able to turn driver side on my 02 excursion,passenger side turns easily.thanks
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Post Fiend
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From: 21791
Konan, i had the same problem as you. I went ahead and pulled the stock hubs out, and replaced them with Warn Premium manually locking hubs. No worries about vacuum leaks in my HVAC system, they look great and they do their job well. $180.
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so if you want 4 wheel drive you just manually turn them and no need to use dashboard switch?or am i not understanding ,i would have no problem doing that just want to make sure i know what im getting into..thanks for the help.
Post Fiend
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From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by konan
so if you want 4 wheel drive you just manually turn them and no need to use dashboard switch?or am i not understanding ,i would have no problem doing that just want to make sure i know what im getting into..thanks for the help.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by konan
are you supposed to be able to manually lock both sides ?i have never been able to turn driver side on my 02 excursion,passenger side turns easily.thanks