Ok guys i am considering the purchase of a 2008 F240 FX4 crewcab and wanted to know if it would be better to buy it with ESOF (electronic shift on the fly) or just leave the option out and have a manual 4x4 shifter. Also where would it be mounted for the FX4 with floor console. And if i get the ESOF would i still have to deal with manual locking hubs?

 

Well both have there ups and downs but you dont have to lock in your hubs anymore they all come stock auto hubs so all you have to do is switch the dial esof or shift the shifter for manual transfer case

 

not having to deal with the vacuum operation of the esof sure would be a plus. i would get the manual if i were ordering a truck. finding one on the lot is impossible, much like with a manual transmission.

 

never heard of the f240 ...is it the diesel?

 

I go manual hubs and manual transfer case.

All you need to do is lock your hubs if you think you may need 4 wheel drive anytime during your trip. SOme guys up here in the north country leave their hubs locked all winter. When you need 4 wheel drive all you do is pull the lever back one notch.

The level will be on the transmission hump, on the far left of the hump but within easy reach of the driver. The "console" does not project out much beyond the front edge of the front seats.

 

Take it from someone who has owned both in their lifetime & I am not taking the $180 price difference into any consideration at all. I would get the all manual 4x4 system, not the ESOF. 10-20% of the time mine does not want to go into 4x4 (only when stopped or already stuck) without a little bit of babysitting (switch to 4x4 in Park and after 1 minute nothing happens, then put it into 2WD and do a quick spin-out in Drive, then put into Neutral and switch to 4x4 and after 1 minute nothing happens, then put it into 2WD and do a quick spin-out in Reverse, then put into Drive and switch to 4x4.......... I know it sounds crazy but I try different combinations and it eventually works). The ESOF works best (or should I say flawlessly) when already moving. The dealer does not want to do anything until it becomes a constant problem (basically they try it themselves several times without any luck).

My ESOF has the AUTO/LOCK hubs. The AUTO means that it will do whatever the dash switch is set to. LOCK just locks the hubs but does not do anything for the transfer case. If the vacuum hubs go out, then there is obviously at least a back-up plan. If the transfer case motor goes out, then you are screwed. Also there are fuses, relays, wiring..... way too many possibilities for failures.

I dont know about the FX4 question.

 

Manual all the way. 1st rule of good engineering: KISS

 

Problems with ESOF.... It does sound crazy but I try different things and mine will work too, whereas it wouldnt before. In bad weather (snow/ice) situations you are willing to do ANYTHING to get it into 4WD; stand on your head, jump up and down, run in circles, etc. With this in mind, I thought it would be cool to start a poll: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...l-or-esof.html

 

Well, I will give my 2 cents in favor of ESOF. I have an early 99 F-350 that I bought in April of 98, so it's over 9 years old and over 100k miles. My ESOF has worked perfectly, and I use it almost every week...but maybe thats why. I live in the desert with dirt roads and sand everywhere. I never wait till I'm already stuck, because if it even looks like I might have trouble I just turn the switch and it locks in about 1 second later, if that. It's great for the wife also, I have an early Bronco as well, and she just can't figure out the whole lock in the hubs, fight with the lever to get it in, back up to take the bind off everything so it will come out process. With ESOF just a click either way and you're done.

 

Sorry about the F240 thing but i am just going to order the truck so i can have the manual option, and i think i will just keep the hubs locked. Would that effect the hubs in any way if they are always locked or should i just unlock them when i park

 

That's funny... I had a truck that was legally registered for almost 20 years as a Ford F-154. It was the world's only one that I know of. Someone at DMV must have typed it in wrong the first time around and the renewal is computer generated so it stayed that way the whole time I owned it right up to when I called the junk yard to come get it....

 

Well i guess everyone loves having the manual t-case, is there anything i should know about using a manual t-case and by the way this will be a 6.4l Diesel and will come with tow command and auto trans (truck will be used for towing, hauling, and recovery vehicle)

 

Any reason why you wouldn't step up to a F-350, since your going to be hauling, towing, recovery? Go with the manual hub, t-case. That way I will be able to find one in few years when I want 6.4L with manual hubs.

 

well the only reason i went F250 is because there is no difference between the 250 and 350 SRW in towing it is only when you jump to the F350 DRW that towing increase a little. Really i first wanted an F450 but money is not on my side when it comes to getting one so i will stick to the F250. Plus i do not have room at my house for a DRW truck

 

for the duties you listed, i would most definetly go with the f-450!! you get higher tow ratings, and much heavier payload ratings as well. another nice feature is the 19.5 inch wheels (think UPS, Fedex, etc.). you can run tires for far more mileage than the 17",18" or 20" that come on all of the other trucks. if you were to upgrade to a set of Rickson 19.5" wheels for a F250 or f350, that would run around $2000 for aluminum. that's without the tires! i'd scale down on the luxury items or trim level to get the f-450 if money is an issue. they are truelly not that much more expensive.