all i know is that when my mom or i would drive that expe in the snow i couldn't help but like how all the sudden i felt the front tires grab and pull me up hill and through turns. i go 4 hi just from habit or comfort i dont know why but when i tried the auto 4wd i was pleasently surprised

 

Thank you, for adding, its just easier for those that are not sure... just makes life a bit simpler for those that dont know sometimes...

 

The problem isn't with making these systems as options for people that need them, it's with making them standard equipment that must be taken whether you want them or not.

 

i dont think that they will make that the only option.... like my rents old 98 explorer was AWD but it had the 5.0 in it. That was the only way to get the 5.0, but they had the v6 models with selectable 4x4.

Because of milage i doubt you will ever see a awd only SUV or pickup

 

You got my point exactly.

The way it is now you get the system whether you want it or not. It would be ok if Auto 4X4 or AWD is an option. I cringe when the rear wheel slips and the front wheels engage and jarr the drivetrain. Not good for longevity in my book.

As for Auto 4X4 or AWD in I truck.....I say definatly NO.

I drove (Still have the truck) on a 74' F-100 2wd 4spd on the floor for many many years in bad weather. Tons of weight in the back, lower tires pressure and even adding chains still can mean a white knuckle ride, especially when you have to stop. Its just nice to have 4X4.

I had a relative that had an older Expedition with AWD and got rid of it because he got tired of 10mpg all the time.

 

i never felt a jar from the front wheels kicking in and the auto 4x4 shouldn't hurt your mpg that badly considering it is not turning the front wheels unless the rear is slipping so the only addition is the weight that is present on any other 4x4

 

Guys (and gals?):


What I would like to see is a four position transfer case; 2Hi - normal best economy driving with no slippery conditions, AWD - for fulltime use on inclement roads, 4Hi and 4Lo for when a locked transfer case is required.

I've driven the AutoTrac GM system which isn't really full time AWD system with power going to all four of the wheels all of the time even when on dry pavement. I believe the many of these "AWD" systems are RWD and if slippage occurs at the rear wheels then the transfer case locks up in 4Hi sending power to the front wheels until there is no more slippage (front and rear wheels turning the same speed). At that point the vehicle returns back to RWD only as there is no viscous coupling or other means of slip in the transfer case to allow use of all wheels driven on dry pavement. Without slip you'd tear up the transfer case on dry pavement due to driveline binding or wind-up.

So without some slippage there won't be any torque sent to the front wheels in the AUTO position; this is why the vehicle sometimes feels squirrelly until power is sent to the front wheels and traction/vehicle stability is regained (especially if the vehicle is driven hard).

I would hope for a transfer case like on the new Toyota Sequioa where there is some form of slippage in the transfer case (to allow use of 4WD on dry pavement which I wouldn't do but my wife might!) but also a means of locking the transfer case to get true 4Hi and 4Lo when you want it.

I want the AWD position to provide power all of the time to all four wheels (thus some form of slippage or differentiation must be present in the transfer case to allow speed differentiation between front and rear wheels) and not be a RWD shifting power to the front wheels when required system. My van always has power going to all wheels (even on dry pavement) and is very surefooted as a result.

DDL

 

Just put the truck in 4X4 Hi.

 

I know if my wife drove the truck that she would never shift the Xfer case so that is why a convenient idiot proof AWD setting would be nice.

DDL

 

actually the new exped has 4 positions for 4wd, 2hi 4 auto 4hi 4lo.... what im not getting is if the auto isnt really auto and it just engages 4hi on the fly wouldnt there be bind in the system. i know if im on the gas and click it to 4hi my system will bind up, also are the front hubs locked or they auto?

 

Yes there would be bind in the system but the hope is that the system wouldn't engage on dry pavement as there wouldn't be any slip (and thus no need to send power to the front wheels). If there is enough slip for the system to engage then there is enough slip to allow some speed differentiation between front to rear which would prevent binding.

DDL

 

I have the Auto/4hi/4lo on the '98 Explorer. It worked well in Auto on the Grapevine with snow and slush/ice on the pavement. On wet pavement, it seems to come on if you gas it in the corners, and is minimally noticable.

 

yeah it doesnt bind because it is designed to shift on the fly auto hubs and electronic engage and because there is slippage when the front tires engage. You really are in 2wd when auto 4wd is selected but once the rear starts to slip the computer shifts the transfer case to send power to all 4 wheels and the auto hubs lock

 

I liked the true AWD I had in my old Explorer, which has the torque bias of 65% rear and 35% in the front. It would never bind and would transfer power nearly 100% to either front or rear axle as conditions warrants. Besides driving in the worst conditions, true AWD helps a lot in dry handling as well.

My previous Expedition has the Auto 4x4, which I was not happy about because of the way they operated. It was never smooth to begin with as far as engagement was concerned. Either the brochure or the manual of its operation saying that it was smooth were misleading at best. I often had to put in 4H in poor driving conditions and back to AUTO in better spots to avoid binding, especially in turns.

I am wondering if the Harley Davidson models uses the same Auto 4x4 function, which Ford now calls them AWD, unfortunately. I was not able to find an answer in the documentations of that model.

 

Hands down, the best vehicle I have ever had for good traction in all weather conditions was a 2000 Olds Bravada. What a great drive system for road use.
It is a compleatly different animal than 4 wheel drive. Each have thier benefits. If they could have a vehicle that had the best of both of those, it would be quite a machine.