2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

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Jan 30, 2002 | 12:01 PM

alf

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2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

Just wondering how I can tell if my 1999 F150 regular cab 4x4 XL has 2 (rear) wheel or 4 wheel ABS. It was apparently an option for that model year, and I purchased the vehicle used. It has an ABS light on the dash. I appreciate any responses because it apparently makes a difference to my insurance company. They provide a discount for 4 wheel but not for 2 wheel ABS.

Jan 31, 2002 | 06:56 AM

raoul

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From: Yorktown USA

2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Jan-02 AT 08:01 AM (EST)]alf, the production run for the '99s was from July'98 to July'99.
4 wheel ABS was an option until around Dec-Jan then became standard.
If your truck was built after Jan then you have 4 wheel ABS.
Look at the sticker in the driver's door.

Otherwise, look for some lines running to the rear brakes that are not running to the front. If everything looks the same, could be the original owner ordered that option on an early run truck.

Even better, since over half of the '99s did have standard 4 wheel ABS, just forget about looking and tell the ins co. you have them because they were standard in 1999. Which they were eventually.

Ford made that midyear change because Chevy was making a big deal about their standard 4 wheel ABS and Ford was feeling it.

Feb 1, 2002 | 11:04 AM

G_MAN

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From: Newark USA

2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

I have a 97 F-150 and was wondering the same thing. My truck is 2-wheel drive. I didn't notice any lines running to the front brakes but I was told to also look for some kind of teeth on the back of the rotor??? Anyone know anything about that?

Feb 1, 2002 | 06:40 PM

BrianA

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From: Trussville, Alabama

2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

Raoul,
please clarify.
My 2000 XL has rear ABS only. I think the XLT got the standard 4 wheel ABS but not the XL. I think it remained an option on the XL line.
Thanks,
Brian

Feb 1, 2002 | 09:59 PM

raoul

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From: Yorktown USA

2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

Thanks for pointing that out Brian, I completely missed Alf saying he had a XL. 4 wheel ABS was midyear standard on the XLT an higher trim lines. The 4 wheel ABS became standard across all trim lines including the XL, in the 2001 model year.

Alf, there is still a chance the original owner might have sprang for it...

Feb 1, 2002 | 10:19 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

I guess I do it the hard way. Drive down a dirt road about 45 mph and nail the brakes. Your rear ABS will start working -really put the pressure to the brakes now. If it has 4 wheel ABS the brakes will starting talking to you (you'll feel it springing and cycling) and you will be able to still steer the vehicle. If not, the fronts lock up (steering gets the dead feel) and she justs plows forward and ignores your steering inputs.

This can be safely done on a straight section of road. I quite often engauge my ABS on dirt roads. And once you have all 4 cycling - you'll know it.

If you don't drive your vehicle at 10/10 tenths - don't worry about it.

Feb 5, 2002 | 05:44 PM

pbrownblksport01

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From: Humble Harris

2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS?

Look on the inside of your wheel near the hub. If there are teeth all the way around the center area and a sensor with an electrical wire, then you have front wheel ABS. But most cases with '97 there is only rear wheel ABS. To take care of that light... 99% of the time it is your rear vehicle speed sensor has gone bad. This sensor is located on the top of your rear diff. It is simple to replace, just remove the hold dow bolt (usually a 10mm) and remove connector. Then just plug in the new one.