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Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 530
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Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
Is there anything really bad about pushbutton 4x4? I ask this because I would normally want a manual 4x4 but as I look at trucks and call around 98% of them that I would want are pushbutton 4x4. I've read that they are more prone to failure. Is this true or not? Any disavantages to it over manual 4x4 besides knowing that you put it in 4x4 with the lever?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: Grande Prairie, AB
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
Ill tell you what... you got a button and you got a lever, wouldnt you rather hear the grinding of the sychronizing gears or the tick of a button??? Me I like switching with a lever. But the electric switch has a motor that runs the mesh system of the gears. If you want reliability then electric is not the way to go, and when you slap it into low gear (4L) then you got to stop and hold the brake and all the rest of it, sometimes it doesnt go in at all. Stick shift is much better. You get the added comfort of another grip to grab and you get the macho gear grinding abilities...lolRight o
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
There is no worry of a manual shifted 4x4 NOT to shift into 4x4 when needed. With electric, there is always a chance for those connections to be come corroded or any other kind of problem and not shift into 4x4. There are a lot of F-150s out there so take your time, you'll find your prize. Manual hubs and a manual shifter is the way to go. If the truck you are looking at has auto hubs, 60 bucks to swap to manual so don't worry about that, its very easy so you can solve that problem 
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
The bottem line is that push butten "4x4"s are for the chumps when they want to run to the grocery store in the winter. Manual hubs are for the men and women who really are serious about mudding and rock climbing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
I also just like to have two levers to play with.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
I know your pain in trying to find a truck with a lever and not an electrical connection. I finally had to special order one...or at least get the dealer to look harder (read $500 finder's fee).
All the dealers will tell you that the electronics are great and they've never had a problem. I've read too many posts here and at other places about the connections failing at the wrong time to support any claim a salesman may make.
I've owned both and can't say I feel comfortable with a **** or button. The '00 I have now has me concerned that the hubs won't engage...thay aren't manual and Ford hasn't made a true manual hub in 5 years (I don't count superduty hubs as manual regardless of the look).
It provides me with some comfort that I will at least "feel" the xfer case go into 4x if not the hubs.
Do yourself a favor and look harder for the manual lever.
-Kerry
All the dealers will tell you that the electronics are great and they've never had a problem. I've read too many posts here and at other places about the connections failing at the wrong time to support any claim a salesman may make.
I've owned both and can't say I feel comfortable with a **** or button. The '00 I have now has me concerned that the hubs won't engage...thay aren't manual and Ford hasn't made a true manual hub in 5 years (I don't count superduty hubs as manual regardless of the look).
It provides me with some comfort that I will at least "feel" the xfer case go into 4x if not the hubs.
Do yourself a favor and look harder for the manual lever.
-Kerry
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
I've had and used both pushbutton and manuals over the years. In my Chevy driving days, I have had a failure of auto hubs once that left my truck needing to be pulled out and returned to the campsite for the remainder of my offroading/camping trip. That sucked. The other Chevy truck (2500) never had a problem, but after my first experience with my parents S10 I just had to have manual hubs with a lever. My 1970 F250 has the Warn heavy-duty manual locking hubs. I have peace of mind whenever I have to take my truck off the road. Keep searching for those auto hubs...
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
If you are looking at '97 and newer F-150's, there is no manual system available. There were plenty made in the pre-'97 vintage. Late Broncos, however, did not have the option. Mechanically, the transfer case is just as strong, it is the extra electrical parts that may be prone to failure over time.
Jim
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
If you are talking about the '97s and newer not having manual transfer cases I would have to disagree. My roomate has a 2001 F150 with the manual t-case, but he had to order it from the factory like that because most dealers don't sell too many of them with the manual option.
At least Ford still has true 4 wheel drive not like the new chebbys that have that auto 4wheel drive that only kicks in when it thinks you need it.
At least Ford still has true 4 wheel drive not like the new chebbys that have that auto 4wheel drive that only kicks in when it thinks you need it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
>At least Ford still has true 4 wheel drive not like the new
>chebbys that have that auto 4wheel drive that only kicks in
>when it thinks you need it.
Thats why I love my old Ford...
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
>chebbys that have that auto 4wheel drive that only kicks in
>when it thinks you need it.
Thats why I love my old Ford...
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-Oct-02 AT 08:34 PM (EST)]Just to clarify... the '97 and newer trucks have "shift-on-the-fly" regardless of whether you have a manual floor mounted shift lever or a rotary **** on the dash. The F-150 hubs are automatically engaged in either form, there are no manual hubs. The F-250/350 hubs have "auto" and "lock" on the hubs, but are not true manuals as they don't have a "free" position. This means you can shift into 4HI in a 3/4 or 1 ton truck without ever getting out of the vehicle. It doesn't mean it will engage 
-Kerry
-Kerry
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 718
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From: Golden ,CO USA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
there os nothing like feeling the t-case enguage. i think its more assureing being able to see and feel and hear it go into gear.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
Not only the assurance but the pure pleasure of putting power to 4 wheels 
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
From: Golden ,CO USA
Pushbutton 4x4 vs manual 4x4
i agree with ya on the putting the pwer to ALL 4 wheels. and i prefer the manual hubs because you and physicly feel the hub enguaging the splines as u turn it.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE