Do they make an extention for the shifter? I have fairly long arms an I have to reach for it. My wife doesn't drive the truck often but at 5' 2" very short arms she hasnt used it yet but I'm betting she'll have to pull over. I live on a hill and long driveway so 4x4 this time off year is daily use.
05 250 crew

 

Wow, first time I heard of this being a problem,,,I don't think there is a extension for the manual 4x4 shifter,,,atleast you have the more reliable system,, and the 4x4 actually works when you need it !

 

You are supposed to be pretty much stopped when you shift into 4x4 with the manual system (that's why it's called MSOS manual shift on stop). Since you are supposed to be stopped it shouldn't be a big deal to lean forward a bit to reach the shifter.

 

you mean I cant shift on the fly? as in while moving! well for the past 4 weeks of winter I have benn going to read my owners manual know. how about disengaging?

 

If the hubs are already locked in the manual will shift in just fine.

Hubs locked just reach done and pull back. Will slide in no problem.

 

sorry after I sent that last reply I realized my truck is at the garage getting new tires and my owners manual is in the truck. ok if I have have my hubs locked in, can I shift into 4x4 while driving down the road. at moderate speed of course.

 

Ditto what Dporter said. Kelly67 at moderate speeds you'll have no problems but driving on a hard surface with both hubs locked in till you need 4X4 is not a good idea either? You'll still be dragging 1 wheel while turning the same as in 4X4.

 

Thanks I almost had a heart failure! if I leave my hubs in on dry pavement the worst I'm going to do is wear out my front u joints quicker than normal use correct. this my first ful size truck I have always had toys before an could shift any speed. thanks

 

If you have manual hubs, (hubs locked)you can shift into 4x4 at practically any speed. (unless your tires are spinning)
On the way home from work I did it at 55 today actually. to shift into 2wd it's the same thing.

 

no you won't be dragging 1 wheel.
with the transfer case in 2wd the front and rear axle are able to turn at diffrent speeds. it might feel slightly diffrent, but not a problem.

many old trucks had hubs that were similar to rear axles. (always engaged.)

 

I didn't say it can't be done, but you aren't really supposed to. The system is called MSOS because you are supposed to be stopped (I beleive it says you can be travelling less than 5 mph though). The ESOF (electronic shift on the fly) system is set up to shift while you are moving, I beleive Ford says as high as 45mph.

Running with the hubs locked on the front end in the winter is fine. You will lose a bit of fuel mileage since you are rotating the front drivetrain, and you will put a bit more wear on the parts, but nothing too horrible.

Turning on dry pavement with the hubs locked is fine, as long as you are not in 4 wheel drive. Your front axle has an open differential so the two wheels can spin at different speeds without any problems. The U joints will bind up a little bit and make it feel a bit jerky but you will be ok.

Turning on dry pavement with the vehicle in 4 wheel drive can cause damage because then the transfer case is supplying power to both the front and rear axles at the same speed, even though they may need to travel at different speeds while you are turning.

 

your thinking of 4low.

I just read the owners manual. It says 3mph for low range.

trust me I live in canada in snow country. If your hubs are locked you can shift to 4x4 at highway speed and the shift is buttery smooth.

The manual system has been that way for ever.

the dial dohickey on the dash I can't comment on. but the actual shifter I know can/designed to be done.

 

Nope, not thinking about 4x4Low (I was wrong about 5mph though, it's 3mph/5kph). This is directly from the 2007 Ford Super Duty Owner's Guide

Using a Manual Shift On Stop (MSOS) 4WD system (if equipped)

Note: Some noise may be heard as the 4WD system shifts or engages. This is normal.

2H (2WD High) – For general on-road driving. Sends power to the rear wheels only.

4H (4WD High) – For winter and off-road conditions. Sends power to front and rear wheels.

N (Neutral) – Only used when towing the vehicle.

4L (4WD Low) – For low-speed off-road applications that require extra power such as steep grades, deep sand or pulling a boat out of the water. Sends power to front and rear wheels.

Shifting from 2H (2WD High) to 4H (4WD High)
Engage the locking hubs by rotating the hub lock control from FREE to LOCK, then move the transfer case lever from 2H (2WD High) to 4H (4WD High) at a vehicle speed
below 3 mph (5 km/h).

• For proper operation, make sure that both indicator arrows on the hub are aligned, and that both hubs are set to LOCK.

• Do not shift into 4H (4WD High) with the rear wheels slipping.

Shifting from 4H (4WD High) to 2H (2WD High)
Move the transfer case lever to 2H (2WD High) at a stop or a vehicle speed below 3 mph (5 km/h). With the vehicle at complete stop, disengage the locking hubs (optional) by rotating the hub lock control from LOCK to FREE.

• For proper operation, make sure that both indicator arrows on the hub are aligned, and that both hubs are set to FREE

Shifting from 4H (4WD High) to 4L (4WD Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
2. Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral). If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, also depress the clutch pedal.
3. Move the transfer case shift lever through N (Neutral) directly to 4L (4WD Low). If the shift lever does not, or only partially moves to the 4L (4WD Low) position, perform a shift with the transmission in N (Neutral) (or clutch pedal depressed) and the vehicle rolling at a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h). This will ensure the transfer case is fully engaged into 4L (4WD Low).

Shifting from 4L (4WD Low) to 4H (4WD High) or 2H (2WD High)
1. Bring the vehicle to a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
2. Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral).
3. Move the transfer case shift lever through N (Neutral) directly to 4H (4WD High) or 2H (2WD High).
4. If the transfer case will not engage into 4H (4WD High) or 2H (2WD High), allow the vehicle to move at a speed above 1 mph (1.6 km/h), then repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. If shifting to 2H (2WD High) with the vehicle at a complete stop, disengage the locking hubs (optional) by rotating the hub lock control from LOCK to FREE.

 

I did just read my manual for the 05 it doesn't call it moso (think that is how you had it ) it just says lock hubs in an shift. it doesn't say anything about shifting at speeds other than dont take it out above 55. it just calls mine manual tranfer case. I just didn't want to mess anything up. this is my first ford full size truck an would have been devistated if I couldn't shift it.when I do shift I make sure I let off the gas to take any pressure and torque out of the drive train so it does go in smooth.

 

I just verified you owners manual section. You are correct.
I jusr re read the 2005 f250 manual (mine) I am also correct!!


what the hell?


Anyway I guess the moral of the story is don't buy a msos system.

It hamstrings the whole system. (how stupid is that?)