4Wd...
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30
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Others will be along to explain it better, but I'll take a stab at it.
With the floor shifter, you have direct linkage to engage the transfer case. With the switch, you are relying on actuators to complete the process.
Personally, I'd rather have the floor shifter, even though mine has the switch. If I was to custom order a truck, it would have the shifter. I just like knowing I'm in direct contact.
With the floor shifter, you have direct linkage to engage the transfer case. With the switch, you are relying on actuators to complete the process.
Personally, I'd rather have the floor shifter, even though mine has the switch. If I was to custom order a truck, it would have the shifter. I just like knowing I'm in direct contact.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
"Better" is subjective.
Switch on dash (ESOF) also means automatic (sometimes) locking hubs. Advantage: [size](when they work)[/size] You don't have to get out and turn the hubs. Disadvantage: Things break...just search "hubs not locking" or "Defrost only".
Lever on the floor requires that you exit the vehicle to lock the hubs unless you lock them prior to setting out on your trip. Not a big although a "disadvantage" to most, unless you get and get stuck in horrible weather and really don't want to get out in it to lock your hubs.
Advantage: You know the transfer case is locked. No guess work.
Switch on dash (ESOF) also means automatic (sometimes) locking hubs. Advantage: [size](when they work)[/size] You don't have to get out and turn the hubs. Disadvantage: Things break...just search "hubs not locking" or "Defrost only".
Lever on the floor requires that you exit the vehicle to lock the hubs unless you lock them prior to setting out on your trip. Not a big although a "disadvantage" to most, unless you get and get stuck in horrible weather and really don't want to get out in it to lock your hubs.
Advantage: You know the transfer case is locked. No guess work.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,370
Likes: 1,858
From: Frederick, MD
cfile is on track.
The manual shifter on the floor is the old fashioned way to engage your transfer case. Direct linkage. That means so are your front hubs. Gotta get out and turn them to engage.
The other system, known as shift on the fly, is a solinold activation system. Turning the switch tells a solinold in the transfer case to activate and put power out the front of the transfer to the front axle.
This switch also sends a signal in the engine compartment to another solinold which then sends a vacumn to the front hubs and turns them to lock in the front end.
hope that helps.
the old fashioned why is gonna be more reliable but the other is pretty good.
The manual shifter on the floor is the old fashioned way to engage your transfer case. Direct linkage. That means so are your front hubs. Gotta get out and turn them to engage.
The other system, known as shift on the fly, is a solinold activation system. Turning the switch tells a solinold in the transfer case to activate and put power out the front of the transfer to the front axle.
This switch also sends a signal in the engine compartment to another solinold which then sends a vacumn to the front hubs and turns them to lock in the front end.
hope that helps.
the old fashioned why is gonna be more reliable but the other is pretty good.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD & missing AK
The manual system is cheaper and a little easier to repair, even though it requires ALOT less repairing. It also leaves no doubt that you are in 4wd.
I am a beleiver in the "old fashioned" lever system. The electronic system is way too prone to failure. There are usually at least a couple threads on the first page about the electronic system. The hubs for it also need a couple of revolutions to engage, unless you get out and manually engage them.
I am a beleiver in the "old fashioned" lever system. The electronic system is way too prone to failure. There are usually at least a couple threads on the first page about the electronic system. The hubs for it also need a couple of revolutions to engage, unless you get out and manually engage them.
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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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