How it works AWD System
How it works AWD System
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by Marth
I have a 1997 Ford Explorer V8 5.0 AWD and i would like to kwon how AWD system works.
The 4 wheels must turn at same time or like 4x2.
Please melp me...
The 4 wheels must turn at same time or like 4x2.
Please melp me...
Make sense?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 139
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awd
Actually the 5.0 awd is in 4 wheel drive all the time. When you go around a corner the viscious clutch in the transfer case allows slip. This viscious clutch setup puts about 35% power to the front wheels and 65% to the rear tires.
The setup that stunod2002 is referring to was in the 4.0 engine setups.
The setup that stunod2002 is referring to was in the 4.0 engine setups.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by mvoeller2
Actually the 5.0 awd is in 4 wheel drive all the time. When you go around a corner the viscious clutch in the transfer case allows slip. This viscious clutch setup puts about 35% power to the front wheels and 65% to the rear tires.
The setup that stunod2002 is referring to was in the 4.0 engine setups.
The setup that stunod2002 is referring to was in the 4.0 engine setups.
Why would they do that anyway?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 2
From: UT
Perhaps my only complaint against putting the 5.0 into Explorers was that Ford decided that they wouldn't put a true 4WD system in with it. 5.0 Explorers either came 2WD or AWD. The idea behind an AWD system:
1) All four wheels are powered all the time. As mentioned, the t-case consists of viscous clutches. Under normal conditions, there is a 35:65 power split front to rear. The clutches are set up to allow differentiation during cornering and such.
2) When the computer detects wheel spin, it can adjust the power split at the transfer case, up to (I believe) 97% to either front or rear.
3) The AWD system operates without any input from the operator. There isn't a selectable 2WD mode, the transfer case isn't lockable like a part time 4WD system, and there isn't a low range. This is the part I would miss.
1) All four wheels are powered all the time. As mentioned, the t-case consists of viscous clutches. Under normal conditions, there is a 35:65 power split front to rear. The clutches are set up to allow differentiation during cornering and such.
2) When the computer detects wheel spin, it can adjust the power split at the transfer case, up to (I believe) 97% to either front or rear.
3) The AWD system operates without any input from the operator. There isn't a selectable 2WD mode, the transfer case isn't lockable like a part time 4WD system, and there isn't a low range. This is the part I would miss.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 50
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Originally Posted by mrshorty
Perhaps my only complaint against putting the 5.0 into Explorers was that Ford decided that they wouldn't put a true 4WD system in with it. 5.0 Explorers either came 2WD or AWD. The idea behind an AWD system:
1) All four wheels are powered all the time. As mentioned, the t-case consists of viscous clutches. Under normal conditions, there is a 35:65 power split front to rear. The clutches are set up to allow differentiation during cornering and such.
2) When the computer detects wheel spin, it can adjust the power split at the transfer case, up to (I believe) 97% to either front or rear.
3) The AWD system operates without any input from the operator. There isn't a selectable 2WD mode, the transfer case isn't lockable like a part time 4WD system, and there isn't a low range. This is the part I would miss.
1) All four wheels are powered all the time. As mentioned, the t-case consists of viscous clutches. Under normal conditions, there is a 35:65 power split front to rear. The clutches are set up to allow differentiation during cornering and such.
2) When the computer detects wheel spin, it can adjust the power split at the transfer case, up to (I believe) 97% to either front or rear.
3) The AWD system operates without any input from the operator. There isn't a selectable 2WD mode, the transfer case isn't lockable like a part time 4WD system, and there isn't a low range. This is the part I would miss.
It took me a while to adjust from the 4.0 with selectable 4WD to the 5.0 AWD... now I'm a huge fan of it.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
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From: UT
It's true -- many people don't miss low range. I, personally, would go bonkers without the torque multiplication/crawling ability that low range provides. It depends on what you want from the rig.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by mrshorty
It's true -- many people don't miss low range. I, personally, would go bonkers without the torque multiplication/crawling ability that low range provides. It depends on what you want from the rig.
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Originally Posted by mrshorty
Perhaps my only complaint against putting the 5.0 into Explorers was that Ford decided that they wouldn't put a true 4WD system in with it. 5.0 Explorers either came 2WD or AWD. The idea behind an AWD system:
1) All four wheels are powered all the time. As mentioned, the t-case consists of viscous clutches. Under normal conditions, there is a 35:65 power split front to rear. The clutches are set up to allow differentiation during cornering and such.
2) When the computer detects wheel spin, it can adjust the power split at the transfer case, up to (I believe) 97% to either front or rear.
3) The AWD system operates without any input from the operator. There isn't a selectable 2WD mode, the transfer case isn't lockable like a part time 4WD system, and there isn't a low range. This is the part I would miss.
1) All four wheels are powered all the time. As mentioned, the t-case consists of viscous clutches. Under normal conditions, there is a 35:65 power split front to rear. The clutches are set up to allow differentiation during cornering and such.
2) When the computer detects wheel spin, it can adjust the power split at the transfer case, up to (I believe) 97% to either front or rear.
3) The AWD system operates without any input from the operator. There isn't a selectable 2WD mode, the transfer case isn't lockable like a part time 4WD system, and there isn't a low range. This is the part I would miss.
I do miss the low range (and the real lock up option--I think the viscous limited slip gets overwhelmed in real high-torque situations), but I love the way the AWD handles in snow and muddy roads. For the 2004 Explorer I opted for the 4X4 with advance trac. I'll do an offroad comparison-when my wife is done with it in a few years!
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
So, does that make my father in-laws truck an oddball? It's got the SOHC 4.0 with the AWD, but the selector also has 4lo and 4hi....just no 2wd. Is that different than the 5.0 AWD system, or the same one? It's a 97 XLT, but has (I think) every option you cold get except for the Eddie Bauer ground effects.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
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From: UT
Originally Posted by cookie88
So, does that make my father in-laws truck an oddball? It's got the SOHC 4.0 with the AWD, but the selector also has 4lo and 4hi....just no 2wd. Is that different than the 5.0 AWD system, or the same one? It's a 97 XLT, but has (I think) every option you cold get except for the Eddie Bauer ground effects.
Beausterling: I always thought there was an electrical element to the AWD system, just like the electrical element in the 4Auto mode in the V6 t-cases. I could be wrong on that.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: Hillsboro, OR
The AWD in the earlier explorers with the 5.0 is entirely mechanical. It's basicly like a limited slip clutch. Power is mostly to the rear wheels. The viscous coupler goes to the front diff. It has a serious of clutches, and fluid that gets thicker as if gets warmer. When there is more slip, there is more friction (ie more heat), which makes the clutches lockup. I had the same system in an 86 VW Van with AWD, been around forever 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 358
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From: Northwest Iowa
I love the AWD in my 97 Merc mountaineer
. If I want low range,tons of tourqe
and going thru a lot of poo, then I either start up the 77 crewcab 4x4 with 460 or 79 Bronco with 460. My Merc is my city driver!
. If I want low range,tons of tourqe
and going thru a lot of poo, then I either start up the 77 crewcab 4x4 with 460 or 79 Bronco with 460. My Merc is my city driver!