4x4 problems
 

Alright, my 99 F250 Lariat has the in-cab 4x4 shifting and it hasnt been working right since I purchased the truck. I put the truck in neutral, turn it to 4H, then to 4L, and the offroad and 4x4 dash light comes on, and I hear a click, sounding like its engaging, but its not. If I get out and switch the hubs from 'auto' to 'lock', then it will crawl outta any hole like it should. What is wrong with my 4x4? I don't use my 4x4 very often, but its nice to know I got it when I need it (from in the cab, haha). Thanks.

I have heard of people having problems with the factory hubs on these trucks similar to what you stated. Warn offers a conversion to install their standard manual lockout hubs on the newer Ford Super Dutys

you have to put the hubs in 'lock' first, roll forward or backward a few feet to engage them, and THEN use the floor shifter.

I have the electronic shift on the fly dial in my cab. I don't have the floor shifter. When the hubs are in 'auto', I should be able to shift in to 4x4 in the cab, but its not doing that.

either way, you still have to lock the hubs in BEFORE you make any different transfer case selections. if the hubs are not in the 'lock' position, and you select 4lo, you will technically only be using 2lo becuase the front wheels are not engaged when in 'auto'.

That's the point of the ESOF, oneofakind, you don't have to get out and lock the hubs when they're working properly. It's usually a vacuum issue at the hubs. SEARCH been covered MANY MANY times.

Not if he has the auto locking hubs like mine does. You simply switch the transfer case to 4hi or 4 lo, and off you go. Of course the auto hubs only work for a couple of years, then you have to manualy lock them in, and you can't do it without some type of plyers. If you have the auto hubs, and they don't work anymore, remove them both, open up your garbage can, toss them into the can with the rest of the trash, and spend the $200 on the Warn hubs (like I just had to do 3 weeks ago!)

ESOF is junk! Cool for a little while when it works, and then a little aggrivating after when it does not.
This system uses a pulse vacuum system to activate the front hubs while in auto, and then another pulse to free them. Theory sounds good, but aften fails.
Some guys will tell you to just use the hubs like manual hubs, but you may never free both of them when you turn the hub to the auto position. Drive around and look at how many front driveshafts are turning. Most of these guys don't even realize they are driving around with the front end locked in.
Best bet is to service the front hubs and determine if they are working alright.might take a bit of work, and will fail again, or change them out for a quality aftermarket set.

ahhh, now i see. i figured when he said "If I get out and switch the hubs from 'auto' to 'lock'" that he had the regular manual hubs, and was just misinterpreting the switch positions, or overlooking them completely. my apologies, i stand corrected.