4x4 Questions

[Smokey Bear]

How does the Excursion/Expedition automatic 4x4 system work?

When the system is in the auto position, it operates in 2x4 until the rear starts slipping. What happens next in order to get the front engaged? Is there a visous coupler? Whatever it is, it is very smooth, no clunking etc.

Thanks

[POLR BR]

Your X is equipped with ESOF which is a vacuum operated solenoid switch that operates your 4 wheel drive. This switch replaces the manual lever on the floor that most 4x4 trucks used to come with. To operate, all you need to do is turn the switch to 4x high. You can do this "on the fly" which means doing so while moving. You need to stop to engage 4xL. I do not use the ESOF much over 15 -20 mph although the manual says you can shift at higher speeds. I am still a little suspicious of ESOF and I see no point in unnecessarily stressing very expensive components. However the X ESOF does seem to work very well.

As a practical matter, you should try to anticipate when you will need 4x and engage it before it is needed. Once stuck, you may only get two wheels spinning rather than one. Also, people unfamiliar with 4x4's start believing and driving as though snow & ice conditions were the same as dry payment. A 4x4 gives a good sense of security because of the traction but in fact when traction is lost, it is no different than any other vehicle EXCEPT that you are quite likely to be going much faster than if in a 4x2 and are likely to have a much more dangerous accident. Every winter, I see the evidence of this; 4x4's wrapped around an oak tree or off in the puckerbrush, nose down in a bog. These operators can't distinguish between the traction needed to go and the traction needed for vehicle control.

I can not tell where you are from and therefore how likely you are to use your 4x4. Something like 90% of SUV's never see off-road and many urbanites never use their 4x4. If you do not use it regularly, I would suggest occasionally engaging your unit just to make the parts work and lubricate the internal gears and components. Mechanical parts and switches like emergency brake cables and 4x4 front ends do funny things if left unused for extended periods. Don't drive on dry pavement for any distance or you will shorten the life span or worse, break something. Hope this adds a little to your owners manual.


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2000 Excursion LTD 4x4, Oxford White, PSD 3.73, K&N, Hypertech PPIII, Dynomax Muffler, Ramsey Winch Mount & Grill/Brush Guard, Edelbrock Shocks, Rancho Stabilizer,Hellwig rear Stabilizer, PIAA 90 PRO XT Lights, 295 BFG's, 2000 F350 CC PSD 4x4 Woodland Green, 3.73 K&N, PPIII, 295 BFG's, Edelbrocks

[UTAH]

Smokey Bear - to add to POLR BRs great advice:

The 4x4 in our trucks is not the "all wheel drive" automatic systems available in some other Ford products. When you put an X into 4x4, you're ARE in 4x4 and not in a 4x2 system that detects and reacts to slip.

The reason I bring this up is that those other "all wheel drive" systems are fine to leave engaged. Ours will be damaged if left engaged on non-slip surfaces.

[Beast]

Utah ia absolutely correct. As a matter of fact one of the reasons I chose to get an Excursion is because of the type system the Expedition uses and the new adjustable pedals. Don't like either. No matter where you place the pedals it seemed awkward. The All time 4 wheel drive system fors uses seems hokie to me. If senses slip then engages the front wheels. So, in a raining situation you could be going in and out of 4 wheel drive for no good reason. I also like the ability to manually lock the front hubs if the button system fails to work.

[Smokey Bear]

Thanks guys, however I am really confused now. Let me explain further.

I test drove an Expedition the other day that had Fords Limited 4 x 4 system. The only interior knob around had 4x4 and Low range.

I had asked the dealer how the system worked and he said it is always in the AUTOMATIC mode. Daily driving is 2 x 4 and when the rear starts to slip, it AUTOMATICALLY engages into 4 x 4. It can NEVER be in 2 x 4 with only the rear wheels slipping as the system AUTOMATICALLY puts it into 4 wheel.

In short, it seems to work like an ALL WHEEL DRIVE but I wondered how they do the engaging since it was so smooth.

Example, while testing the truck, the parking lot was snow covered. I gave it some medium gas to get the rear wheels spining, once they started spining, the front automatically engaged. The engagement took place while the motor was turning +- 3000 rpm. No loud clunks, no gears gringing, nothing, very silent.

[Beast]

I have not actually tried it that close. But, I wonder if it was so smooth because you were on snow. My big qustion is a stop lights on a wet road. I know somewhere on the net there were people trying to info on how to turn the all time 4x4 off because it bothered them. That said my brother has an explorer with the same system with no complaints.

[sbrem]

Smokey Bear, The Expedition has all wheel drive that will kick in and out automaticly. The Excursion does not have this system. In the Excursion you can be in 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive hi, or 4 wheel drive low. No auto 4 wheel drive. Hope this helps

Stephen



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1994 F-250 XL 351 (no
diesel yet) 5 speed 4.10

[Cappy]

Sbrem is right. My past three vehicles were 97 Expedition, 99 Navigator, and Now an 01 Excursion. Observations:
97 Expedition had 2 wheel position, all wheel position, 4 wheel hi position and 4 wheel lo position. When in heavy rain, switching from 2 wheel to all wheel helped a lot.
99 Navigator (and 99 Expeditions) did away with the 2 wheel drive positions and the car automatically switched on the front axles as needed. Worked very well. Navigator was tough truck, but too fancy to put in the places I go.

01 Excursion is really the equivalent of a 3/4 or 1 ton crewcab truck with an air conditioned camper shell welded on. The four wheel setup is much heavier and does not have the automatic all wheel drive setup. It is either in or out. On dry pavement it will let you know quickly in the steering wheel feed back that you should turn it off. On the other hand it is great off road in routine service.


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'01 Excursion PSD 4x4, the Not so Lean Green Machine, arrived 10 a.m. 9/13; In garage 5 p.m. 9/13; Great Dealer