adrenalin AWD transfer case ?'s

06bluez · January 11, 2012

so I crawled under the truck tonight to take a look around, and noticed what looks like a shift motor on my AWD t-case...

Edit: after looking a bit i guess it is the BW 4412? but do the AWD versions have a shift motor on them?

06bluez · January 11, 2012

just ordered some 4wd buttons for the dash off ebay.. I know the wire harness is behind the blanks for the 4wd buttons, so just maybe after plugging in the 4wd auto/high/low buttons the shift motor will work? am i Crazy to think that the adrenalins really have a 2 range transfer case that is not used?!?

06bluez · January 11, 2012

after doing a bit more research.. I think us adrenalin owners have been deceived! It's the 4412 2 speed transfer case. Now why would Ford not give us the buttons to be able to use our low range? Hopefully my little experiment will pan out when I get the buttons..

GreenMando · January 12, 2012

06bluez said:
after doing a bit more research.. I think us adrenalin owners have been deceived! It's the 4405 2 speed transfer case. Now why would Ford not give us the buttons to be able to use our low range? Hopefully my little experiment will pan out when I get the buttons..

Yeah, go with that idea.

MichiTracR · January 12, 2012

It is a 2-speed transfer case because it is cheaper to buy all of one type than to create two different variants (with and without motors/or entirely different 1-speed). In addition to adding the switch (if the harnesses are the same - I'm not sure on this one, but they probably are), you'll have to get the 4x4 module reprogrammed/recalibrated for the change (there is a possibility that the 4x4 module is different with depopulated motor drivers, so it may need to be replaced as well).

06bluez · January 12, 2012

I hope that by just plugging in the 4x4 buttons i can use low range, but even if I need to swap in the module it is worth it to me. I know that the adrenalin package is not marketed to need it, but it was really my only hesitation to buying the adrenalin, as I wanted the low range if I ever needed it..

I guess the settings in the cluster to lock the 'awd' is just putting it in 4wd high?

I kinda feel decieved by ford calling these trucks AWD, they really are not awd anymore than other sport tracs are AWD that they call 4X4...

bender · January 12, 2012

06 - keep us posted once you get the switches, this will be interesting.

yes it certainly is not a true AWD, as it is the same system as the other explorers (basically the old 'control trac'.

I was hesitant as well not having the low range. I believe the only reason they did this is due to the 20" wheels. they didnt want folks going off-road and by marketing as AWD and no low range, that kind of markets it more street based. I think there was mention of the wheels in the manual and not going off-road. this is just my gut opinion but i think there is some validity. I have an 08 explorer limited awd - so it isnt specific to the adrenalin. my wife drives the explorer now so i am not worried as much about it, but if it is as simple as hooking up the switches (can't be that easy) i'd do it just for piece of mind. the torque of the v8 and the low range would make it a good strong puller if ever needed for extracting another vehicle or object.

bender · January 12, 2012

...also...i've never done it, but i know people have manually shifted a t-case when they have a bad shift motor, maybe you could unbolt the shift motor and manually shift the t-case to low, and see if it engages and how the vehicle reacts (lights/warnings etc...)

to answer your Q - yes going through the menu and selecting AWD lock is the same as 4High - which may be a problem as well when you get the switches, i'd imagine the 4wd versions dont have that option in their menu, so i wonder how that will play with switches once you install them.

06bluez · January 12, 2012

I would be very suprised if it was that easy too.. but ya never know... So i guess this means that the Brown Wire Mod will apply to the Adrenalin's? Looking into that now..

06bluez · January 16, 2012

Not as simple as just plugging in the buttons unfortunately. going to look into the differences between the control modules. Hopefully the 4wd is not controlled by the SJB?

06bluez · February 2, 2012

after more reading, i guess this is the 4412, not the 4405. newer version that is used in 4wd trucks..

but why wouln't they use the 4410 which is the true Viscous AWD case?

I have seen a manual shifter conversion kit on here, i bet that would work to get 4 low... to use i guess you would need to lock it in AWD in the message center and disable traction control by holding down the TC button for a few seconds.. then shift into 4low...

06bluez · February 2, 2012

MichiTracR said:
It is a 2-speed transfer case because it is cheaper to buy all of one type than to create two different variants (with and without motors/or entirely different 1-speed). In addition to adding the switch (if the harnesses are the same - I'm not sure on this one, but they probably are), you'll have to get the 4x4 module reprogrammed/recalibrated for the change (there is a possibility that the 4x4 module is different with depopulated motor drivers, so it may need to be replaced as well).

Just wanted to follow up, you are right, the 4wd drivers are not enabled in some module, guessing the SJB...

MichiTracR · February 2, 2012

It is in the 4x4CM. I know that for a fact. The question is: For that model year whether it is just the calibration in the module, or if they separated the HW variant to actually depopulate the driver components as well for cost savings.

The easiest thing to do may be to find a control module from a Limited Sport Trac and swap it, then you'll be sure it has the hardware and software.

I will try to get you the entire answer..

06bluez · February 2, 2012

thanks a lot! are you a ford tech or someone that has access to this info? That would be a big help. My thought is that i could compare part numbers between teh SJB of my adrenalin and a limited 4x4. any idea if pats is tied into the sjb? my local dealer would probably look at me like I am crazy if I went in and started asking them how to make my adrenalin 4wd...

MichiTracR · February 2, 2012

Forget about "SJB" - the smart junction box has nothing to do with it.
Having said that, my previous answer was a little wrong too. The 4x4CM is currently configured as a 1-speed in your truck, but it is not from calibration in this module (as it was in some other Ford trucks). It gets a message from the cluster to configure as a 1-speed - supposedly only once, I'm assuming at initial setup or battery cycle..etc.
So, you'll likely have to find someone that can reprogram the cluster as a Limited or XLT, or possibly just change the value of this message bit and reinitialize (I'm not sure what level of abilities the tech programming tools have).
The good news is that I am told that the 4x4 module should be the same hardware-wise, so after this programming is complete it should recognize the mode switch and move the motor.

06bluez · February 2, 2012

very interesting info! thanks again. So i guess I need to find someone that is willing to do some prodding around with a dealer Rotundra scantool or something...

Flounder · February 2, 2012

Going to throw this out there not fully understanding the consequences.

In the on-board computer system menu, you can manually select between AWD (sometimes on) and 4WD (always on). Might this have some effect? Or is that part of the issue as you noted above with respect to traction control?

06bluez · February 3, 2012

Yes as it is now the message center allows me to go from 4wd auto to 4wd high, just the same as other 4wd trucks. What the ST Adrenalins are missing is a way to use low range, because electronics/cluster are configured as a one speed drivetrane, while all the hardware is present for a high/low 4x4 drivetrane just like all 4wd trucks.

06bluez · May 17, 2012

My first attempt to explain this situation to a dealer and have them try to reprogram the module ended up in total failure. service writer had no idea what i was explaining to him and kept going back to how some explorers came with an AWD transfer case and he tried to convince me that is what I had...

he did however charge me $100 to try reprogramming the control module anyway. very frustrating because he wouldn't even explain what the tech tried to change, or why it didn't work. (still not convinced they did anything at all)

A replacement 4wd module is $180, I wonder if a replacement one will already have been initialized as a 2 speed like MichitracR was mentioning.

GreenMando · May 17, 2012

I am guessing that even thou the same housing, the AWD does not have the low range gears in the drive train.

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