1997 Newbie... Tell me about the off road switch?

[Timdeb4397]

I just bought a 1997 Eddie Bauer. I have noticed in some of the threads talk of rewiring the 4WD switch for true 2WD. Here is my dilema.... my switch only has "Auto" and "Off Road" as selection options. A search on carfax says it is a 4WD and not an AWD? Another post metioned if you have AWD, you do not have any switch. I can call Ford tomorrow but, I am up late and to curious about it. There is no mention of this two position switch in the manual?? I can't even find mention of it in any reviews I have read??

Any one know the answer??

Thanks

 

[ExplorerDMB]

So there's a switch with two settings: "Auto" or "Off-Road"?

If so, Ford never made a switch like that. Maybe someone had to replace the bezel and got a 4wd one instead. Are you sure you are 4wd and not AWD?

-Drew

 

[Timdeb4397]

It is an AWD!!!

Finally discovered by calling ford and giving them the VIN that I purchased an AWD. The dealer as well as Carfax listed it as 4WD. Now, what I have not been able to figure out is why have a switch that says "AUTO"/"OFFROAD". I called one Ford service department so far that says it runs off the rear wheels until needed in "AUTO" and if I go to "OFFROAD" I have full time 4WD.

So now my question changes to what is the difference between AWD and 4WD. I was under the impression that AWD is supposed to be better somehow but, from what I have read on this site, I beleave I would rather have the 4WD.

Can anyone give some insight on this?? I would really appreciate it!

PS. Thanks for the reply Drew!

 

[Timdeb4397]

But, WAIT!! There's more!!

OK... Here is what I am gathering from numerous Ford Mechanics. Please correct me if I am wrong...

AWD in "AUTO" is an on demand 4Wheel high setting with the difference from true 4WD being that AWD compensates the inner and outer tire speeds in turns. Once the switch is put in "OFF ROAD" it goes into a fulltime 4WD mode. Now, I would think that would mean it goes into a 4WD low condition but, I can't get a verification on that.

Does anyone have an AWD Explorer that could enlighten me??

 

[rookieshooter]

I was out this morning before light driving in the rain. It was in Auto where I leave most the time. Then I pulled into the farm where I hunt and fish. This morning Spriing turkey hunting. It has gravel roads plus I drive across grass pastures which is up and down hills and it is wet. I put it in 4WD and now it does not keep going in and out of 2WD to 4WD and you don't hear that clunking noise. Put it in 4WD and see how difficult it is to turn on dry roads. ALD only comes on when it calls for. So it wont be on when driving on dry days going down the iterstate. Unless yours is like mine where I had to do the brown wire thing, but thats another story.

 

[Timdeb4397]

OK... I gotta know now!!! Tell me about the "Brown wire thing"! )

 

[rookieshooter]

Do you have a setting that says 4 WD low?

 

[rookieshooter]

OK... I gotta know now!!! Tell me about the "Brown wire thing"! )

Please use the search forum. I would get blasted if I explained it here. TONS of info.

 

[Timdeb4397]

Do you remember the title of the thread? By the way. Thanks for your input! How long have you had your XLT??

 

[rookieshooter]

Sometime you might experiance that it does not wont to come out of 4WD, even if your not in 4WD you will notice it when you make a turn and hear all this noise. You may never. punch in not coming out of 4WD or brown wire mod. Maybe someone will chime in with exact post.

Punch in Flashing 4WD lights in the search forum or
flashing 4x4 lights after gear change?

 

[CDW6212R]

Timdeb4397, big question, do you have a V8 302 97 Explorer? If it is a V8, then it has one transfer case possibility. It is AWD, it has no other modes, it drives all four wheels all of the time, always.

If you have a V8, then the dash switch has nothing to do with the AWD. That switch is just for the optional ARC system. The optional ARC air shocks maintain a certain ride height depending on that switch selection. There is also an electrical shock firmness automatic adjustment. The vehicle should ride higher when set to "offroad." I thought that the other position was labeled "normal."

Take good care of that ARC system, the shocks are over $200 each. Be sure to turn the system off any time the vehicle is lifted off of the ground. That cut off switch is in the left rear quarter panel. Good luck,
Don

 

[DCExplorer]

What he said. The switch is for you air shocks. You can also check the sticker in your drivers side door. Under the heading SPR you should see an H as the second digit in the code, indicating your rear spring code. Nearly every other 4D Explorer will have an F code, which are firmer springs. Something to consider if you ever decide to change you rear springs, or scrap the air shocks.

Edit.

Where the confusion is coming from is that some 4wd Explorer have an 'Auto' setting that automatically switches from rear-wheel dirve to 4wd as needed. This is not the same 'Auto' setting you have. Your Ford guys should have known this if they were aware you had an AWD Explorer. You might want to consider talking to some different Ford guys next time

 

[Timdeb4397]

Man this site is GREAT!!!!

:exp: Thanks Don and DCEXPLORER. You are Correct. I was also wrong when I said it had "AUTO" written on it. It actually does say "NORMAL RIDE". I am obviously an idiot!!

I apologize to everyone for this. The vehicle was not here when I wrote the first post and I must have gotten the labeling mixed up with the other 4WD I test drove before I bought this. It does mention this in the owner's manual but, the switch itself is not shown nor reference.

So Don or DC, do you guys have the AWD on your Explorers as well?? If so, what should the average height dismtance be between the two modes?? One last question Don, the "electrical firmness adjustment" you spoke of, is that an automatic adjustment depending on the "Mode" your in or is that something the driver can adjust??

DC you may be right about switching the mechanic. I am sure he was confused by me mentioning the "AUTO" switch but, I would think he would have picked up on it when I mentioned the vehicle was AWD. Sadly, out of the 3 service shops, I talked to he was the closest t the answer of the three

Thanks again Fellas for all your help. I am sure I will have more questions as I get used to this thing!!

 

[CDW6212R]

No worries at all, I hope everyone will forgive my many mistakes. I'm sure you already gathered how expensive the ARC system can be. I don't have one running yet, but there are many members here who love them.

Run a search for "ARC" and/or "air suspension." I think if you learn about it and take proper care of it, you will want to keep it working.

I don't recall the exact details, but that switch is the only adjustment. The ride height is supposed to be higher at low speeds in "offroad." The firmness really only works in that "offroad" setting also. I thought about rewiring it to make a "sport" mode, for handling. It would take some research, and tricking of the ARC module, or else tricking the shocks themselves. Good luck, and welcome again.
Don

 

[DCExplorer]

TimDeb,

Yes I have AWD, but I don't have the adjustable suspension.

Speaking of mistakes, I image some people cringed when I said the 'Auto' setting switches from rear-wheel drive to 4wd. Technically the 'Auto' setting is a form of AWD, and not 4wd. In 4wd mode, the amount of drive that is sent front and back is set at a fixed ratio. Our AWD and the 'Auto' mode sends drive front to rear at various ratios as needed. The differce between our AWD and the 'Auto' mode is that our system send more drive to the front wheels than the 'Auto' setting, which sends nearly all the drive to the rear wheels, under normal highway conditions. There are other differences like AWD came with a V8 and auto/4wd came with a V6. I'm sure you will have lots of fun reading up on all the other difference on this site. However, some things will be less obvious than others. For example, I never would have guessed that the adjustable suspension option included a different set of springs than other Explorers.

 

[CDW6212R]

I have heard several ARC Explorer owners comment on how soft their ride is.

BTW, Clayton, figure for me how I can get an AWD in my 99 SOHC 4x4 Limited chassis?
Right now I'm hoping to discover that the guts and internal passages are the same between the first 5R55E's, and the 5R55E's. The later case is longer, and has two transfer cases available. One is an AWD, a Borg Warner 4410. I'm hoping that I can find a later 5R55E/AWD, and swap the valve body from mine into it.

 

[Kenchurch2019]

So there's a switch with two settings: "Auto" or "Off-Road"?

If so, Ford never made a switch like that. Maybe someone had to replace the bezel and got a 4wd one instead. Are you sure you are 4wd and not AWD?

-Drew

Welll your wrong I have the same exact vehicle and yes it's stock so just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not there your no master know it all.
I have noticed in this forum there are people who are friggin ***** and you talk to people just hateful like capitol this or word it this way.
Stop being a dick to people the forum is a place to help not treat others like ****

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I don't think he was necessarily being rude. There's been times where I didn't realize a feature was offered and told someone that. We all make mistakes

 

[RangerX]

Welll your wrong I have the same exact vehicle and yes it's stock so just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not there your no master know it all.
I have noticed in this forum there are people who are friggin ***** and you talk to people just hateful like capitol this or word it this way.
Stop being a dick to people the forum is a place to help not treat others like ****

You could use a little niceness yourself.
By the way, this thread you’re responding to was from nineteen years ago, and you chose to revive it to chew someone out?
That person hasn’t been on the forum in fourteen years.

 

[fosterzcj]

Man imagine seeing a reply to an ancient post 14 years later and it's a butt chewing.