2000 ford explorer zero traction 4x4 snow/ice

[Tahoe explorer]

So we had our first storm in Tahoe this year and i had serious difficulties with my 4x4 2000 ford explorer XLT V6.

I had no traction on the snow, it was bad.

to put it in perspective i couldn't even make it up a hill that a 1960-70s beetle had no problems with, that bad.

my rear wheel where just slipping the entire time and the front wheels did not seem to be doing anything. it did this in both high and low 4x4.

I was wondering if there are any checks i could do to see if it was my tires or my 4x4 system that seem to be the problem.

I did the penny check on my rear tires and they still have a good amount of tread left.
the tire pressures are both 30 in the rear and 31 and 28 in the front.
my tires are Pirelli Scorpion ATR All-Terrain Tire - 235/75R15 108T.
supposedly "solid" all season tires

any advise or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Robman]

Sounds like the front driveshaft isn't engaging.

I realize that's not very technical of an explanation, lol.. I'm in the midst of this problem also.

Mine even goes as far as making one hell of a racket when it's trying to engage, almost like the TC wants to jump right out of the truck. Other times it works fine.

 

[koda2000]

Don't know what your issue is, but I owned many 4x4's when I lived in the northeast. They were fine in the snow, but nothing will get traction on ice. As far as 60's-70's Beetles, I had a '62 Beetle with snow tires on it and it was nothing short of amazing in the snow. I couldn't get that little car stuck if I tried (and I tried). You may have a t-case issue and worn out LSD clutches in the rear (assuming you an LSD rear diff).

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Since your truck is a V6 it might be a transfer case motor, or if you have a CAD axle it could be a vacuum leak. My F-150 had this issue and one of the vacuum solenoids was cracked.


Step 1 is find out if your front driveshaft is moving. Get in the truck, put it in 4x4 move forward and back a few feet and have someone look under the truck as you're moving. If the front driveshaft turns when your truck is moving your transfer case is working, if not look into a transfer case or switch issue.

If it does turn look toward your front axle. Check for vacuum leaks and test to be sure all solenoids are getting power when your switch is flipped. My guess is if you put it in 4x4 low and don't hear a clunk (I know my F-150 does this) your transfer case probably isn't shifting and I'd make a bet it's a shift motor.

 

[drdoom]

Sounds like an electrical fault to the 4wd clutch.

 

[koda2000]

Since your truck is a V6 it might be a transfer case motor, or if you have a CAD axle it could be a vacuum leak. My F-150 had this issue and one of the vacuum solenoids was cracked.


Step 1 is find out if your front driveshaft is moving. Get in the truck, put it in 4x4 move forward and back a few feet and have someone look under the truck as you're moving. If the front driveshaft turns when your truck is moving your transfer case is working, if not look into a transfer case or switch issue.

If it does turn look toward your front axle. Check for vacuum leaks and test to be sure all solenoids are getting power when your switch is flipped. My guess is if you put it in 4x4 low and don't hear a clunk (I know my F-150 does this) your transfer case probably isn't shifting and I'd make a bet it's a shift motor.

The front drive shaft will always move when the truck is moved whether it's in 4WD or 2WD. This would prove nothing. You'd have to get all 4 wheels off the ground to test if the t-case is turning the front drive shaft in 4WD.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

The front drive shaft will always move when the truck is moved whether it's in 4WD or 2WD. This would prove nothing. You'd have to get all 4 wheels off the ground to test if the t-case is turning the front drive shaft in 4WD.

Not if he has a front axle that disengages. I'm not sure if his truck does but good point. OP has to find out if he does in fact have the front disconnect.

 

[rb142]

Pirelli Scorpions are horrible in the snow, so that isn't helping. But it does sound like the front drive isn't working.