4x4 auto? what the heck is this switch for

[Integrity]

4x4 auto Switch what does it? is it on all the time? is this truck awd like its brother the moutaineer i am soo lost LOL i have 4x4 auto switc, a 4x4 high and a 4x4 low on a 2004 ford explorer xlt when i hit the 4x4 auto nothing lights up in the instrument display but when i hit 4x4 high thats the only one that displays and these are not dummy buttons cause they are wired

 

[Blee1099]

Your electronic xfer case will automatically send power to the front wheels when it determines it needs it. Your dash won't light up for the auto, I believe.. I'm not sure if the 04 models 4x4 options are 4AUTO, 4Hi, 4LO like my 97.

 

[seanthenerd]

hey what you have there is a AUTOMATIC 4x4 system. Ford used to use the Control Trac but it may have changed by now on an '04. So here is the deal. When the switch is in the AUTO position it means that your X is in 2 wheel drive UNTIL you on board computer determines that your tires are spinning (example bad weather) then it will AUTOMATICALLY put your X into 4x4 until the computer determines you are no longer slipping then it will return you to 2 wheel drive. Selecting the 4x4 Hi will manulay put your Transfer case into 4x4. Your X will remain in 4x4 hi until you select otherwise. If you select 4x4 low then you again are manually selecting 4x4 with your trnasfer case. This option is called LOW RANGE 4x4 and should really only be used when you need the most power to ALL of you wheels. Check with your manual if you cannot de-select from 4x4 low, in some cases you will need to put the vehicle in neutral to disengage 4x4 low. Hope some of this info clears things up. If you are brand new to the world of 4x4 you might want to check out How Stuff Works. They have great write ups on the workings of automobiles and all other stuff.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/four-wheel-drive.htm

enjoy

 

[chrisrbarrow]

On the 3rd generation Ex's 4x4 auto senses wheel spinning 50 times a second, if there is any wheel spinnig freely the xfer case will automatically (4x4) will send power to a wheel that is not slipping. I really dont know why Ford made a Explorer such as this with 4x4 because with its such low ground clearance you are not going very far off the road, I know this becuase I have a 03 xlt 4x4 and as of right now there are no lift kits for this Ex. I wish i still had my 92 Eddie B Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Integrity]

I appreciate the help at least now understand LOL see i believe the dealership shouldve explained this to me but well the dealership is not happy with me since now i am in a legal battle with them for forging my name and altering a legal document which they got busted on not once but 4 times wish i knew this info before i made the purchase at this place anyway chrisrbarrow Dude I have No idea what you are talking about clearance and wishing it was higher or somehting like that because my explorer is pretty high heck its higher then a honda pilot and just as high as an h2 hummer dont know if it helps but the car came with off road package big tires nice shocks i must say and very smooth ride on regular beat up streets here in central nj

 

[Integrity]

have a look at my other post regarding ac noise maybe one of you knows what the heck is this noise

 

[chrisrbarrow]

I dont know if you have looked at the rear of your Explorer but there is only 7 inches from the ground to the bottom of your vehicle meets up with the shock. The off road package which consists of 245/70-16 tires are only 29.5 inch tires, basically a mini van tire

 

[Integrity]

Hehe perhaps I should take a picture and mail it as a postcard No mini van tire here i can assure you that sure we are talking about same vehicle here and not a atv

 

[chrisrbarrow]

Tell me Integrity, what size tires do you have on that 04 XLT?

 

[snocross1985]

I can assure you guys, no minivan i have ever seen has 29.5" tires. We used to have a Chevy Astro which is technically a full-size van and that came with I believe they were 27" tires, 215/70R/15.

 

[seanthenerd]

Ok guys...enough bickering.

the tires that come on the new X's are not minivan tires!
And if someone was looking for a serious off roading suv they wouldn't have bought one with independant rear suspension. Look how long it took the aftermarket to develop a lift system for the 2nd generation IFS that still had a live rear axle? If you have a 3rd gen X and are thinking of lifting it, your work has certainly been cut out for yourself.

 

[chrisrbarrow]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91963&highlight=sema
take a look at this or go to the explorer forum and do a search and type in sema then go to the second page and find lift kit for 2003 and take a look at these pics!
these lift kits are done they just have not been given to the public!
As for those mini van tires I was giving integrity a hard time because he said his 04 xlt sit as high as a H-2 !!!!