5.0 vs 4.0 on the fly

[eckerd_explorer]

so, i've come to the conclusion to not tare down my 4.0 OHV block to replace the heads. Instead, I'm gonna trade it in on a newer 5.0, 97-00.
My question is;

My 4.0 xlt has the fly switch for 2 wheel, 4low, auto all wheel (or along those lines). I like having the options there, especiall off road or in the snow. I've noticed that all the 5.0's i've been looking at do not have this feature, just the plain old 4x4 AWD.
Is there a specific model that has the v8 with the fly switch? Or, is that just how they come? Pros and Cons for the 5.0 AWD would be good to know.

any help??
thanks,
tony

 

[kert0307]

the 5.0 V8's only had AWD or 2wd as options, so no 4wd transfercases for the v8

(AWD "All wheel drive" is different then auto 4wd...)

 

[eckerd_explorer]

can you explain in a nutshell how it works, say, in an off road situation i.e. mudd, gravely hills....etc.

is it like constant 4 wheel drive?

 

[Joey P]

AWD, all the time no switch and mechanical. It's like driving around in 4HI all the time. I beleive the awd transfer case sends 35% to the front and 65% to the rear at all times. Does this help?

 

[kert0307]

All wheel drive is like having another differential where the transfer case is in a regular 4x4. It is made more for on road driving and not off road, there are people one here that off road with them though. Also, you can't put a locker in an awd

 

[eckerd_explorer]

so, is the 5 liter better than the 4 liter on and off road??? i'm not a heavy into off roading, but i like to play when i can. but i'd really like to have the extra power, i'm moving across the country in a few months and will be towing a light trailer and i don't wanna have to worry about my wearing out my tranny in a v6.....

 

[Aussie Explorer]

AWD is not better then 4WD off road they are different thing’s, 4WD will lock the toque 50/50 with front and back axels and not allow slip, AWD will only split the toque 35/65 or what ever and will allow slip, no comparison off road 4WD will win 4WD also has a nice little back up called Low Range .

 

[eckerd_explorer]

so, should i be looking at a 4.0 SOHC instead of a 5.0 to replace my OHV??? I'm just looking for something to best suit my needs, the Ex is gonna stay the road for the most part, only plans i have for it would be aal, tt, maybe shackles..... thanks this really helps in my decision.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Off road, real 4WD will get you further than an AWD ever will, that being said you need to decide what you want to do with it, for just road driving and light trails then AWD will be fine but 4WD gives you more options on where you can go.

Personally I can’t understand why they made the V8 AWD anyway like what was the point.

For towing a light trailer I can’t see the SOHC V6 having any problems.

The V8 would be nice and you know that it is a good proven engine with non of the potential Timing chain issues of the SOHC but you guy’s seem to have a bit of cover from Ford on that anyway.

I would say if you are into 4Wding then go the SOHC with Full 4WD capability, if manly road and light trail then the V8 would be the go.

 

[eckerd_explorer]

thanks man.....

 

[410Fortune]

You can use several different transfer cases behind the 5.0L V8.
I have a 93 Explorer low range electric shift BW 1354 T case behind my 97 Explorer V8 and transmission.

I suggest you do a search and then ALOT of research if you plan to convert to a V8 drivetrain. I would NOT put the AWD t case in my 4x4 truck.

 

[kcjeeper]

AWD is not better then 4WD off road they are different thing’s, 4WD will lock the toque 50/50 with front and back axels and not allow slip....

Just trying to clear-up a common misconception.

A locked transfer case, such as 4HI or 4Low does not always split the torque 50/50. It is 50/50 only when the front and rear axles have equal resistance to rotation. What IS 50/50 is the rotation of each driveshaft. For every rotation of the rear driveshaft there is an equal rotation of the front. So if the rear tires loose traction they will not spin wildly but will only turn as fast as the front which has greater traction and thus more torque is going to the front driveshaft. With a locked transfer case as much as 100% of the torque can be transfered to any driveshaft, so even if your front tires are completely off the ground you can still move because 100% of the available torque is going to the rear tires.

When you install a locker the same thing happens with your axle. Each will have the same rotational speed regardless of traction which is why it can be difficult to drive on pavement if you are locked with a spool or ARB which is engaged.

An open differential is what splits the torque 50/50...not rotational speed, but torque.

Think about it for a while and it will make sense.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

"So even if your front tires are completely off the ground you can still move because 100% of the available torque is going to the rear tires." Buh…. Yes but power would still be being transferred to the front drive shaft and the front wheels would still be spinning in the air as the centre diff lock is engaged so the propeller shafts are locked together.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Just re-read your post a picked up on what you were saying, “What IS 50/50 is the rotation of each drive shaft” this is what I was saying I just worded it badly