91XLT 4x4 Problem .. Switch/Indicators?

[TNR]

Hello everyone.. I have a 1991 XLT, 160k miles.
Just recently, I had the front tires replaced. I took time to look at the hubs while they had them off, they looked clean, no chips, missing teeth etc..
but ever since they did them, my LOW RANGE light has been dimly lit up and there is more vibration and less power from the truck on accel. It feels almost as if the front end drive train is still spinning. It DOES go into 4wheel AND low (the indicator lights up brightly on both when I follow the correct entering and leaving sequence) but backing up does not make that dim LOW RANGE light go off. It feels like its out of 4 wheel, and Im sure it is. I know its out of LOW RANGE because I can't feel the usual reduction.. so three questions...

1> Will I harm my baby by driving this way, with the front spinning all the time (if it is... I dont know how to test this..)
2> Would taking the hubs off, and putting them back on like the tire place did possibly cause them not to unlock?
3> if #2 is the case, can I get some help with reinstalling them the proper way?

I've driven it about 20 miles this way, and tried going into 4wd, and low range then going out, but I was scared to do it too much because its still dry out (snow possibly tomorrow in the north east, may try more since its safer with more slippery roads)

I just got this explorer, its my first and Im very interested in keeping it running right! The 4 wheel ability is why I originally bought it, but Im falling in love with this vehicle more and more every day! If you're up to it, please, I can use any advice you can offer.

PS:Ive also tried searching, but I need to give my truck a voice, and yet Im not quite sure how to get the dash bezel off to work with the radio in it (its not stock, but Im going to add an amp and sub to it.. any quick advice, plus advice on the 4wd problem would be VERY appreciated.

Thanks so much...

A soon to be happy (I Hope) explorer owner

-TNR

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site... You'll find tons of info here, and lots of people willing to help.. Anyway in regards to your 4x4 lights being dimming lit I have the same problem in my X, but it occurs more during colder weather... You can be rest asured that unless the lights are fully lit then you are NOT in 4x4.. If you wanted to test to see if your drive shast was moving you could put put a piece of tape on the front drive shaft and then drive several feet... If the tape didn't move then the T-Case is not in 4H or 4L...

 

[TNR]

Cold weather? Hmmm..

Well, Ford sure got that 4x4 system right. It makes perfect sense that it should have issues during cold weather. Sheesh.

I love your truck by the way, looks like its got alot of attitude

BTW, if you hate rust, you'd be ticked at my truck, rockerpanels, rusted into oblivion, front fenders will need to be replaced (bottom is starting to go)
hatch has rust on it, rear fenders are going to have to be "customized" to get rid of rust near the rear wheel wells... Im up for it though. I know there's a monster in this thing, just gotta bring it out.

I'll try the tape thing on the driveshaft.. remember those Nerf footballs that would whistle when they went thru the air? Someone could make a killing with a device that wraps around a driveshaft and makes an audible wail when spinning. (You patent and develop, I'll take 10% j/k )

Also, I take it this is not the correct place to ask about audio.. Ill search more after work for that and parts trading/buying. (I need alot of interior parts as well)

Thanks!

 

[alexefron]

Just a heads up on the audio, the stock system is amped, and most people have found that it is better to bypass it when installing an aftermarket head. Do a search and you'll find many threads about this issue.

 

[TNR]

Followup on 4x4 issue..

Well you were right! This AM it was warmer (but snowing) and the light was completley off. However, I took my truck in to have the oil changed (sue me, I wasn't in the mood at the moment to do my own change.) and while he was pulling up, it was in 4wd and I noticed a loud clicking sound coming from the front driverside hub. I thought it looked ok when I saw it at the tire change the other day, but I guess it wasn't.

What I get now is while Im in 4wd, I hear some banging coming from the front end, even on VERY slippery terrain. Im assuming that is that faulty (is it?) hub locking hard and then unlocking. I dont' feel it in the wheel hard, and the wheel doesnt try to move like driveline bind.... so would that be the correct assesment? Bad hub?

If so, I mean, I don't love the idea of getting out each time to lock the hubs, but I don't mind it so much if it'll keep the cost down.

Also, if I do convert, how hard of a job is it? Is it like a backyard 30 minute fix or does it require a lift and special tools n whatnot?

And finally, on the audio thing.. thanks for telling me that, I didn't know they were factory amped.. Does this mean that I have to run new speak wires?
All I really want to do is add a sub.. I have amp and sub (nothing great, some offbrand 12" 500watt rms and bandpass box, Jensen 500 watt amp..)

And like I said, the factory radio is gone. It's already been aftermarket converted. I just need to know how to get the damn dash apart to access the back of the headunit.

Thanks so much for the continued support.. (and fast replies I might add)

 

[TNR]

Just a heads up on the audio, the stock system is amped, and most people have found that it is better to bypass it when installing an aftermarket head. Do a search and you'll find many threads about this issue.

Just thought I'd let you know I got the stereo in ok.. Everything is thumpin nicely. I'll take some pics later if you'd like to see my moderatly half assed job.. I even put some sequence LEDS in the speaker box, although, I just superglued them. I hope the sub won't blow them off the side.

 

[TNR]

Damnit! Radio help needed again plz!

I have to replace the head unit again!!!!
The new one I got (sony CDX-F7715X) specifies in the directions to only connect to passive speaks. Does this mean I have to replace the speaks in the door panels? Where are these amps you speak of, are they in the factory head unit, or on the speaks themselves?

If you have any advice I'd really appreciate it. Also, Im having what I think is a suspension problem, its a little noisy when I hit bumps and it feels a little loose like there might be front to back movement when the front tires try to climb the up side of the bump/pothole whatever... is that normal for these older X's?

 

[Maniak]

IF you have the amplified stock system, you can get an amplifier bypass from most stereo stores. If I remember correctly, only vehicles with stock stereos that had a toggle switch for volume had the amplifier.

the amplifier is located behind the panel on the passenger rear (above the tire hump if I remember correctly)..

The bypass just takes the wires that go into and out of the amp and put them together.. The amp is no longer used and regular head units will work.

~Mark

 

[TNR]

ping mark...

Mark, When I got the truck there was an aftermarket unit in there with some *******ized wiring job in the dash. It seems to work ok except for the fact that the balance settings on the radio control the FRONT-BACK variance and the fade settings control the LEFT-RIGHT variance. Could this be cause by the previous owner wiring the radio and leaving the amp in the circut?

 

[Maniak]

If the amp was there, you wouldn't be getting any sound.. But.. they they *******ised the wires to remove the amp, they may have hooked the wires together incorrectly... OR the wires up front were wired incorrectly (e.g. the wires in the truck are fine, they just hooked the front wires from the head unit to the left wires of the truck etc..

~Mark