AWD vs. 4wd

[justin99]

I have an 02 V8 4x4, not AWD. So they did not make all 3rd Gen V8's with AWD.

 

[gijoecam]

I have an 02 V8 4x4, not AWD. So they did not make all 3rd Gen V8's with AWD.

But you only have a single speed transfer case, correct? (i.e. no selectable low range)

-Joe

 

[justin99]

But you only have a single speed transfer case, correct? (i.e. no selectable low range)

-Joe

no, mine is selectable. i have auto 4x4, 4x4 high and 4x4 low

 

[valiantski]

I have an 03' V8 4.6, Eddie Bauer and have 4x4 auto, 4Hi and 4 Low, I believe it's always on 4x4 auto unless you select 4Hi or 4 Low. Mine also have trac control.

 

[gijoecam]

Interesting. Never knew they offered the two-speed case with the V-8.

Now it's got me wondering: What (if anything) uses the single-speed TOD case?

-Joe

 

[Mbrooks420]

The third gens got the same selectable low range as the v6's when they did away with the 5r55e, and the 4r70w, and went with a single transmission for both v6, and v8.

 

[gijoecam]

Something must use the single-speed case or the AWD case, otherwise they wouldn't have a listing for it in the service manual. It may not have been an option for the buying public here in teh states, but maybe Canada, or export models came with the single speed instead of the AWD. I don't have any way of knowing. Just curious, that's all.

-Joe

 

[jrford]

I would second the drop of AWD in '05, only way to get AWD is a Mountaineer now. Don't the Factory Books come as Explorer/Mountineer therefore it would have to list the AWD for the Mounty even though the X dosn't have it?

I have a '04 v8 AWD and I love it. I have driven a '04 v8 4wd my buddy has and its clunky, the tires slip then it kick in.

 

[Tilt168]

wait they made '04 sports??? this is news to me!

Recently bought an 04 XLS-Sport 4x4. This topic is interesting to me because I thought that the AWD models were RWD until wheel-slippage was detected, where it would then transfer torque to the front wheels as well, therefore "usually" being 2wd for most uses, and thus being more MPG-economical. The AWD models are also rated, I believe, 1 or 2mpg above the 4x4 models.

Mine is a 4x4, and is in 4x4 all the time without being able to go to 2wd. Its default is AUTO 4x4 which as I understand it works similar to the AWD system in detecting wheel slippage, where it directs more torque to the wheels with the most traction. Also it has 4x4 Hi and 4x4 Lo which can be engaged and removes the slippage detection and just puts 25% torque to each wheel.

I'm probably wrong though, but that is what I thought in regards to the AWD versus 4x4 models... AWD models are 2wd (rwd) until poor conditions are detected, 4x4 are full-time 4wd.

I'm new to the Explorer and 4x4's completely, so let me know just how far off I am!

All the best,

Scott

 

[japes]

There were 2 AWD systems offered on the Mountaineer and Aviator, and 1 on the Explorer. The Explorer and the system on the Mount, and Aviator without Advance-trac stability control is a 65%rear 35% front torsen system. If you have a Mount or Aviator with the Advance-trac stability control the system that is almost exclusively RWD until slippage is detected when up to 50% of power can be transferred up to the front -- you can tell if you have this system as you can LOCK 4X4 as option in the message center.

 

[skawtland]

wait they made '04 sports??? this is news to me!

Yeah, but it is just a trim-level and not like the Sports of past. It's a 4dr XLS but what the Sport level added is apparently aluminium wheels, running boards, higher level centre console, carpets... little things like that. Not sure if they did an XLT-Sport trim or not, as far as I know it was just an option on the XLS, as it added what the XLT already had as standard equipment.

...Just looked around the web and yes there is also an XLT-Sport package that added little things here and there also.

 

[schadler]

I have the AWD on a 97 and it is great in deep snow, sandy beaches (as long as you air-down), unpaved roads and even some pretty deep muddy ruts. Unless you are into serious offroad, I would save the $$$ on a 4x4 conversion and just put it towards gas to Tahoe or wherever...

Let's put it this way...I never got stuck, and I'm a bit of a fool...going places I generally shouldn't.

 

[410Fortune]

the 4x4 conversion can save you $$$ on gas though, I gained approx 4mpg with my manual t case over the AWD case.
I spent about $400 total on the conversion and will sell my AWD t case for $200 so that only leaves $200 to make up for in gas which should just be a matter of months at 4mpg

AWD is *****in, way better then 2wd in any condition, the 4x4 conversion is alot of work and not for everone, but it is a possability for some and has its benefits including MPG, better 4x4hi traction and of course low range.

 

[reserved50]

I drove my AWD and 4X4 Exploder in snow just recently, the difference is night and day for on the street, the 4x4 if you spin the tires it'll also spin the front tires and allow you to plow and understeer into a curb etc, same thing with straight ahead driving, spinning the tires will send you into a 4 wheel drift sideways. For off-road/rock climbing etc the limited slip rear open front diff is ok for minor stuff.
AWD for the street but expect a slightly tighter steering feel and drop in mileage, but if it rains a bit etc its worth it

 

[CDW6212R]

In 2002 the four door Explorers etc. have a new transmission for each engine, the V8 and V6. Those transmissions(5R55W,5R55E) both have the same output bolt pattern. The same transfer cases fit either, both transmissions, both the V8 and the V6.

Those transmissions no longer have short tailshaft connector housings, to mesh the trans with the transfer case. The 2WD model and 4WD transmission are the same basic thing, the 2WD simply has a very small rear cover. The transfer cases bolt to that same location. All previous transmissions have a unique output shaft for 2WD or 4WD models, plus the different tail housings.

Thus both transfer cases can be installed behind either engine, and either transmission. The V8 5R55W(and the Aviator version) has wide ratio gearing, the V6 5R55E trans has close ratio gearing.

I learned all this from trying to get AWD into my 99 V6 Limited. The 4.0 V6's can have AWD, but only with the 2002+ BW4410 transfer case, 2002+ 5R55E, plus the 2002+ V6 PCM, wiring, etc.(too much trouble). Regards,

 

[pipesmash]

i have a 97 eb and i was working in the dash an saw the harness that the 4x4s have but its pluged to a dummy slot if you buy the switch and turn it to auto will it go 2wd i thought abought and the way you guys talk thats near impossible i thought to try it but im a little nervious

 

[Mbrooks420]

If you have the harness going to the dummy tab I assume you have a v8? If thats the case no switch will make your truck 2wd. To correctly make your truck 2wd you would have to swap in a selectable case, along with other parts like driveshafts.

 

[gijoecam]

No, it will not. The V-8 AWD transfer case is a mechanical unit. No amount of switches or knobs affects its function.

-Joe

 

[storlied]

So what does the wiring harness to go behind the spot that Would be the switch for auto, 4l, 4h?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Yes. The V8's have the same 4wd wiring provisions that V6's have, just nothing for the wires to actually do.