Basic Explorer 4x4 questions

[EB4X]

Hey gang,

Most likely picking up a 94 Eddie Bauer 4wd tomorrow... questions.....

1) Which is recommended (necessary --or does it matter) engaging into 4wd....put it in neutral or park or either one?

2) Also....I'm pretty sure (although it's too old to do online VIN check) nor does dealership confirm 100% "this" vehicle.... but don't all 1st gen E.B. 4wd's have Limited Slip??..... I know all the second gen E.B.'s came with limited slip....

3) From your standpoint ....when you engage in 4-low in your personal first gen 4wd...would you say it's pretty torquey / noticeably grabby...really feel the pull?

4) Finally, and not important, but is the general viewpoint that the 1st gen transfer cases are more or less durable compared to the 2nd gen ones...or about the same for longevity/reliability ...?

Thanks. Looking forward to owning the most reliable engine ever made- again...the Ford 4.0 OHV! ....had one in my Ranger I sold to switch to 4X Explorer --- it was just shy of 245,000 all original internals and running like a champ!

 

[timtimtimajim]

1) 4hi can be engaged in any gear. 4low can only be engaged in neutral.

2) Can't say for sure, but I don't think all of them came with with limited slips.

3) I'd say that 4low is pretty torquey. I've used it to pull my buddies out when they're stuck and pull around 50+ foot trees, so there is plenty of torque.

4) Compared to a 2nd gen the transfer cases are probably about the same. The 1354 in the first gens is a very strong transfer case.

 

[EB4X]

Thanks TTTJ !

Also...on the Explorers, is there a recommended max speed in 4 hi ? ....say 50 or 60 ? ...and is it recommend for short periods/ intervals only ? ( I'm aware of not doing a lot of sharp turning when engaged)....thinking long semi- uphill straightaway mountain trails/roads.....

 

[timtimtimajim]

Not a problem!

If my memory serves, my owners manual says 55 as the max speed for 4hi. You can use 4 wheel as long as you like, as long as it's on a low traction surface (snow, ice, gravel, etc.) Using it on a high traction surface isnt recommended because it doesn't allow wheel slip which can be very hard on driveline components.

 

[RangerX]

Check and see if the owners manual is still in the glovebox, it gives a detailed explanation on how and when to use 4hi and 4lo.

 

[arco777]

1) Which is recommended (necessary --or does it matter) engaging into 4wd....put it in neutral or park or either one? As others stated, 4HI in any gear. You can engage it while rolling but I generally prefer to do it at low speed or stopped if possible.

2) Also....I'm pretty sure (although it's too old to do online VIN check) nor does dealership confirm 100% "this" vehicle.... but don't all 1st gen E.B. 4wd's have Limited Slip??..... I know all the second gen E.B.'s came with limited slip.... An easy way to check is to look at the door axle code and cross reference it to the axle codes on the forum. Alternately, check the tag on one of the differential cover bolts. If it is a limited slip, you'd see something like 3L73 indicating a limited slip 3.73 ratio.

3) From your standpoint ....when you engage in 4-low in your personal first gen 4wd...would you say it's pretty torquey / noticeably grabby...really feel the pull? With the gear reduction you should see a noticeable torque increase in 4LO. If it correctly engages, it should jump when you hit the throttle. If you have manual hubs you can test it on dry pavement by leaving the hubs unlocked.

4) Finally, and not important, but is the general viewpoint that the 1st gen transfer cases are more or less durable compared to the 2nd gen ones...or about the same for longevity/reliability ...? The second gen has a few different cases. I have not heard of any with longevity issues, but the AWD cases introduce their own AWD-related issues if tire sizes are not matched, and front diffs tend to wear out as well. On a first gen you have the Borg Warner 13-54, available in manual shift and electronic shift variants. Both are very strong chain driven cases. The manual version is pretty much failure-free, but shift fork pads can wear out over time. Cheap fix, not very hard to do but takes some muscle as you'll be removing the transfer case. The electronic shift version has a shift motor that works well, but has a stop bushing that deteriorates from hardening over time, and when this stop bushing crumbles the motor will over-rotate. When that happens the position sensor will lose track and the system will get confused as to what position the shift motor is in, so it will usually stick in whatever mode the motor was at. Disassembling the shift motor and replacing this stop bushing is easy, just make a new one out of appropriately sized rubber tubing. The rest of the electronic shift system is reliable.

 

[EB4X]

Awesome.......thanks for everyone's input!
Yeah...(on the limited slip) the first thing I'm heading for when I go check this Explorer out is the door sticker axle code......come on "L" or "D" !!

 

[RangerX]

This might help

 

[EB4X]

Thanks chief!.....yeah....had the guy take photo of sticker and text to me...it's a D4 ....so I'm golden!

 

[EB4X]

PICKED her up today.... 94 4wd Eddie Bauer with LS 373's, sunroof, 158K (Purchased new by Suburbs mom - handed down to son/new father -- who doesn't offroad.) Paint and interior condition are nothing to write home about but solid drivetrain - and yes, 4 low IS torquey! Rountinely performed oil changes / new radiator..everything else pretty much original (I have my tools ready)
$1,000 even....guy wouldn't budge an inch lower...worth it ...but who doesn't want a super deal?
Needs front end alignment but after taking care of that and popping in preventive new thermostat / check transf case fluid / diffs etc. will be testing her out on a mild-to-medium sized hill in local canyon......then when river drops down (stock height) will bring her to off-road spot (Azusa, California) for some more fun!
Looks pretty much just like this one:

Thanks again gang...good to have a 4x again....great peace of mind with bulletproof ohv engine.....not a powerhouse...but does the job...
Check back soon with latest.

 

[arco777]

Congratulations on the purchase! Never too early to do preventative maintenance on the trans with a secondary cooler and valve body rebuild.

 

[EB4X]

Yeah..... I know with mileage the trans is ready for failure (my 94 Ranger went out at 140K - being these trans are to work with transfer case do they have significant longevity over 2wd trans?? ) I found a shop on Craigslist who does Ford only - trannys / transf cs who said they would rebuild trans / 1 year warranty for only $750! ...that's almost half less than my "inexpensive connection" (and no...I don't have to remove and install tranny - it's included for that!) Makes one wonder how reliable kit will be..... might roll the dice though..

 

[arco777]

PATC in Texas sells a performance built A4LD if you want a complete solution.

I am at 197k on my original A4LD with hard usage. It has even been overheated once, so badly it puked the fluid out. It still shift like butter. I attribute this to my valve body work and frequent fluid changes. A couple Sonnax upgrades too. Nothing internal has been touched.

I doubt there would be any reliability differences between 2WD/4WD applications. Vehicle weight (2dr/4dr, options, weight of 4wd components, operating climate (fluid temps), and rear end gear ratio would have more effect on lifetime trans stresses.

 

[Rhett]

PICKED her up today.... 94 4wd Eddie Bauer with LS 373's, sunroof, 158K (Purchased new by Suburbs mom - handed down to son/new father -- who doesn't offroad.) Paint and interior condition are nothing to write home about but solid drivetrain - and yes, 4 low IS torquey! Rountinely performed oil changes / new radiator..everything else pretty much original (I have my tools ready)
$1,000 even....guy wouldn't budge an inch lower...worth it ...but who doesn't want a super deal?
Needs front end alignment but after taking care of that and popping in preventive new thermostat / check transf case fluid / diffs etc. will be testing her out on a mild-to-medium sized hill in local canyon......then when river drops down (stock height) will bring her to off-road spot (Azusa, California) for some more fun!
Looks pretty much just like this one:

Thanks again gang...good to have a 4x again....great peace of mind with bulletproof ohv engine.....not a powerhouse...but does the job...
Check back soon with latest.

Congrats on your purchase. $1000 is a steal for a working 4x4.
The truck in the above picture looks a little bit lifted to me. That's not the one you bought, correct?

You can pull trees out with 4LO -- it has beast torque. As for 4HI -- I know you can shift in at low to mod speed, but I always stop when I do it. It makes me feel better doing it that way I suppose.