Brown Wire Mod

[Explorer718]

So I feel like I have read there is all to read about the BWM for the 3rd gens. Only thing I have read is about a grey w/ orange stripe wire but nothing further. I understand the risks involved just curious how to pull this off.

 

[96743explorer]

Huh?????

 

[Explorer0693]

So I feel like I have read there is all to read about the BWM for the 3rd gens. Only thing I have read is about a grey w/ orange stripe wire but nothing further. I understand the risks involved just curious how to pull this off.

little confused on what your trying to ask?

 

[Explorer718]

Sorry probably should have explained it better. Basically you cut power to the diff locker via a switch wired to the "brown" or whatever color the 4th gens are so the auto 4x4 will not kick in making our trucks 2wd. See http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149388 . The mod has been beaten to death for the 3rd gens but I cant find anything for the 4th.

 

[Explorer0693]

Sorry probably should have explained it better. Basically you cut power to the diff locker via a switch wired to the "brown" or whatever color the 4th gens are so the auto 4x4 will not kick in making our trucks 2wd. See http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149388 . The mod has been beaten to death for the 3rd gens but I cant find anything for the 4th.

Why would you wanna make a AWD 2wd? Makes no sense

 

[Explorer0693]

I never have that problem of it kicking in to 2wd i have AWD

 

[Explorer718]

I really dont want to get into the debate as to why I want to disable the auto 4wd (smoking tires ) but gas mileage is one but you can venture into the other thread linked above as to reasons why.

 

[Limited02]

I really dont want to get into the debate as to why I want to disable the auto 4wd (smoking tires ) but gas mileage is one but you can venture into the other thread linked above as to reasons why.

You will not see an improved MPG from doing the BWM. The ONLY time the front will engage while in 4x4 Auto is if the rear tires slip. It will engage for a brief moment and switch back to "2wd."

If you want to give the "BWM" a shot, simply remove the fuses for the 4x4 to prevent it from engaging. I've done it plenty of times on my 3rd gen and it allows for you to do those smokey burnouts...

 

[06BLUE_XLT]

I've pulled the fuse twice, only thing that happens is the traction control light and stuff come on the dash. I like it because then traction control is completely disabled.

 

[Jon04CTSV]

You will not see an improved MPG from doing the BWM. The ONLY time the front will engage while in 4x4 Auto is if the rear tires slip. It will engage for a brief moment and switch back to "2wd."

If you want to give the "BWM" a shot, simply remove the fuses for the 4x4 to prevent it from engaging. I've done it plenty of times on my 3rd gen and it allows for you to do those smokey burnouts...

Had a '08 V8 AWD for a few years and I can assure you AWD kicks in even without rear wheel slippage. On a warm sunny day you can feel it engage the front wheels under moderate acceleration from a stop.

 

[Limited02]

Had a '08 V8 AWD for a few years and I can assure you AWD kicks in even without rear wheel slippage. On a warm sunny day you can feel it engage the front wheels under moderate acceleration from a stop.

If you had an AWD, then you had power sent to the front wheels all the time and that would explain why you'd notice it (torque steer).

With non-AWD (selectable 4x4), the front axles and drive-shaft are always turning (just like an AWD), except no power is being sent to the front wheels because it's not "locked" at the transfer-case. That's why you will not see an improvement in MPG.

I have never noticed the front kick in under moderate acceleration unless the surface was slippery and I drive my Explorer very hard. The only real time my front kicks in is on rainy days because as mentioned, I don't have a light foot. I'm not saying you are incorrect, but I've never had the front kick in unless the rears where slipping.

 

[yoster]

Let me chime in here a bit, as I'm one of the few on this forum who have actually done this mod on this generation of vehicle.

First of all, YES, you will a slight MPG increase. I see anywhere from .5-1mpg. Others with this generation (I think there are only 3 of us) who have performed this mod on this forum have experienced the same thing.

Also to (potentially) correct a previous post, the car is not in "2wd" full time. It's on 70/30 mode. Meaning 70% to the back, 30% to the front. When it detects slip, it engages to a full 50/50 4wd mode. The cutting of the gray wire w/orange stripe does change it to true 2wd. Note - that's what I've been told. I have NOT verified this myself by jacking all 4 wheels off the ground to test the scenario. I can say however, that performing the mod has resulted in an average of .5 increase in mpg.

Regarding your AWD mysteriously kicking in. This can happen if your front (or rear) tires are worn significantly more than the others - or if your'e running 2 different brand of tires. The rotation speeds will be differ (even though the tire might be the same 'spec' 235/60/18 (or whatever,) the actual tire diameter may differ (if ever so slightly) across various brands or even models) and thus, the car will think it's slipping, and lock the front diff. That actually is what lead to me performing this mod. I replaced only 2 of the 4 tires, and whenever my wife would drive the car (her vehicle) around a corner - such as getting onto a freeway (the onramp) the traction light would shine and the car would lock into 4wd. Basically diameter of the rear tires was a bit smaller than those of the front - so - it thought it was slipping.

One thing I haven't noticed - the others who have performed this mod claim that strange shift-clunk (usually when turning at very very low speed) these AWD v8's sometimes exhibits will go away. This mod didn't seem to affect it one way or another for me, sadly.

As far as doing donuts - good luck. The explorer is a heavy suv - it's partly what gives it such an impressive tow rating for its class. Turning those rear tires on dry pavement, even with our larger v8's is quite a tall order.

 

[Explorer718]

Let me chime in here a bit, as I'm one of the few on this forum who have actually done this mod on this generation of vehicle.

First of all, YES, you will a slight MPG increase. I see anywhere from .5-1mpg. Others with this generation (I think there are only 3 of us) who have performed this mod on this forum have experienced the same thing.

Also to (potentially) correct a previous post, the car is not in "2wd" full time. It's on 70/30 mode. Meaning 70% to the back, 30% to the front. When it detects slip, it engages to a full 50/50 4wd mode. The cutting of the gray wire w/orange stripe does change it to true 2wd. Note - that's what I've been told. I have NOT verified this myself by jacking all 4 wheels off the ground to test the scenario. I can say however, that performing the mod has resulted in an average of .5 increase in mpg.

Regarding your AWD mysteriously kicking in. This can happen if your front (or rear) tires are worn significantly more than the others - or if your'e running 2 different brand of tires. The rotation speeds will be differ (even though the tire might be the same 'spec' 235/60/18 (or whatever,) the actual tire diameter may differ (if ever so slightly) across various brands or even models) and thus, the car will think it's slipping, and lock the front diff. That actually is what lead to me performing this mod. I replaced only 2 of the 4 tires, and whenever my wife would drive the car (her vehicle) around a corner - such as getting onto a freeway (the onramp) the traction light would shine and the car would lock into 4wd. Basically diameter of the rear tires was a bit smaller than those of the front - so - it thought it was slipping.

One thing I haven't noticed - the others who have performed this mod claim that strange shift-clunk (usually when turning at very very low speed) these AWD v8's sometimes exhibits will go away. This mod didn't seem to affect it one way or another for me, sadly.

As far as doing donuts - good luck. The explorer is a heavy suv - it's partly what gives it such an impressive tow rating for its class. Turning those rear tires on dry pavement, even with our larger v8's is quite a tall order.

Yoster. Where can I find said wire?

 

[Limited02]

Yoster - I have verified that the front wheels DO NOT spin when the vehicle is off the ground when I pulled the 4x4 fuses (to simulate the BWM). I posted a video earlier in the thread and can repost if needed. Can you please provide where it says the front receives 30% power under normal conditions in 4x4 Auto?

 

[Tech By Trade]

2nd gen sport trac. Here are the links.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385031&highlight=Brown+Wire

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311436

 

[yoster]

Yoster - I have verified that the front wheels DO NOT spin when the vehicle is off the ground when I pulled the 4x4 fuses (to simulate the BWM). I posted a video earlier in the thread and can repost if needed. Can you please provide where it says the front receives 30% power under normal conditions in 4x4 Auto?

Did you check with the fuse not pulled though? Sorry for not being clear, that's what I meant when I said I hadn't verified it. Apologize if that's what your video shows - haven't seen it.

 

[Limited02]

Did you check with the fuse not pulled though? Sorry for not being clear, that's what I meant when I said I hadn't verified it. Apologize if that's what your video shows - haven't seen it.

Without a doubt the front wheels will spin if the fuses are in because the 4wd will kick in as expected. I took the fuses out to simulate the "BWM" and because people said that front will turn regardless. So I took the fuses out, jacked it up and let it all spin. Front wouldn't budge.

*Edit: To be clear, I haven't done the BWM, but pulled my fuses because it's the same thing (disables the 4x4 shift motor).

 

[mcintoshjr]

So if I pull the correct fuse I no longer have automatic 4WD, but if I manually select 4WD I will have it? H or L Range?

 

[MotorCityFats13]

So if I pull the correct fuse I no longer have automatic 4WD, but if I manually select 4WD I will have it? H or L Range?

if you pull the fuse the front will never go into 4wd so you would have a low range 2wd like most trucks let you do.. the BWM will let you go back to 4wd with out getting out and replacing the fuse