BWM Brown Wire Mod 3rd Gen

[DVRDOWN]

I've got an '02 XLT and I've already had to replace my clutch pack once about 35,000 miles ago. I can feel it starting to slip and go bad again (now at 105,000). Will the BWM prevent the clutch pack from engaging on dry pavement and causing its destruction again? I would much rather do the mod than pay the $ in parts and labor for the clutch pack. I live in south Florida so I don't need the 4x4! Any thoughts?

 

[JCUZ]

I've got an '02 XLT and I've already had to replace my clutch pack once about 35,000 miles ago. I can feel it starting to slip and go bad again (now at 105,000). Will the BWM prevent the clutch pack from engaging on dry pavement and causing its destruction again? I would much rather do the mod than pay the $ in parts and labor for the clutch pack. I live in south Florida so I don't need the 4x4! Any thoughts?

Yes, it definitely stops the 4WD engaging, but not sure whether it actually stops the clutch packs from slipping etc; I'd assume so though, as they would just be spinning like they do when 4WD is not activated, but instead of letting the computer decide it needs to activate or deactivate 4WD, you are making the decision by turning off the transfer case and therefore the 4WD option.

 

[exploded06]

I know I'm in the wrong forum cab any of you tell me if this will work on my 06 xlt?

 

[wet_willy]

it should my haynes lists 02-06 so you should be ok following the instructions for 04 and up. 02 03 had a different design. hope this helps

 

[exploded06]

Thanks willy

 

[Mxrider99]

Did this to my 04 XLT.
Works great

 

[Curtis]

Did this to my 04 XLT.
Works great

did you break the brown wire behind the glove panel, under the hood, or on the transfercase? You wouldnt have a picture would you?

 

[JCUZ]

did you break the brown wire behind the glove panel, under the hood, or on the transfercase? You wouldnt have a picture would you?

FWIW, I did mine at the transfer case, for 2 reasons:

1. It's easy to find
2. You know it's the right brown wire (it's thicker at the T-case than the other brown wires there - see , there are 3, IIRC, but it's the thick one that needs snipping).
3. It's easy to find (did I mention that).

Yes, it means the wire you need to run to it from a switch needs to be long, but it only carries 5V anyway, so it's not like voltage drop matters too much. I went through the firewall and then taped it up to the existing wires running down to the T-case. That way, it's not like it's in the way of anything (or at least about as in the way as the standard T case wires are).

 

[Mxrider99]

did you break the brown wire behind the glove panel, under the hood, or on the transfercase? You wouldnt have a picture would you?

at the transfer case, its a lone wire wrapped in black coiling that goes into the top of the T case, where the other ones are all in a bundle.. I will get a picture for you later tonight or whenever it stops raining around here. It was really easy to do.


I didnt feel like tearing apart my wire looms in the engine compartment.

 

[04exploderer]

pics please!

 

[Mxrider99]

damnit, i forgot to get those pictures, and i dont have my explorer. Its at my bosses house and im driving his chase truck (we had a race this weekend)

 

[stsmoker]

will this mod cause any kind of future problems...especially if you spin tires? i hate not being able to spin tires in my ex =D

 

[JCUZ]

will this mod cause any kind of future problems...especially if you spin tires? i hate not being able to spin tires in my ex =D

Depends what you term "problems". If you do burnouts in 2WD, you may (most likely will) burn out the clutch packs in the transfer case. But if you use 2WD as 2WD, the transfer case will survive just fine (ie no burnouts etc).

 

[dothedeww]

Prolly a stupid question, but would doing donuts in the snow cause damage to the clutch in the transfer case? Or will it the clutch only be damaged by burnouts because its dry pavement?

 

[Curtis]

Prolly a stupid question, but would doing donuts in the snow cause damage to the clutch in the transfer case? Or will it the clutch only be damaged by burnouts because its dry pavement?

A burn out is a burn out any time the rear wheels spin at a different speed than the front. In the transfer case the clutches have tight tolerances. So when the rear plates spin so fast next to the front plates, you get extreme heat and bango!... your transfer case is a pile of $h!t

 

[dothedeww]

Okay. sorry about that, used to having a dodge ram that didnt matter...haha

So how much tolerance are we talking? Like 2 donuts in the snow tearing it up? Or a quarter-mile burnout tearing it up?

 

[Curtis]

Okay. sorry about that, used to having a dodge ram that didnt matter...haha

So how much tolerance are we talking? Like 2 donuts in the snow tearing it up? Or a quarter-mile burnout tearing it up?

Im getting the feeling that you've already done your burn outs...
and are now worried about the damage you might have already done.

well just take it easy. Drive it normally and you'll have no problems.
No one knows any many burnouts it takes to do damage.

If you are wanting to do them that bad, take out the front drive shaft. Its not hard to do. Then your transfer case still spins front and rear like normal, except no power gets to the rear wheels. Some guys have done that here and had no problems. But still... don't do to many.

 

[dothedeww]

I havent done much in the explorer, maybe a snow donut here or there.


But id be tempted more if I do the BWM. But thanks for the info.

 

[Curtis]

I havent done much in the explorer, maybe a snow donut here or there.


But id be tempted more if I do the BWM. But thanks for the info.

Ah so you haven't don't the mod yet...
I think the key is moderation. Id be tempted for a snow donut too.
But the less spin the better.

 

[dothedeww]

Ya, im hoping to get the mod done this month....ive got a lot of other projects to do as well.

I just want it so I can kick out the back end if I want too....ive never been too much into burnouts....tires are too expensive.