Control Trac?

[bubba123]

HELLO EVERYONE!
I am new to this forum I own a '94 xlt and I am considering buying a "new" '96 xlt. It has something called I think control trac 4X4 that I am not familiar with. There is a dial on the dash to turn from 2wd to 4wd to 4wd low. Does anyone know anything about this, Good bad or otherwise? I don't want to get something that is a big problem. It appears to work fine now. The truck very well maintained. a real cream puff one owner with only 88k on the clock. Thanks for any feedback you can send!

 

[dogfriend]

Hi, Welcome to the Forum.


The Control Trac system in the 96 Explorer has 2wd, 4wd Auto and 4wd Low options. There is a vacuum disconnect at the front axle to allow 2wd. 4wd Auto is a mode where the Transfer Case will send torque as needed when the rear wheels slip. It monitors the front and rear driveshaft speeds with electronic sensors and engages an electronic clutch in the TC to send torque as needed to the front wheels. The 4wd Low mode is essentially a 50/50 split of torque and a 2.48 to 1 reduction in low range.

Here is a thread with more discussion about the merits/disadvantages of Control Trac:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23678&highlight=Control+Trac

 

[bubba123]

Thanks for all the info. I am happy to see everyone seems to like it and that it isn't full of problems.

 

[dynamite196]

It works pretty well, you def noticed the improved handling in auto mode compared to 2wd mode. I still prefer a manual TC but ford did a decent job with the electronics on this one.