diff/vac Disconnect Question

[WhiteLimited]

Hey guys, I have a off question here...

If someone has a 95-96 4x4 Explorer with the vacuum(s/p) disconnect front diff...Would it be possible to swap in a 97-01 front diff without that vacuum disconnect and would the 4x4 still work right on the 95-96 truck?

Any information would be great on this subject, Thanks!

 

[IZwack]

Yes the 4wd should still work -- although I'm not sure if the system (called the Central Axle Disconnect - or CAD) uses sensors so if thats true, then the vehicle might throw some trouble codes. But yeah the 4wd should still work.

 

[WhiteLimited]

Yes the 4wd should still work -- although I'm not sure if the system (called the Central Axle Disconnect - or CAD) uses sensors so if thats true, then the vehicle might throw some trouble codes. But yeah the 4wd should still work.

Thanks, Any one else?

 

[gijoecam]

Yup. It should. There is a 4x4 disconnect switch on it that needs to be grounded when in 4auto (a brown wire, should be connected to it). But mechanically, it should work fine.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

It will work.

If you or your buddy discard your vac disco axle, I'd be interested in a few parts from it.

 

[WhiteLimited]

It will work.

If you or your buddy discard your vac disco axle, I'd be interested in a few parts from it.

I will keep that in mind

 

[Hartman]

Good call on ditching that vacuum disconnect. The thing is a pain in the ass.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Good call on ditching that vacuum disconnect. The thing is a pain in the ass.

Haha... I just "upgraded" from a "solid" IFS to the Disco one, so I can run an aussie locker.

 

[Hartman]

Haha... I just "upgraded" from a "solid" IFS to the Disco one, so I can run an aussie locker.

I understand, it's fine when it works, but mine has given me fits.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I understand, it's fine when it works, but mine has given me fits.

The electronics or the actual disco on the axle? What kinds of spares would you carry?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Aaron, did you pull your cover off and look at the "guts" of the disconnect? It's an excellent design IMO, so long as it is engaged when stopped, there shouldn't be any issue. If there was an issue with a vac line or similar, it could easily be pulled to the engaged side with your hands and wired in place.

For my use the vac disco front diffy is the only way to go. The F150's used them for years, less rotating parts is always better IMO.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Aaron, did you pull your cover off and look at the "guts" of the disconnect? It's an excellent design IMO, so long as it is engaged when stopped, there shouldn't be any issue. If there was an issue with a vac line or similar, it could easily be pulled to the engaged side with your hands and wired in place.

For my use the vac disco front diffy is the only way to go. The F150's used them for years, less rotating parts is always better IMO.

I did... and I think it'll be fine. I have a feeling most issues would be with the vac line solenoids, as I've seen them fail on other vehicles more than any other part in comparable systems. One side of the originals I picked up from the yard was bad, and both solenoids on my Dad's 2000 Isuzu Trooper (which uses a very similar system) failed. When his went, I just used a barbed splice to bypass the solenoid and leave the axle engaged. We could easily do that on our Mountaineers, too.

Having directly wired solenoids doesn't hurt either, the GEM control of the axle engagement makes operation soccer-mom friendly, but overly complicated.

Right now I just need the wiring harness that goes to the position switch on the axle, but spares of the actuator and solenoids wouldn't hurt.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I may have an extra wiring harness- let me dig around and see what I have. :scratch:

 

[gijoecam]

If nothing else, just see if you can adapt a kit from 4x4 posi-lok for a 97-03 F-150 to work on an Explorer. It might take some custom bracketry, but the two systems are remarkably similar in design (the F-150 is just super-sized).

-Joe

 

[WhiteLimited]

If nothing else, just see if you can adapt a kit from 4x4 posi-lok for a 97-03 F-150 to work on an Explorer. It might take some custom bracketry, but the two systems are remarkably similar in design (the F-150 is just super-sized).

-Joe

Yeah, Well the Ranger and Explorer are the same right? Every one?

 

[gijoecam]

Yeah, Well the Ranger and Explorer are the same right? Every one?

Where did I say or imply that in my statement? I said it might be possible because the systems are similar... Is there something illogical about that?

 

[WhiteLimited]

Yeah, Well the Ranger and Explorer are the same right? Every one?

My bad that was for every one else not you sorry...