Ford Explorer 4x4 auto system, how does it work?

[Silver X]

Yes, the '01+ Sport (2dr) has the 2wd/4high/4low selector. No 4Auto or AWD available.

 

[dyork]

I'm sorry manaen, when I meant normal driving, I meant like normal wheel slipage as opposed to hammering down on the foot feed. Yeah, if it locked in on dry pavement for no apparent reason, then I would be a bit worried. But when I pull out on a slippery day like today (rain turned to ice) I know that the front will try to engage at some point. Thanks again.

 

[xdviper]

How about when I lifted my X on that lifting thing to check out the hand brakes, The car was shifted to D, only the front left and rear right was turning, once the rear right was held to check the handbrakes, the left rear started wheeling. my question, why wasn't the 4 wheel engaged at that moment?

ps: just to clear somethings up, my 97 has AUTO, 4WDH,4WDL

 

[IZwack]

Thats the thing, there is no such thing as "four wheel drive" unless you have lockers (or limited slip) on both axles. If your vehicle came with a Limited Slip rear differential, then technically your vehicle is a three wheel drive (some question the Limited Slip's dependability and would probably call a vehicle with it a 2.5 wheel drive ) -- but that is the most "wheel drive" a vehicle came with from the factory

If your vehicle is stuck just a bit, there is a technique that helps somewhat and that is by holding down the brake pedal just a little bit while at the same time holding down the gas just a little bit to get the rear wheels to start turning (in other words, enough to overcome the brake you're applying). What this does is imitate artificial grip on the wheel that isnt (in reality) gripping and therefore transfers SOME power to the wheel that is gripping.

 

[gijoecam]

Indeed, 4wd with open diffs is 2wd at best.

That's the joy of open differentials: The power is always sent to the wheel with the least resistance. Maybe the CV joint on one corner is a little tighter, or the bearing has less wear, or the brak is dragging ever-so-slightly-more on one side.... at any rate, so long as one front and one rear wheel were spinning, the 4wd was engaged.

 

[manaen]

The good news is, for pretty good price you could get a mini locker that will fit right inside you open diff and can be installed at home, something that can't be done on a limited slip differential (without changing the carrier)

Although, you need to ask yourself if you really need the extra traction, a locker will change the handling of your truck in slippy conditions, sometimes for the worse. So unless you really need the extra traction or understand what your getting into with a locker it is normally not recommended.

 

[dyork]

When you go around corners, that rear or front locked in is going to drag one of the wheels. What you can do is go to Eaton differentials, they make an electronic one that when you put power to it, a magnet pulls two springs appart to lock both axles in, turning a limited to a positive with the push of a button. But the catch is the carrier has to be changed.

 

[manaen]

A properly working locker will not drag a wheel on a turn, only if it is not working properly. The only thing you may notice is a slight ratcheting sound on some of the units and a clunk on others, when the unit unlocks.

Now if you power into a turn, then it is going to lock the wheels and one wheel may churp

 

[IZwack]

A properly working locker will not drag a wheel on a turn, only if it is not working properly. The only thing you may notice is a slight ratcheting sound on some of the units and a clunk on others, when the unit unlocks.

x2 -- a locker wont drag a tire around a turn if you're not powering through the turn.