If your 4WD switch looks like this AUTO, 4HI, 4LO then...

[taxx]

So how cool is this mod! Next to my locker and sliders one of the most usefull mods I have done. Usually I am switching in and out of 4 lo cause I have to drive on some harder surfaces and such, what a pain, stop neutral...yada yada yada.... but today I was able to run 2 lo most of the day, then switch to 4 lo on the fly when I needed it!

SWEET!

 

[JoshC]

Originally posted by taxxman2k
but today I was able to run 2 lo most of the day, then switch to 4 lo on the fly when I needed it!

That's i use mine for, it is a great mod, and it is free! This really is worth the few minutes of wiring to have this.

Happy trails!!

 

[Perrin]

Question

Maybe it is becuase I am a newbie and I am not to keen on how all this stuff works. However it seems to me that if you switch is placed in the 4X4 hi position and you flip the switch to cut power to the front transfer case that you would lose half of your power. If your computer is spliting the power to half in the front and half in the back then cuttign all power to the front seems like it would on leave 50% in the back. I could be wrong about this but it is just a thought that I had. I was wanting to know if anyone else knows about this, before I go through with the mod. Seems to me that it might not be worth it if that is the case. Let me know if I am completly wrong. Thanks you guys are akways kick A$$ when it comes to questions.

 

[JoshC]

I've been using this mod for several months now. I've not noticed any loss in power what so ever in any 4wd mode. I drives exactly the same as is does in 4wd, except that the front wheels are spinning.

Happy trails!!

 

[dogfriend]

Re: Question

Originally posted by Perrin
If your computer is spliting the power to half in the front and half in the back then cuttign all power to the front seems like it would on leave 50% in the back.

Your engine delivers a certain amount of torque to the transfer case input thru your transmission. In the Control Trac case, in 2wd mode, that torque is all transferred to the rear driveshaft and then to the rear wheels.

In 4wd High, some of the torque (not actually 50%) is applied to the front driveshaft (and then to the front wheels). This is done by engaging a clutch pack in the transfer case which then turns the front driveshaft. The clutch pack is actuated by an electromagnetic coil which is supplied by the infamous brown wire. The clutch is not engaged all of the time in either 4wd Auto or in 4wd High, but pulsed on and off by the GEM computer according to the readings from the front and rear driveshaft sensors and other engine sensors. In 4wd Low, the computer ramps the time that the clutch is on to the maximum value, which gives a 50/50 split of torque even though the clutch pack is still being pulsed on and off (most of the time on).

What the mod does is that by disconnecting the brown wire, no power is applied to the electromagnetic clutch, no matter what the GEM is trying to do. When power is not applied to the clutch pack, there is a spring which pulls it back to disengage it. Therefore, all of the torque is applied to the rear driveshaft just as I described in the first paragraph.
No power is "lost", all torque is applied to the rear wheels only.

 

[Perrin]

Thanks

Thanks Dogfriend for clearing that up for me. That makes perfect sence to me now. As I said before you guys kicks for answering all the silly questions that I have.

 

[97 Eddie Bauer v8]

Okay, I have a question. I tried asking Stad2x, but he must be unavailable. I have a AWD v8- and I want to convert T-cases with the advanced adapters kit. I have an eddie bauer, so a manual case is out of the question. I will either go with the 4405 or 1354-e. I don't know if i can go with any other units, but up till now, those are the 2 options. I do not care for or want control-trac. If i go with the 1354-e will i need the GEM? is there any advantages or disadvantages of going with either one? All i want is to get rid of AWD and be able to control myself 4hi, 4lo, 2wd via the switch the 4x4 models have near the radio.

I need to know what I need besides the advanced adaptor, t-case, radio-bezel switch. like a GEM or any harnesses. I see where the fellas with control-trac have GEM's and a brown wire going to their t-case, what is this a part of, meaning what all do i need to get for what t-case i chose. This is the same mod stad2x did but as i said he isn't answering me. : (

 

[Doug]

Why not go with a manual t-case? there is nothing stopping you from doing it. A manual t-case is going to be alot more reliable than an electric shift. Once i put my new rear axle im going to be installing a bw 1354 m in my 97.

 

[97 Eddie Bauer v8]

because i have an eddie bauer. if you were ever inside a EB the center console takes up a lot of room. Plus even if i had the room i wouldnt wanna drill my truck.

 

[Muskrat]

5 spd, try finding room around that

 

[97 Eddie Bauer v8]

I guess i'll go with a 4405. Which one:

4x4 (part time, electric shift), ID F57A-7A195-CA
4x4 (part time, electric shift), ID F67A-7A195-RA
4x4 (part time, electric shift), ID F77A-7A195-GA

Parts website gives me those 3. Now i need to know what else i need.

 

[Robert]

Did The Mod

I did the modification last Saturday. I spliced in to the brown wire under the driver's seat. I didn't use a relay, but instead used a 15A lighted switch. The only problem I ran into was that when I scoped out a place for my switch, I didn't think to put it in Drive first so it is somewhat hidden behind my shifter Operation is awsome!. I like the lighted switch. With my switch on and in Auto 4x4 it glows lightly as a result of the 4% torque going to the front wheels. When I put my 4x4 switch into High or Low it glows nice and bright. Also, this morning we had a bit of rain. I gave it a bit too much gas when making a right hand turn and watched my switch light up briefly as my rear tires lost traction. It was so cool I did it again Here is my switch when I have Auto enabled. You can just make out the glow.

 

[Robert]

Here's my switch with my 4x4 switch in High.

 

[Robert]

And here is an in focus picture of my switch

 

[dogfriend]

Thats pretty cool. I didn't realize there was enough clearance for a switch in that location.

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by 97 Eddie Bauer v8
I guess i'll go with a 4405. Which one:

4x4 (part time, electric shift), ID F57A-7A195-CA
4x4 (part time, electric shift), ID F67A-7A195-RA
4x4 (part time, electric shift), ID F77A-7A195-GA

Parts website gives me those 3. Now i need to know what else i need.

You should keep trying to get in touch with Stad2x, because it sounds like he has already done what you want to do.

Im guessing that the 3rd number is the correct one for a 97 (eg F7 where 7 stands for the year.) The 7A195 is the correct part number for the BW 4405 case which is the Control Trac transfer case.

At a minimum, you will need a compatible GEM, the Torque On Demand relay and any of the harnesses that are not already in your truck because it is a AWD system.

The electronic control for the transfer case is not exactly straightforward. I would suggest getting a factory manual CD so you will have all of the schematics and diagnostic info.

 

[Nate1]

Wahoo skippy! This is exactly the mod I was looking to do. I'll be preping for it and hopfully doing it tomorrow. My plans are to use a silver stainless steel toggle switch inside my center console (adding blue led later), with the relay setup.

I'll take pics, and mabey do a writeup since the methods for doing this seem kinda cluttered and confusing to people. ... FINALLY, DOUGHNUTS IN THE EXPLORER! I can hardly wait.


Thanks to whomever found this mod!!!
-----Nate

 

[Doug]

I'll take pics, and mabey do a writeup since the methods for doing this seem kinda cluttered and confusing to people. ... FINALLY, DOUGHNUTS IN THE EXPLORER! I can hardly wait.

Now just remember when you roll its not our fault.

 

[Nate1]

Hey now... did I say HIGH SPEED doughnuts? Were talkin wet field doughtnuts... nothing over 15 mph (okay, well... yeah.) Woah woah woah... waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit .... are you saying explorers are prone to flipping?! NEVER!

It's not your fault... I'll just strap on some training wheels...

 

[Ryan1]

Hey 97 Eddie Bauer v8, not to be an ass, but you signature can only be 6 lines.

Might wanna clear that up before moderator give you lashings

Ryan