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

[JoshC]

Thanks Jeff, that means i can put my baby back together tonight!

tenikiwon, this is alittle bit off the subject but my MTs are a 100% difference then my ATs in the mud. I really think my ATs suck off road because i'm use to using my MTs. My opinion though.

Happy trails!!

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by tenikiwon
Ok
I was in regular 2WD on dry pavement. I do have stock tires though that don't look very good. I wouldn't think I'd have more traction that you BFG TA/KO's but maybe more pavement and less (ok NO) traction in mud

BTW - How do you like those tires and what size?
I was thinking about 'em but have heard many people say you HAVE to get the Mud Terrains.

I looked at BFG's website and OVERALL the TA/KOs are much better. The Muds are only 1 point (on a scale from 1 to 10) better in mud.

I have 31 x 10.5-15's and I love 'em!! Haven't got the truck stuck yet with them on. HOWEVER, I don't do a lot of mudding (I kinda avoid it as much as possible. See the "Muddiest Truck" thread). For general offroading they work very well. They also are excellent in the snow and still have pretty good road manners. For serious offroading (deep mud, serious rock climbing), I would go with something else, but if you only do mild to moderate off roading, and spend a lot of time on pavement, they are great. Worth the money in my book.

 

[jasonb]

what would be the advantage of 2hi over 2lo or vice versa.. mainly what situations would you use one or the other in?
seems like you'd ride around normally in 2hi?

thanks!

 

[JoshC]

Oh Jason! Man, 2lo is the way to go, didn't for it to sound like that! But it is great. I have a rear locker so when i go off road, i stick it in 2lo and i really don't need 4 lo a whole lot unless i hit the mud. It makes it easier for me since i have a 5speed to control and i don't use the clutch near as much when i'm puttin through the woods. I've used to move our camper in some tight spots, pull some logs. All kinds of stuff. I'm not sure how it would work for you in an automatic, but in a manual, it is great. It's with out a doubt the best mod i've came up with! And it's free.

Happy trails!!

 

[topo4u2]

Question, but a little off topic,
On a 95-6 control trac that is in 2wd mode. The front driveshaft from the case to the diff should not turn while driving?

 

[dogfriend]

Yes, in 2wd, the vacuum disconnect should disconnect the front driveshaft from turning with the front wheels.

I don't have this version, but my understanding is that when you switch to 4wd Auto, the GEM first turns on the vacuum disconnect to lock the driveshaft to the front wheels, then engages the transfer case clutch. There is a delay to allow the front disconnect to engage before applying torque to it.

 

[topo4u2]

Thanks again DF, I kinda figured something like that. Its funny though because with my old case(seal leak) in 2wd the front shaft was locked with case, I mean I could not turn it by hand. I know this because I crawled under not too long ago and tried to grease the ujoints. I was pissed because I could not turn the shaft by hand to get at the fittings and wondered why. I just thought that it was supposed to be like that. Now with this used case that is in her the shaft spins no problem, the way it should be I guess, just got to get the light thing fixed. I do wonder though if it might be just a connection, why do the lights flash only on shifting on the fly....it makes me think it might be internal....hope not!

 

[JoshC]

Finished putting mine together last night. Works great. All i did was put a switch in line and it works. Kind of nice not to have restart the vehicle when i need 4wd.

Happy trails!!

 

[stadx2]

Originally posted by dogfriend
Yes, in 2wd, the vacuum disconnect should disconnect the front driveshaft from turning with the front wheels.

I don't have this version, but my understanding is that when you switch to 4wd Auto, the GEM first turns on the vacuum disconnect to lock the driveshaft to the front wheels, then engages the transfer case clutch. There is a delay to allow the front disconnect to engage before applying torque to it.

Actually, the tranfer-case engages first to spin up the the left side of the axle (the driveshaft side) to sync up with the right side of the axle. With both axle spinning the same speed, the spline collar attached to the vacuum actuator can side over both axle splines thus engaging the entire front axle. Then the axle is connected.
All the axle disconnect is doing is severing the axle near the passenger side CV joint, it doesn't do anything at the hubs like it did on the 98-99 Ranger. This still leaves the driver's side axle connected to the front drive shaft. But because the front differential bevel gears have less friction to turn then it does to turn the entire front driveshaft, the axle spins on the passeneger side of the differential in the opposite direction because of the differential action.
So with the two axle halves spinning in opposite directions at the disconnect, this is why the transfer case must be engaged first. Otherwise you would have a big mess.

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by stadx2
Actually, the tranfer-case engages first to spin up the the left side of the axle (the driveshaft side) to sync up with the right side of the axle. With both axle spinning the same speed, the spline collar attached to the vacuum actuator can side over both axle splines thus engaging the entire front axle. Then the axle is connected.

How does the GEM know when the two axles are spinning the same speed?

Like I said, I don't have the same system so I'm not sure of all the details. From the patent information, they said that the hubs should be engaged first, then the t-case clutch so that shock loading of the hubs doesn't occur. Maybe Ford decided that this wasn't so important with the vacuum disconnect?

 

[JoshC]

They don't have hubs, just like yours. My guess is that it would know that they were both spinning the same speed through the ABS sensors. I don't have that year either, but that's what i thought about.

Happy trails!!

 

[alfcapone]

Is it a positiv + or a negative - current on the br/wi wire does anybody know? im planning to connect a "led" on the br/wi from the GEM, that will light up when the GEM wants to engage the front wheel. Then i will have a warning light when its slippery!

 

[Campo]

It took me a while to figure all this out, wanting to make sure I knew what I was doing. I just got done doing this mod this weekend, I tried to use a relay from a foglight kit but I couldn't get it to work ( I tested the relay on another vehicle and it worked) So I just wired in a lightup rocker switch, when the 4x4 selector is in the AUTO position, and the switch is on it will glow very dim, then brighten up as the 4x4 engages, then dim back down when disengaging, It stay's bright when in 4hi or 4lo.. It's pretty cool to be able to see when the clutch is engaging and disengaging (which is constantly).. Great mod guy's thank's for posting it

 

[taxx]

I'm gonna try this next weekend. Should make it fun wheeling in the sand next time! I can do donuts~

 

[Yomie]

Originally posted by Campo
It took me a while to figure all this out, wanting to make sure I knew what I was doing. I just got done doing this mod this weekend, I tried to use a relay from a foglight kit but I couldn't get it to work ( I tested the relay on another vehicle and it worked) So I just wired in a lightup rocker switch, when the 4x4 selector is in the AUTO position, and the switch is on it will glow very dim, then brighten up as the 4x4 engages, then dim back down when disengaging, It stay's bright when in 4hi or 4lo.. It's pretty cool to be able to see when the clutch is engaging and disengaging (which is constantly).. Great mod guy's thank's for posting it

Nice, maybe tonight, i will try the lighted switch way and see whats up....finally 2WD again. I've been wanting to do this for sooo long, but i have been waiting on feedback from you 'test dummies' all seems well, so i will try it out! Thanks Stadx, and Josh C, and everyone else

 

[JoshC]

Originally posted by Yomie
Thanks Stadx, and Josh C, and everyone else

You're welcome

You and Dave should have a great time with 33's and 2lo. Good luck.

Happy trails!!

 

[wpurple]

Noise

In a few posts, some mention of some "noise" when in 2WD with the MOD, could someone clarify this for me?

Thanks

 

[Doug]

I did this mod hoping to isolate some problems with my 4wd and i figured out my problem. I did something to my front axle and now its making all sorts of noises. Any i showed another friend of mine how to do and he went and showed atleast 4 other people how to do it and ive had 2 other people email on how to do it. The scary part is that some of the people with 2wd should not have 2wd.

 

[Jason_25]

Re: Noise

Originally posted by wpurple
In a few posts, some mention of some "noise" when in 2WD with the MOD, could someone clarify this for me?

Thanks

In 2WD Low, at speeds above 10 MPH, I get a whining noise from underneath the truck that doesn't seem too healthy. But offroad at low speeds, it's great.

 

[Vozar]

so will doing doughnuts in the mud in Auto at about 20 or 30 miles per hour screw the system up. Is it always on or does it only engage when the front wheels start to slip