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

[Spas]

Just wanna throw in my two cents here...

I've had my 2wd switch in for a few months now and have only noticed a 1-2mpg increase when it's left in 2wd mode, however this could be because of the colder weather-haven't had the opportunity to test it in summer yet.

One aspect you will notice if you've turned off the 4wd auto is a greatly increased amount of body roll in hard cornering-you just try that winding road you like so much and see what happens! Without all four gripping at the tarmac your truck will dip and roll like a leaf in the breeze. I keep mine in auto4wd for local driving and pop it into 2wd high for long trips. It's a great and cheap mod to do, and you just can't beat that grin-inducing cloud of tire smoke from a nice big burnout

Oh, and don't go over 10mph with it in 2wd Low, as Namitey likes to constantly remind me

 

[X24]

I agree with spas. I love having 2wd. You get to do all those 2wd things.

 

[Doug]

Oh, and don't go over 10mph with it in 2wd Low, as Namitey likes to constantly remind me

I dont quite remember saying anything about 10 mph.... but i do how remember commenting on 70 MPH

 

[Nate1]

Okay, well I did some pre-mod searching... and I have found two possible places to splice in the new wiring. In the floor panel where the bundle of wires run... I'm sure its one of the ones before it branches off under the driver's seat (probably the easiest spot), or there is a slit in the carpet under the seat where you can just see the wrap going thru the body to the u/c and transfer case. I think I'll end up putting it in the floor panel... because of the extra space... Just wondering tho... it is the solid dark brown wire, yes? There are alot of wires that look brown, but I can distinguish a single dark brown wire from the others that seems like it would be the one... but it seems awful thin. For being a power to a magnetic clutch, I would expect a little thicker guaged wire.

 

[dogfriend]

If you look underneath the truck, you can see it going into the transfer case on the back side (its the only one that does). That will give you an idea of how thick the wire should be. It should be a brown wire.

 

[taxx]

I don't have a pic, but you can get to it where you described. If you pull up the plastic just inside the door over the carpet you can see where some wires split off and go under the seat. It is in there. It really doesn't need to be a big wire cause I imagine it goes to a relay and doesn't directly controll the clutch. It is solid brown.

 

[Nate1]

Well did it tonight... wow, it's definalty one of the best mods I've done.

Pulling wires was a pain... I used a 30 amp relay mounted under the kleenex space... my switch is in some spare space down on the center console... right down below where your leg is in the vacant triangle behind the kleenex space. Stealth install so the rents can't/don't find it. I must say... it worked impressively well, my car spins those rear tires like there is no tomorrow!!!

The mod was easier than I thought... I did take the drivers seat out... and I'm glad I did... but overall, once you get the seat off and can have a good look, it all becomes easy.

What a great mod... thanks to whoever found it
-----Nate

 

[Nate1]

Thought I might add this... but I think for saftey's sake, rather than getting the standard Radio Shack 30amp relay... which is N.O. 'normally open', I would use a N.C. 'normally closed' relay. If you already have the wiring, it would only be a swap of the relay, and your switch would work in reverse. That way, if your 12v to your relay should fail for some reason... your relay would default to leaving control trac on... that way you don't think you have it on, take a wet turn to fast, or jump into mud or sand in 2wd. I'm trying to find some 30 amp N.C. relays... if I do I'll be sure to let people know.

Great mod
-----Nate

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by nweibley
Thought I might add this... but I think for saftey's sake, rather than getting the standard Radio Shack 30amp relay... which is N.O. 'normally open', I would use a N.C. 'normally closed' relay. If you already have the wiring, it would only be a swap of the relay, and your switch would work in reverse. That way, if your 12v to your relay should fail for some reason... your relay would default to leaving control trac on... that way you don't think you have it on, take a wet turn to fast, or jump into mud or sand in 2wd. I'm trying to find some 30 amp N.C. relays... if I do I'll be sure to let people know.

Great mod
-----Nate

Any electric supply house will have them. USually it is the same as the Rad Shaq relay with one more terminal. SO you have the choice of NO or NC.

 

[JoshC]

Man, it's amazing how far this thread has come since i started it 10 pages ago! I think it's cool. We started out with something that worked and built on it from there, now we have a better end product. That rules!

Happy trails!!

 

[stadx2]

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.

Hey sorry about the absence. December just gets too busy!

97 EB V8, do you have high speed internet access?
If you do, I can just e-mail you my write-up I did on the swap from AWD to Control Trac. Its about a 10MB file though.
I sent this write-up to Rick months ago to put on the board. I guess he didn't think it was good enough to post.

 

[Nate1]

Any electric supply house will have them. USually it is the same as the Rad Shaq relay with one more terminal. SO you have the choice of NO or NC.

Yup. Snagged one from a car alarm shop today... bosch makes it. Swapped wire from computer from pin 87 to pin 87a. Works like a dream. GOD I love this mod. And sheesh, this SOHC motor on these 4.10s burns my new Dueler AT tires like theres no tomorrow... its fun, but wow, I gotta stop driving like the teen I am or my tires arent gonna last long.

-----Nate

 

[William Schumacher]

Re: Did The Mod

Originally posted by Robert
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 :, is there a certain type of switch I should be looking for ?,or can you give me the part # of that switch and where you got it from !!
any problem at all not using the relay ?
and what gauge wire did you use was it the same 14 awg as the brown or did you go larger.

and....can a powertrax no-slip be used in the front of my truck if this mod is done ? {running in 2wd on street} without any problems !!
if so.......
I want IN on this mod !!

 

[JoshC]

Yes a locker can be used up front with this mod, good luck!

Happy trails!!

 

[NorminN.B.]

So if I cut and put a switch on the brown wire, to make the transfer case to 2 wheel drive, how many mpg's can I expect to increase. v6 ohv, auto, 410 gears, 2000 sport. Will try it when warrenty runs out. Thanks, NorminN.B.

 

[Nate1]

Normin, people seem to say it doesn't affect MPG much, didn't for me either.... I dont know... if that is the only reason you are doing it, it may be a waste of your time.

 

[NorminN.B.]

Thanks Nweibley, at 15 mpg and 82 cent per litre, I need all the help I can get. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks, NorminN.B. :redexp:

 

[X24]

Ride a bike.

 

[Robert]

Re: Re: Did The Mod

Originally posted by William Schumacher
Robert :, is there a certain type of switch I should be looking for ?,or can you give me the part # of that switch and where you got it from !!
any problem at all not using the relay ?
and what gauge wire did you use was it the same 14 awg as the brown or did you go larger.

and....can a powertrax no-slip be used in the front of my truck if this mod is done ? {running in 2wd on street} without any problems !!
if so.......
I want IN on this mod !!

I used a 15A switch from Autozone as well as 14 gauge wire to match the brown wire. Someone already measured the current draw and it was only about 300 mA so I wasn't concerned with not using a relay. Six weeks later and I still enjoy it. It definately requires different driving methods when in the rain though. Last week I made a left hand turn while it was raining. I was in 2WD and basically coasted around the turn. Just before I got to the point of straightening it out, I gave it just a little gas and the back end just floated out on me. I let off the gas and it straighened back up again, but it definately got my attention. It doesn't help though that I have 50K miles on my tires. My switch still works correctly. I can't say that I gained any mileage increases though. I haven't entered my last 6 or 7 tanks though. I might have picked up an extra 20 miles per tank.

 

[liquidx9]

darren, i have high speed internet, could you email me the write up to philcool@mac.com? thanks man, love your ex, its a model for my ex!