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

[GJarrett]

Done!

.... with the help of JasonB who steered me to the wire bundle under the driver's side carpet (it made sense to me to tap in there since my switch is on my door panel). D@m# there's a lot of wires in that bundle! but only one is brown and bigger than the rest.

Now I can install my Powertrax NoSlip front locker that I bought from Wade (go off road) this Sunday.

I am attaching a photo of my switch. Since engaging this switch on my vehicle will engage a front locker, I elected to install a red-shielded red safety aircraft switch to prevent inadvertant engagement of the 4auto which may break my axle on hard surface.

Now one question: I used 18 gauge wire which is equal to all of the other wires in that bundle but the brown wire looks to be bigger. I am concerned that I need to go to 14 gauge. What gauge wire are the rest of you using, and has anyone had trouble with using 18 ga.?

 

[jasonb]

i used 12 gauge b/c i had some laying around. if you have the time to put the 14 guage in.. i'd say go for it.

i like that look! looks like you have a missle launcher or something ready to fire!

 

[GJarrett]

Switch On....

FIRE!
.
.
lol

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by rydinhigh
Dogfriend-where would I find this vaccum disconnect your talking about?

.

95 and 96 models are supposed to have a vacuum actuated disconnect on the front axle. The purpose is to disengage the front driveshaft when in 2wd mode. The disconnect is supposed to engage in 4wd mode.

Front Axle Disconnect

Front Axle Disconnect 2

MikeFox originally posted the links in this thread:
Is my 4wd working?

 

[rydinhigh]

Thanks dogfriend but those pictures threw me for a loop. I dont even know where to begin looking for that vaccum thing. Thanks though

 

[Campo]

Gerald,

I've had 14ga. wire (extra laying around) installed with mine for quit sometime now with no problems, and I left it on all winter..

I mounted my switch on the driverside of the center console with a lighted switch.

with it there I have accedentally triped it a few times with my leg... never thought about putting where you have it...

 

[X~FACTOR]

With that position of the switch, couldn't you easily turn it off accidentally?

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by rydinhigh
Thanks dogfriend but those pictures threw me for a loop. I dont even know where to begin looking for that vaccum thing. Thanks though

Look on the front axle for a thing that looks like the vacuum shift motor (picture in the first link). It will be bolted to the front axle on the passenger side.

 

[GJarrett]

I am installing a front locker, so I would rather have the switch easy to turn off accidentally instead of easily be turned on accidentally. That's why I installed the aircraft safety shield on the switch and put it where I did. Accidentally engaging 4auto on hard pavement with a front locker and 35" tires might result in some very expensive sounds coming from the front, that I would rather avoid.

 

[TravisC]

Gerald, I like where you put the switch. Easy to get to and kinda looks cool too. So you finally got your locker?

 

[GJarrett]

I bought go off road's a couple months ago and am putting it in this Sunday.

 

[mikefox]

for rydinhigh...

First, thanks dogfriend for bringing up my links. That was awhile ago.

Rydinhigh, here are 2 images of what you should find when looking for the vacuum disconnect:

Hope this helps.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Originally posted by rydinhigh
Dogfriend-where would I find this vaccum disconnect your talking about?

tplynch- why are you saying that someone did major mods to my dash? I think that the previous owner scratched the hell outta the radio bezel and the dealership replaced it with a 97 and up one not knowing any better.


I also threw it up on some jackstands again and gave it a bunch of gas and the front wheels never moved so I think I should be good.

That dash doesn't look right for the '95, that's why I said it......

If you have Auto, and you put your Ex on a lift and put it in drive, your front AND rear wheels (or at least one of each) should spin, without even giving it gas.

Mike, for reference purposes, those pics are taken on the passenger side looking toward the front of the Ex, right?

 

[rydinhigh]

Mikefox thanks for the pic. Im at work right now so ill have to go look in a couple of hours.

 

[mikefox]

Mike, for reference purposes, those pics are taken on the passenger side looking toward the front of the Ex, right?

Yes, they are.

 

[Robert]

rydinhigh - someone probably replaced your switch with one from a '97 and up. Where your switch says "auto" is actually the 2WD position on '95 & '96s. Where yours says "4x4 High" is actually the 4x4 Auto position on '95 & '96s. Your Explorer behaved exactly like a '95 would. In 2WD mode (labeled "auto") on your switch, only your rear tires will spin. In Auto mode (labeled "4x4 High") on your switch, both axles will spin. When I've had my '97 on jack stands and idled forward in my "auto" mode, my rear tires don't spin more than 1/6 of a revolution before the fronts kick in and start turning. I am sure you found the vacuum disconnec assembly on your front driveshaft as well which will confirm that you just thave the wrong switch.

BTW, the dash that was put in was a custom dash (or skin). It definately didn't come from an Explorer from a '99 on down since they all got flat black trim. I can't remember for sure what the '00 and up Sport's look like though. I think Ford went with a gray color, but I don't think it was nearly as glossy or high quality looking as what I can see in your picture.

 

[moreira72]

4WD Switch

What's up dude, does your 4wd wiring work on a 02 X with control trac? Please respond either way Thanx

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by rsjohnsn
Ok, I just completed this on my '03 this weekend and yes it works. There are a couple of things different on the '03 compared to earlier models. The wire that you need is located on the passenger side under the door sill. There are two bundles of wires, one is big and has alot of wires and the other is small. The small one is the one that you need. The wire you are looking for is solid brown and is about 20-24 guage. Scott

Since he was able to make it work on an 03 model, it should work for an 02 also.

 

[rydinhigh]

Robert- The silver part your are talking about around the radio is part of an aftermarket brushed aluminum dash kit that I bought.

 

[firecat sno pro]

2WD Option

after all this talk on brown wires and relay and yellow wires I'm still kinda confused. On my 99 sport I have a red wire coming directly off the back of the "auto" setting on the switch, my question is, could I just cut the red wire and put a swich in there, or would that not work, it just seems like an easier way.

Thanks