Mod for Control Track to make AWD Optional?

[mridings]

I bought a 97 4.0 SOHC with ControlTrac AWD... I gather power is going to the front at all times. Anyone know of a mod, (not new manual hubs) that will allow me to use 2WD during the 300 days of the year I dont need AWD or 4WD?
I downsized from an Expedition and want to maximize economy.
Thanks in advance, great forum!

 

[mridings]

found this thread...

sorry, should have searched harder first!
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[mridings]

Awesome

Went to Rat Shack, found the brown wire near the parking brake... Spins the wheels, and I love the variable glow when AWD is engaged. Thanks a lot for all the tips in this forum.

 

[Howard]

Glad we could be of help. The search function is very powerful if you use it!!!!.

 

[GreatXpectation]

so wait a min... is there a way to disable awd? mine the 99 5.0 awd and i want to disable awd for the other months, (its nice to spin some tire once in a while)

 

[mridings]

here is the thread.

not hard at all... One big brown wire coming from under the seat Have to take drivers seat off to identify it. I was able to trace it back all the way to near the parking brake so the length of wire I was running was only 2 x 3 feet or so to the switch...
Like you I only want power to the front when I want it... Not all the time. Radio shcak switch and butt connectors/blade connectors was about 10.00..
Thread:

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[Yomie]

Originally posted by GreatXpectation
so wait a min... is there a way to disable awd? mine the 99 5.0 awd and i want to disable awd for the other months, (its nice to spin some tire once in a while)

GreatX, it only works with us 4.0L 4x4 guy's not the 5.0L AWD's

 

[explr1]

Re: Awesome

Originally posted by mridings
found the brown wire near the parking brake...

I thought the wire to splice a switch into was yellow and behind the radio going to the GEM? I'm about to do this to my '97 with Controltrac, which wire is it? Thanks

 

[mridings]

read the thread again...

There are two ways to do it, the preferred methjod it seems is to take the brown wire from under the seat. It leaves your dash lights operating properly, and you can turn on/off the feature without restarting the truck. It worked like a champ on my 97 w/ControlTrac (4.0SOHC)

BTW, I used the radio shack 30A automotive lighted rocker switch, P/N 275-712

http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_010_007_002_000&product_id=275-712

 

[Nate1]

No, that will freak your computer (GEM) out. The best solution is to use a relay and splice the brown wire running into the clip below the drivers seat through the NC (normally closed, i think its 87a) blade of a relay. This effectively allows you to decide when your TOD (torque on demand) clutch recieves signal from your GEM to lock up. Since there is no feedback loop to check if the TOD clutch is activating, your computer is none the wiser, and stays happy. It is safer to use a relay, but you can use a high amperage switch if you can't get your hands on a relay. Also, use pretty thick wire... I used 12 guage, but you can probably get away with 14 ga.
One tip on installing the bad boy: take the time to remove the driver's seat.... it makes things alot easier to do.

Good luck, PM if you have questions, and read the control trac thread, it has alot of info in it (on this mod)
-----Nate

 

[GreatXpectation]

so im screwed huh

that sucks i hate the awd crap i wanna spin some tires damnit

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by GreatXpectation
so im screwed huh

that sucks i hate the awd crap i wanna spin some tires damnit

Slick road + 5.0 V-8 = Good times

Just stick a blower on there and spin them to your hear's content.