Modifying the 4 wheel drive system

[canIscream]

Hi all. I have a 99 4x4 explorer sport. the only complaint i have about it is that stupid auto 4x4. i wouldn't normally care, but i live in buffalo, and i don't need that system kicking on and off every ten feet.

this may be ridiculous, but i've never owned or worked on a four wheel drive suv before. is the 4x4 mechanical or electronic? can the ECU programming be modified to disable the auto 4x4? i want it to be rear wheel and 4 wheel when i switch the knob over to 4 hi. again, if this is ridiculous and impossible, i'm sorry.

mods, i realize my truck isn't modified and doesn't fit in the specific requirements of this forum, but i figured it worked because it's about the theory of modifications. if it's wrong, i'm sorry and i'm new to the internet and i'd appreciate the thread move.

 

[97sprt4x4]

If you indeed have the Control Trac 4wd (your 4wd knob will have auto, 4hi, 4lo) then you will be looking at the Brown Wire Mod

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149388&highlight=Brown+Wire+Mod See if this fits the bill.

Justin

 

[canIscream]

If you indeed have the Control Trac 4wd (your 4wd knob will have auto, 4hi, 4lo) then you will be looking at the Brown Wire Mod

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149388&highlight=Brown+Wire+Mod See if this fits the bill.

Justin

that appears to be exactly what i was talking about. however, further reading makes me think that's a bad idea and i should just leave well enough alone.

realistically, tires could spin for a city block. i don't want to be burning up my diffs. i would much rather just drive it and not break something.

thanks so much for the link.

 

[97sprt4x4]

well That all depends on your driving. if it's snowing out you can always put it in 4wd and not worry about it. this mod is primarily for messing around or if you want a 2low. or if you just odn't want the tcase engaging whenever it wants.

 

[canIscream]

well That all depends on your driving. if it's snowing out you can always put it in 4wd and not worry about it. this mod is primarily for messing around or if you want a 2low. or if you just odn't want the tcase engaging whenever it wants.

well, it's the right idea for what i was thinking. i just didn't think about the long term effects. according to the post, you want to be careful as the system isn't designed to be spinning the tires all the time.

with the amount of snow we get up here, there will be a lot of wheel spin. effectively, i want to be able to throw it in rear wheel drive and have a good time with it in the snow, or have it in rear wheel drive to save on gas when driving in the snow. there would be a LOT of wheel spin though, and i don't think it's the best idea for differential longevity.

 

[trj360]

Lots of people have been running this mod for a long time, including myself, with no negative consequences so far. I don't get as much snow as you do so my wheels don't spin much though. Another thing to consider is do you want your 4wd to be constantly engaging and disengaging? Either way it's hard on the machinery so I'd say pick the option you feel is best.

 

[Cobraguy]

I also see used transfer cases for sale all the time cheap. You can do the mod and use one of those so your transfer case isn't used if you're worried about damage.

 

[canIscream]

Lots of people have been running this mod for a long time, including myself, with no negative consequences so far. I don't get as much snow as you do so my wheels don't spin much though. Another thing to consider is do you want your 4wd to be constantly engaging and disengaging? Either way it's hard on the machinery so I'd say pick the option you feel is best.

i hear you. i've been debating the same thing in my head for the last few days. honestly, if it was that much snow that the wheels would be spinning the whole way to work or something, i'd be in full time 4 high anyway. it can't be good for the auto four wheel system to be kicking on and off constantly.

in all honestly, i just want to be able to blow some donuts and rip it sideways through intersections in the snow.

I also see used transfer cases for sale all the time cheap. You can do the mod and use one of those so your transfer case isn't used if you're worried about damage.

meh. i'd probably just replace the broken transfer case in and when i break it.

 

[Blackmajik]

Now does that mod work for a 1996 xlt with the switch saying 2wd 4hi auto and then 4lo?

 

[canIscream]

Now does that mod work for a 1996 xlt with the switch saying 2wd 4hi auto and then 4lo?

i'm curious as to why you would do that if you have the rear wheel system already. do you need a 2 low?

 

[trj360]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149388&highlight=brown+wire+mod

 

[gijoecam]

Now does that mod work for a 1996 xlt with the switch saying 2wd 4hi auto and then 4lo?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149388&highlight=brown+wire+mod

Ditto. Seek and all your answers shall be found.

 

[97sprt4x4]

If you're just looking to get through an intersection sideways in the snow.. you don't have to do this... it's real easy.. cut the wheel in the snow.. i did it before i did the bwm.. with it afterwords on dry pavement. that's the difference.. you more then likely would not use the switch during the winter. just during the summer.

 

[canIscream]

If you're just looking to get through an intersection sideways in the snow.. you don't have to do this... it's real easy.. cut the wheel in the snow.. i did it before i did the bwm.. with it afterwords on dry pavement. that's the difference.. you more then likely would not use the switch during the winter. just during the summer.

i don't care about dry pavement performance. i just don't think i want the thing switching in and out of four wheel drive constantly on the roads up here. obviously i want to have a little fun in it too

i'm going to wait and see. i'll see what it does and how it does after the first big storm we'll get here in the next month or two then decide.

 

[kert0307]

4x4 auto is great in the snow. I have also done the BWM and it works great for when you want 2 wheel drive 2wd low is also great for off road when you need to turn sharp.