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Push button 4x4

Josh46304

New Member
Joined
July 17, 2001
Messages
4
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0
City, State
Chesterton, Indiana
Year, Model & Trim Level
94XLT
is my electronic 4x4 weaker than manual lockers. Can i still do some pretty good offroading with my push button.
 






The auto lockouts on the hubs are the weak spot. To increase offroad strenght replace these with a lockout by a company such as warn. Also these are far cheaper than replacing the autos and last forever.
As for the push button it is just less reliable, I didnt say unreliable but less reliable. Obliviously if you could shift the case with a lever the odds of parts not working are far less than if you experience what I just did.
I considered buying a transfer case and drilling a stick through the floor from an Explorer XL or a Ranger but I was in a hurry so I had to replace the 4x4 button($130 new) and also the electronic shift actuator($100 used) (like $3-400 new) because one day it just decided not to shift into 4x4, I had bad luck but it was necessary to replace both. I had some trouble with the actuator in the past. The actuator is sometimes able to be cleaned up (Look up Dr. Bob's fiixit page) but mine was FUBAR. The only thing you can do for the electronic shift and the auto hubs is use them at least once every couple weeks even if it is just doing some figure 8's in a gravel parking lot to make the shift motors brushes move and also lube the 4x4 components
just my 3 cents
 






Josh,
Over in the Serious Explorations area, you'll see plenty of stockers like me who do real serious wheelin'. I've got the push botton two-speed transfer case (should be the same as yours) and I've had no problems to speak of. I still have my automatic hubs, but I know they'll give out eventually. Then I'll go to the Warn manual hubs. And Danny was right, you MUST exercise the equipment every 3-4 weeks. Find a dirt or gravel lot and go to 4x4. Make some turns so the hubs and diff get a good workout. Go to 4lo for a bit so the T-Case gets some work. (I go wheelin' almost that much so I usually don't have to do this, but if I have a dry spell, I make sure to get everything turning.)

From what I've heard this is really all you need to keep the electronic 4x4 running fine. Without exercise, several parts will seize up and break.

BTW, lockers are something else. You can't get those stock. (You can get a limited slip which is close).
 






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