Trying to figure out 95+ 4WD

[LazyDay]

I have a '95 Explorer 4WD w/ control trac and I'm just trying to increase my understanding of it better. I'm quite familiar with the older manual lock in hubs with a dedicated hi/lo transfer case. However, from what I understand the '95+ 4WD is always spinning the front half shafts and is engaged/disengaged through a central disconnect operated somehow by vacume.

Can anyone shed more light on this? I'm quite knowledgable about this stuff but this is a new setup for me and I figure the more I know about my truck the better. Also, how does this type of 4WD compare to the older pre-95 4WD in offroad capability? And, mechanically speaking, what is the weakest part of this type of 4WD, what will break first?

 

[mikefox]

Here is a thread I started about how to get 4 hi in our 95-96 rigs. Mind you, I have not tested it completely yet, but initial findings are looking good so far.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=20740

In there is also a link to a thread from Ray L. selling his transfer case from his 97 where some of us discussed this subject. If you need more info or more explination let us know.