4 Wheel - Hi Question

[KidAce]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a 2001 F-150 (4X4 Off-Road Edition), this past October. It's my first Ford, ever, and I love it, thus far.

Before my F-150, I used to own a 4X4 half ton Dodge Ram (for 4 years). In the Ram, when I engaged it into 4-Hi, I could always feel the front tires kick in and actually dig at the same time as the rear tires, but I don't feel that with my F-150.... at least not until I engage the 4-Lo. I do notice though, that both rear axles lock and rotate at the same time.

Is this typical on the F-150 or could there be something wrong with my truck? It's got 24000 miles on it so I don't think I need to replace the transfercase fluids yet.

I guess I just need to know if this is typical.

Thanks,
Ace.

[97chevyman]

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, in all of my 4x4's you can only feel it while turning if engaged. The way i usually test 4x4 is pull your pickup so your rear tires are in some grass and front is on pavement and try burning out.

[Paul Masley]

Man, that is very rought on the driver train.

KidAce did not say if his as auto (electric) or manual (shift lever) engage. Also, he did not say if the rear was trac-loc or not. These items will play a great part on steering feel.

Be careful when doing the following.

The easiest test for 4WD is to engage the system (vehicle running). Set the parkbrake and jack up one front wheel (your choice). If you can turn the wheel by hand, the 4WD is not locking. This is a lot easier on the drive train than a burnout from grass.

[KidAce]

Thanks for the response, guys.

Paul, like I said, this is my first Ford Truck, ever and all I see on my instrument panel (4-wheel related) is a rotary knob with 3 settings: 2W, 4-Hi and 4-Lo. The salesman said that it's shift on the fly, but my turn radius is NOT affected at all, in any of the settings.

The dealership that bought it from did pass it through their Certification inspection, so I'm not worried about its mechanical function, I'm just not used to not feeling the front tires diggin in like in the Ram.

Thanks again,
Ace.

[Paul Masley]

If you have access to a lift, being very careful, you can check it another way. Lift the truck about two feet off the ground, start it. Holding foot on brake, shift the knob to four low. Put the trans in low gear and let off the brake. You can then individually watch both axles and the tires spin. With the truck in low, the rpm will be down, but the torque will be outrageous so be careful. See if you can slow down the spinning wheel and cause the opposite to turn. DO NOT USE YOUR HAND! Use a block of wood. You may get friction turning through the transfer case. If you can stop the wheels with no transfer, you may have a solonoid bad in the transfer case. Your truck should have a locking transfer case since it has the Off Road package, but the front end engages by an electrical solonoid also to engage the gear. Just be careful testing it.