06HDF150

I've been reading up on AWD's and vacuum locking hubs.

It seems there is an IWE solenoid that controls that vacuum. Upon rear tire slippage the solenoid gets power and activates the front hubs.

It seems some people have put a switch in-line with the IWE solenoid's power wire. thus making the power to the solenoid manual so to speak.

So basically when the switch is open no power can get to the solenoid and therefore no vacuum and no AWD. With the switch closed the system operates normally.

Essentially this creates a 2WD drive option for an AWD/4H vehicle.

Who has done this?

06HDF150

here are a couple threads i found

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/20...sable-awd.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1090339-brown-wire-mod-help-2001-navigator.html

f150-05

Question, why would you want to do this?

06HDF150

lol, i assumed i would get this question rather quickly.

for no other reason than to use the truck in 2wd drive only.

not really into donuts or doing burnouts much anymore, plus i have a 2wd truck already. was just discussing with a buddy and thought it would be good to have it as an option.

most 4x4's offer that option.

was just curious, as it seems to be an extremely simple mod...

f150-05

But isn't the 4wd auto? Like it kicks in when it needs it, so it's not all time 4wd. I just don't really see the point in needing it to not go into 4wd, but to each is his own I guess.

06HDF150

the AWD engages and sends different power levels to the wheels. it is automatic when slippage in the back wheels occurs...

it does have a 4H option which is truly 4x4.

the AWD is more traction control than a true 4x4.

06HDF150

bump

anymore comments, concerns, experience...?

06HDF150

I started looking around and reading more and the AWD trucks have no IWE solenoid or vacuum hoses running to the front hubs.

so it works on Expeditions but Not Harley trucks...

06HDF150

i thought this subject was dead, until i googled into the depths of the intrawebz...

found these two pages;

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/3m69f...case-swap.html

http://www.justanswer.com/ford/6rxwn...-controls.html


this video just shows the location of the the transfer case plug and wire that powers the clutch for the front differential. the subject of this video is not the subject of this thread, but does shows how to remove the wire from the plug.


of course this would keep the truck in 2WD all the time, so my thoughts are to put an inline switch at that point of of the brown clutch coil wire. This essentially would allow me to force this truck into 2WD.

Does anyone know how much voltage/amps this wire carries?

06HDF150

i was told the wire is low voltage, low amperage.

i plan to run the same gauge wire to the switch if this works.

may have time to climb under the truck today and mess with it.