jagnag

Does anyone know of an after market kit for bypassing the vacuum FWD control? Or a procedure for doing so?

My FWD is not working, and yes, I checked to make sure the vacuum hoses are still in place on the backing plates. I've had issues with FWD on this truck ever since I've had it!

My truck is a late 2004, ext. cab, automatic xmission.

Dirttracker18

I am not aware of any kit.

I assume you mean 4wd not fwd (front wheel drive).

You need someone that knows what they are doing to diagnose your trucks 4wd issues. The system is not that complex but like everything part wear and fail.

A simple vacuum gauge/pump will quickly tell you where the problem is. The system needs to be checked from top to bottom.

You can have a leak anywhere along the system.(hoses, vacuum tank, etc)
The solenoid could fail.
Either or both of the IWEs could fail, although they normally fail in the engaged position they can fail otherwise.

Anyone one or more of these can cause issues. Why not just fix it correctly?

techrep

iTrader: (1)

You are willing to buy an aftermarket kit to bypass something that is broke... why not just fix your problem...like Dirt stated...it's not a hard system to troubleshoot and fix. You can barrow a vacuum pump from your local parts store and quickly troubleshoot your problem... could be just the IWE solenoid ... very easy fix. Being that it's an 04...you probably have the old IWE solenoid without the rain hood and it most likely got water in the system...

jagnag

I already replaced that the 1st time the 4WD failed. as for fixing it correctly, that's what I'm trying to do: fix it once and for all. Sick of this terrible system and getting stranded in mud and/or snow with no 4WD!

techrep

iTrader: (1)

So...you installed the up-dated IWE solenoid and it fixed your problem once ?? looking for some kit to by-pass the system is not fixing it once and for all...lol Go get a vacuum pump and troubleshoot the system ...

fatedstranger

Are you looking to just have the front hubs engaged all the time? You don't need to buy an aftermarket kit for that, you just have to remove the vacuum from the IWE actuators. The IWE actuators are in the locked position at rest, they only unlock when the engine is running and vacuum is applied.

The easiest way to do it is unplug the vacuum line from the IWE solenoid and plug both the lines with something, a pop rivet head works perfectly. You only really need to plug the supply line, but plugging the line to the actuators is a good idea so that it keeps moisture and debris out of the lines.

I keep a couple pop rivets in my truck all the time in case the IWE solenoid goes bad. It just takes a min to pop the hood, pull the vacuum line and plug the ends. Bingo bango four wheel drive.

Having the hubs locked all the time will impact fuel mileage because the axle and drive shafts will create additional drag, but the 4x4 will be disengaged at the transfer case so it won't do any harm. I did this with my truck for an entire winter because I didn't have the time or money to replace the actuators (which had failed due to a bad IWE solenoid).

If you have already replaced the IWE solenoid the actuators may be bad. The solenoid usually fails because it gets water in it. The water can travel down the vacuum lines to the actuators and they will eventually seize. If enough water gets in there they can also crack if it freezes causing a vacuum leak. I had to replace both actuators due to a failed solenoid. My 4x4 works perfectly now.

Dirttracker18

This will work but only if the IWEs have failed in the locked or engaged position. If they have failed in the disengaged position, you will not have 4wd. If this is the case you need to replace the IWEs anyway so just put it back to operating.

FWIW there is no once and for all fix. I have lost high end locking hubs in the past that I thought were good forever.
With that in mind, replacing and getting the IWE fixed (if that is the problem) or locking them out somehow does not mean you will never have an issue again.

However, fixing it correctly will get you a long life without issues if you use quality parts and not cheap ones.

fatedstranger

@Dirttracker is right, disconnecting the vacuum lines will not work if the actuators have failed in the disengaged position. The actuators need to be replaced if that's the case.

Truth be told, my suggestion will very likely only help if the actuators are working, or at least partially working. If the actuators have failed in the engaged position and your 4x4 doesn't work, your problem isn't related to the IWE's anyway.

You can check by jacking up the front of the truck so that the wheels are off the ground. If the wheels spin freely and independently of the axle shaft with the engine off, they have failed in the disengaged position. If the wheel and axle shaft spin together with the engine off, the actuators have either failed in the engaged position or are at least partially working.

As others have suggested, the IWE system is really quite simple and is actually a good design. The older IWE solenoids caused a lot of failures but once that is addressed, along with any associated damages, the system should be quite dependable. If a qualified mechanic looks at your truck I'm sure they can get things working properly.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

The OP stated he has had problems with it ever sense he has owned it... Im pretty sure the IWE’s are toast !!

Mod (Ret.)

I was constantly repairing a vacuum source, or a valve, or tubing, or whatever on my Ford Ranger. When it worked, it worked great; when it failed, it was sometimes a pain to locate the source of the issue.

I finally thanked Ford for making our lives supposedly easier by being able to switch to 4w low/high from a switch on the dash, tossed that idea, and installed manual locking hubs.
Does anyone make these for the F150? You would have to get out of your truck and turn a center **** to lock them, but it would eliminate all the vacuum crap that can go wrong for the hubs.

Still have to contend with the transfer case.

Just a thought.