Jeez guys, you're arguing semantics. Unimportant semantics at that. Stop flogging the equine.

 

Good thread. But again, the current rendition of Fords F150 4A (AWD) system is really well done, compared to yesteryear. I am using it a lot in my new truck. You can clearly feel the additional bite the truck has at all 4 corners. And it's applied fairly refined, in my opinion. This ain't dad's F150! (even though I'm a grandpa myself these days)

Don't know how much of the purchase price went into the engineering of this feature. But I have zero regret of spending those dollars.

 

Thanks for the great information!

I think I sort of got it, one last question does the AWD option make the 4 wheel drive H and L any less capable or more prone to failure, then having an XLT without the AWD setting?

Thanks again.

 

In my advanced age I typically like to stay away from these kinds of discussions... too many "all" and "every" and "none" statements end up being unsubstantiated.

Borg Warner puts out the transfer case used in these models:
https://www.borgwarner.com/news-medi...the-ford-f-150

Is it a real AWD, or some sort of hybrid, what systems does it compare with, is it better than others? I don't know. I suppose I'll leave that up to the individual to make up their mind.

This is an interesting watch, for the curious:

Lots of other videos out there too... some of them get kinda sales-pitchy, or at least have questionable bias, but can be interesting nonetheless:

This one's likely familiar to everyone, but I find entertaining to watch:

That said... my use case (and I'm not suggesting that others have the same use case) is winter driving in mixed conditions (full snow, ice and snow, snow/ice and clear, etc) in northern New England. Not having to put the truck into 4wd and take it back out every few seconds is huge. Unless I'm cruising down the highway under light load (already mentioned), or turning sharply, the truck appears to be sending power to all four wheels all the time. It does not appear to be in RWD mode, only shifting in power as needed. That said, I won't own another car that doesn't have some sort of AWD. To me, it's worth it. Wife has an AWD, son has an AWD.

The question I'd like answered, how is the 2-speed transfer case in the Lariat and up trims of the current F150 "severely inferior" to the standard transfer case used in other trim levels? To me, it's just adding another operating mode, but maybe I'm missing something.

 

I agree the 4a is very good. This is the first truck I have owned with it. The in and out of 4x4 in my previous xlt was so annoying I either just drove in 2wd or in 4x4 when I should not have.
The only time the 4a doesnt operate perfectly smooth is from a stop and the rear wheel slips causing the front to engage. It for only a second and not a big deal. It just works very well. And no your rear tires dont slip every time for the system to engage at hwy speeds. If this was the case I would feel it every time I go home. It keeps the back end planted. No more fish tails.

 

Acura is not the only to have 'torque-vectoring'. Ford also uses it and surely some others.

 

OK This is straight from a sales guy at the Ford dealer who's been selling for 30 years.

The Lariat and above F 150s use the same transfer case as he lower trim levels. To get the AWD mode there is a computer chip which reads the brake ABS to detect slip and send power to that wheel. He kind of hinted it was not quite as good as a dedicated AWD system but still worked very well. The 4H and low would work the same as all F 150s.

 

Another salesman that is terribly uniformed.

 

How is it different?

 

Absolutely not true. Wish it was, but nope.
There is no differential (clutch) between the front and rear drivetrain in the lower trim.
Without it, it's impossible to provide a proper AWD\4A experience.

I do wish it was an option for XLT's. I'd never buy another XLT without it.