AWD Question
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From: SW Michigan
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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.
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.
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In defense of car salesmen, I've been buying for 20 years from a group of guys that KNOW their product. They were all trained by the same fella. You wouldn't make it if you didn't embrace his methods and passion.
Sadly he passed away. There are only a couple of his protégés left. Once they're done, it'll be a normal dealership again, I suppose.
Sadly he passed away. There are only a couple of his protégés left. Once they're done, it'll be a normal dealership again, I suppose.
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From: Toronto ON
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.
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.
(Hopefully Ford changes the game)
Thread Starter
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OK I'm convinced the sales guy was wrong! Now here's the important question, is the different transfer case in the Lariat and above trims any less capable then the lower trims transfer case in 4H and 4L. Or any less durable?
Thanks
Thanks
Blunt
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Alberta, Canada
A standard part-time where you pick what the truck is doing works perfectly fine as long as you're not driving around on dry pavement trying to park in a parking lot. Even if you forget, you'll notice the binding, and can just switch it to 2WD. The drivetrain parts are far from brittle. Remember that these are pickup trucks meant to tow heavy trailers which puts a LOT of strain on the drivetrain as well. So unless you're binding in a corner and you floor it, you won't break anything.
Also don't be fooled into thinking 4A is perfect and will never cause damage. It still can. If you are driving in patchy conditions and taking a corner, like pulling out of a parking lot onto a patchy road, the front CAN engage as you hit a dry patch and can still bind and break something. Perfect example of this exact situation where he broke his axle in 4A here : https://www.f150forum.com/f118/1st-d...ot-tow-372238/ Short version of that post is that he pulled out of a parking lot onto a road in 4A and he floored it, then his axle broke.
There are a few more if you search that I remember reading. For me, I'd rather be in control of the transfer case manually. I'd also rather drive stick shift but that's another story...
Last edited by BlackBoost; Feb 27, 2018 at 03:42 PM.
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There maybe a bit of a disconnect here-- 4 wheel auto (4A) is not the same as all wheel drive-- AWD. Ford does not make an all wheel drive truck. The F-150 is a rear wheel drive with a part time transfer case. In auto the truck is still in rear wheel drive but if it senses slippage it will shift into 4 WD. It has the ability to control the power to the front via a clutch system which will allow up to a 50 50 split (the system can never put more power to the front as compared to the rear). In AWD systems the vehicle is always driven by 4 wheels and the power can be adjusted to front or back depending on the needs the split front or rear can be greater than 50% and is performed with a center differential type component. It is normally a system used in cars and SUV's not trucks since it is not as strong as out part time system.
It is possible it is less durable just because its more complex than a simple locking transfer case. I dont know if they are just using the clutch plates inside the transfer case to "lock" it into 4H and 4L or if they still have a metal to metal lock like a normal 4x4 t-case. Either way, I have never heard of a failure around here. I am sure its happened but its few and far between. I believe the new Raptor is probably using a similar t-case or possibly even the same one, I havent found a straight answer to that. That should dive you some confidence.
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Please bare with me. I have driven trucks all my life but this will be my first 4X4. I am familiar with AWD as we own a CRV with it.
Can you drive a F 150 on a snow covered highway in 4H. My main purpose in looking at a base Lariat was the AWD. Often we will go for weeks with drifted highways that my present 2 wheel drive truck really can"t handle. If the 4H can be used when needed I can forgo the Lariat for a XLT with the 302a package.
Thanks for the help.
Can you drive a F 150 on a snow covered highway in 4H. My main purpose in looking at a base Lariat was the AWD. Often we will go for weeks with drifted highways that my present 2 wheel drive truck really can"t handle. If the 4H can be used when needed I can forgo the Lariat for a XLT with the 302a package.
Thanks for the help.