we shall see, we don't see a lot of TOD trucks here

 

I wonder why Ford singled out the TOD trucks. The vacuum systems are identical, maybe this is gonna get another TSB for the regular Tcase. Ya, wait and see.

 

yep, who knows. I don't miss that fiasco

 

Wow, the TSB document looks like something that would be posted exactly once, on April 1st.

The little diagram of tossing parts into a trashcan looks like the author asked their young child to come up something to indicate parts are garbage.

I dislike that the old fix of replacing the damaged parts is now meant to increase driveline wear, in turn wearing out more expensive parts passed on to the customer. Extended warranties are probably not going to replace a CV joint that shouldn't have worn out at 40,000 miles. Or maybe it will. Who knows.

Like mentioned above though, the fuel economy things is the worst probably.

Next time we get questions asking about how to install the IWE eliminator kit, we can stop suggesting they disconnect the solenoid and point them to Ford for the TSB to lock up their hubs.

I've seen some pretty silly things from the automakers but for now, this one seems to be high on the 'silly' list.

How to fix your $65,000 vehicle with IWE issues -plug the vacuum line to prevent the system from working as per original design.
It almost sounds like they wish to remove any future liability for repairs as if they are discontinuing this engagement system.

 

It likely will affect fuel mileage, how much, I can't say. Before I started recommending to unplug the solenoid, I ran a test on my own with it unplugged. Truthfully, I wasn't watching the mileage, but common sense tells me it's going to decay somewhat.
Extra wear on front diff and CVs? Another no brainer. I'd think Ford would make good on it, since the TSB is written by them, future vehicles, who knows.

 

I'm not sure it i believe the extra wear on the front end. How many 01-11 4wd rangers running around have had their front ends rebuilt. Is it possible sure but not likely IMO

 

Could be right DJ. Looking back into antiquity, my fulltime 4WD Dodges never had any problems as far as the 4X4 systems. Another wait and see, but, these systems on our trucks were designed to not be engaged for life.

 

this is also true

 

I can agree that it is not super likely any average user will experience a failed part as a result.
There isn't any power being delivered to it, it won't see any additional torque during normal driving and/or steering.
Probably not justification.

I left my solenoid unplugged for a while and thought I had an MPG hit, however I was still learning the vehicle and how poor the economy was. I commute, pretty much it. I was in the 13's, not close enough to 14 to say on a good day I could get to 14.
I meant to connect it for a road trip. I blamed that on the 18mpg 300 mile road trip. I've later learned that cruise control on 75 is going to net 18ish.
then in the spring on a road trip I did achieve 20/21 for a long highway trip through the mountains. 16 mpg uphill then averaging 20 by time I got home.
Likewise, a recent round trip, including errands while on vacation, netted me 20.0 when I pulled in the garage. 19.9 in the morning when I started it up. LOL These were all with solenoid engaged, so thinking I gained back a bit from disconnecting the driveline.

For a commuter vehicle in town, I doubt this TSB will cause us concern at the pump. During a long road trip, I'd say it will be a minor hit. Know knowing the 3.5 is a 14mpg commuter in-town vehicle I change my opinion from my results a year ago when I was learning the vehicle.

 

I believe its TOD only because of the difference of when both the TOD and IWE's engage. I am assuming the TOD is activating slightly before the IWE's are fully engaged and causing the typical IWE grind while driving, and releasing once TOD subsides; the solenoid for the vacuum relies on the signal of 4wd to engage the IWE's. Why Ford doesn't program the the IWE's to engage with the selection of 4A is beyond me.