JaCeD_X

Sharing an experience.

This winter so far has done a number on my IWE system (actuators) and just the entire vacuum system as a whole. Post-noticed one day when driving in deep snow it would push against the vacuum lines and pull them off and had the intermittent grinding in 4x2 and even 4x4H, albeit more so when cornering after that moment (zip-ties never helped the lines stay on either). So I originally pulled the lines off the actuators to engage them to the hub and capped the exposed ends on both the lines and actuators to prevent the elements from getting inside (later on I pulled everything completely off the truck and capped the rest off). Fixed the grinding immediately but this means I'm running with a live axle up front now. Yes, pulling the lines and capping off is essentially doing the same thing as an IWE Eliminator kit except for the spline coverage having greater reach with the sleeve kit, and this is what I am after currently since the truck got lifted 9" (no BL) on 37s. The IWE system remained running as smoothly as it did before the lift (over a year without hiccup) in 4x2 and 4x4H until this one particular snowy day. So in goes these RCV IWE Eliminators!

So how am I feeling daily driving with the live axle up front now? F'n confident TBH!

Has fuel economy drastically decreased? No and it's not even enough for it to be of noticeable concern as a daily driver. I used to daily an 05 RC RAM SRT-10 for years, so no room for me to complain about IWE Eliminator MPG loss anyway.
Do I feel more rotation/drag? A little, there is more feedback that travels up through into the pedals, steering wheel, etc than before. Is it enough to be annoying as a daily? No. In fact it can be best described as how it feels in the pedals and steering wheel when going to a bigger tire with aggressive tread block design for the very first time again.

Absolutely no qualms going this route over replacing OEM actuators, vacuum lines, solenoid, check valve as required down the road again, not to mention down time diagnosing one component or another to be at fault when they arise. I do realize this approach isn't for everyone and perhaps their IWE systems are working great and have been ever since truck ownership. Whatever, right. That's great for those owners (no need to switch over), but I personally don't like this IWE system at all. When it fails on you at the most inopportune time, you'll believe the words spoken from those who converted. Amen!

Hopefully some 09-14 F150 owners here that are using these IWE Eliminators as of late can chime in with what they've encountered along the way with them installed like: supplier tolerance issues; colder climates/road brine mix conditions; mucky water holes and debris; exposed outer/inner splines from elements settling for extended time; annual grease maintenance longevity concerns


Thanks for reading

Ethan.white

iTrader: (3)

Just installed my RCV's over Christmas. I second everything you have experienced with having a live axle. Though I live in Texas so won't be able to contribute much to the cold/brine topic.

Best decision I have made on this truck. No worries about 4x4 not working when I need it.

AK4wheeler

When my IWE system fails again, I will be installing the Eliminator kit. I DISPISE this IWE system. The ONLY thing I am concerned with the eliminator kit when looking at the install videos, it looks as though the kit leaves the splines open to the elements when compared to the sealed hub unit it replaces. I would be concerned with mud/ice/sticks/gravel etc. getting lodged in there during offroad fun...It will be nice to hear all the goods and the negatives about this kit.

AK4wheeler

mpittmann

Anyone else with more feedback on these?

I've struggled with my IWE's this winter and planned on replacing all the vacuum hoses. Already did the solenoid and check valve. When jacking it up and doing the testing it appears as everything works, but I have issues returning to 2wd and I'm getting a weird whistle when in 4 high.

I kind of forgot about it because the weather has been nice.. but an April snow storm today has brought it all back up.

Planning on going with RCV eliminators asap.

Ethan.white

iTrader: (3)

Still going strong, no issues and no complaints. lost around .8 mpgs

M0RRIS

Mine are just disconnected however I have to agree with the OP

Eric M

Dorman has eliminators now.

M0RRIS

The factory should have had eliminators. It’s been time tested that a live axle doesn’t have the mpg loss, wear and tear and problems engineers think.

white08gt

new Ford Rangers don't have IWEs, I guess they have a differential disconnect but not positive.

M0RRIS

or they left it a live axle.