Walter I bought my 03 fx4 scab from said I had to put my truck in neutral to engage 4x4 is that true? Others isn't have window sticker or owners manual

 

Only 4lo. 4hi can be switch on up to 88km

 

To engage 4x4L, yes. To switch between 2H and 4H you do not need to be in neutral. I always make sure that I am coasting when I do it though.

Obviously if you are able to being in neutral is going to be better for the system than doing it while driving, but either way works.

 

I always do otherwise it jerks kinda hard when its in drive and you engage 4high and I think that's no good for the truck. I try to be rolling put it in netural throw it in 4high then put it back in drive so everything have a chance to lock in without throwing power to it. 4low you should be stopped and in netural. And 4high will automatically disengage when you take it out of 4x4. But for 4lo you have to reverse for abit. I think I had a Dodge that you had to so I do it on my Ford just to be sure.

 

Only engage 4wd on the fly if you absolutley have to. the front differential shift fork and gear in the diff case can wear out sooner if this is done repeatedly.

 

That is the first I have ever heard of that. Where did that information come from??

I routinely shift mine in and out of 4x4 at speeds of 60+ mph in the winter. Never once had a problem.

I believe the operator's manual states to limit shifting into 4x4 to 50 mph, and out at any speed. Those speeds are off of the top of my head, look them up to be safe.

 

I'm not so sure you should be driving in 4x4 going faster than 50mph..

 

from two different techs and my parts counterpart that has owned 4 of our year trucks and has worked there for 40 yrs at the ford dealership I work at. we see around 15 97-03 f150s a week on average at our shop plus the walk in that we get. we sell a couple of these every month. I trust these guys. I would be happy to let you talk to any of them if you want

 

I heard the same thing from a ford dealership, switching to 4hi at 50mph or less a lot will wear out and mess up the front diff a lot faster. Only switch at a roll if you absolutely have to..

 

Bull....if shifting on the fly would mess up your 4WD system then Ford would not recommend it...think about what you are saying.