Still my only complaint about the f150, but come on!
It has been snowing a lot recently, and today we had a lot of freezing rain. So I've been driving a lot in 4x4 anyway.

So far the truck always goes into 4x4 when I ask it to, but it won't always go back to 2wd. I turn the switch to 2wd and the 4x4 light goes out but the transfer case is still in 4x4, and one of the hubs often remains locked. WTF?
It won't bind when turning, but get on the throttle and it will slip a little, then grab traction up front. It is really pissing me off. I could maybe see if there is moisture in the vacuum lines that froze, keeping the hub(s) locked. But WTF is with the transfer case? It shifts back and forth between high and low range fine.
Man I am so sick of electronic 4x4.

 

Interesting. I never had a bit of trouble with the electronic 4x4 in my F150, but it doesn't surprise me with that vacuum junk.

 

sounds like you have moisture in that IWE thingy.

I hear ya on electric 4wd, I just got mine working again the in superduty. though it was my fault. The 4wd system is a bit better on the superduty but not that much better.

I thought it worked awesome on the rangers with live axles. ha

 

At least the super duty has actual manual hubs you can bypass the vacuum system with. I sure wouldn't mind having a lever shift t-case though.

 

some are that way, mine look like manuals but do not turn at all.

 

beard, yours should turn "auto" and "lock"

brianjwilson, install a vacuum gauge on one hub line at the hub at a time...see how long it takes the vacuum to bleed off after you switch into 2wd. you could have a venting issue

 

Really? I thought all super duty's came with auto and lock position hubs like Justin said.

 

really? I cant get mine to turn at all. I am not really weak either. lol ive tried several times because it has never made sense why they are labeled as if you can turn them.

 

I agree, the Sport Trac 4x4 system never had an issue. Only a couple of times when I was in deep heavy wet snow (18+"), it would not want to switch because of snow packed all around the transfer case. If I knocked the snow off it would work fine.

I guess I should have installed the updated IWE solenoid with the hood on the top before the freezing rain, but my back has been killing me so I haven't fooled with it. I guess if things are still acting up I'll crawl around under the truck see what it's actually doing and what is/isn't engaged. I would think that if there is moisture in there, it would work it's way back out under suction once it is above freezing? What do I know?... lol

I would love to just plug the lines and install a manual shift case, but the shift levers that came on the STX F150 were in the center of the floor and I have the big center console. I think it would be a big hack job to try and make it work.

 

fwiw, my 04 f150 did this as well. I always had to go into reverse to make it go out (had to do the same with my old 02 ranger as well). I think the electronic bs is junk.

Yesterday I got to test the 4wd for the first time in my twin stick. it is ftw. Goes in when you pull the lever, and goes out when you put it back in 2wd. I wasnt use to it so I was really excited haha

 

I just googled it and it says all Superdutys have locking hubs. Some have both like yours.

 

Yes, the first few days with a lot of snow I could reverse and it would disengage fine. Yesterday that only worked intermittently.

 

Zach, maybe your hubs are just good and salty in there..?

 

I've noticed most SD hubs are pain to turn...Usually a channel locks with rubber protectors will get them moving again.

 

Beard.
Ford Technical Hotline suggests that you put your purse down before attempting to turn the manual hubs on your Ford Superduty truck. Holding a purse or storage type shoulder bag can inhibit hub movement.

If any further assiatnce is needed, please feel free to contact Ford Technical Hotline. Thank You.

-Justin Higgs
Transmission, Driveline,
and 4x4 System Service
Engineer.

LOL this is the response we came up with for you at work!

spray them with WD-40 and try to work them slowly

 

Haha!

 

ROFL justin

 

I put new IWE's in my F150 this fall, cause they where clicking on me, but this time of year i will probably shift in and out a couple times a day it seems. Mine 4x4 system gets used alot even in the summer months, I think the main problem is people don't use it enough, where mine went bad when I was using it lol.

 

Mine has been used plenty in the last two years so that shouldn't have anything to do with it.

Generally speaking I agree with you though. BUT, with the design of the F150 hubs it shouldn't be as much of a factor, since they lock when you shut the truck off, and unlock when you start it. The shift motor on the other hand...

 

LMAO, too funny Justin. Its already bad enough when you answer your phone just like that when I call. haha

 

lol there should be an exploded view of those hubs on PTS in the 4x4 and front suspension section if you cant get them to move

 

I'm not too concerned though i should take a look.

 

Hopefully the 4x4 system works in my truck cause there's 8 to 10 inches of fresh snow on the ground and I need to pull the enclosed trailer home. I think im going to have to dig out the chains cause its like pulling a anchor through the snow even empty. Its pretty bad when you also put the torch in the truck cause you know the brakes are going to freeze up in the F150 tho.

 

I replaced the IWE solenoid today. It works fine in the garage but it's also (barely) above freezing. We're suppose to get a couple inches of snow so I'll see if it works right tonight or tomorrow. I'm still mildly concerned that moisture may be stuck further down the vacuum lines and it may freeze. I suppose the only way to properly fix that (if it was a problem) would be to remove the lines on both ends and get a vacuum pump to suck it out...?

 

do you think there is moisture in the lines or in the hubs?