Are you guys for this. It's the only thing offered on the FX4, so what are we to do. We have no choice-other than to get an XLT and put the FX4 sticker on (which wouldn't feel right).

What are the pros (if any), and the many, many cons.

 

One of the cons of ESOF is that the truck cannot be towed with any wheels down. The owner's manual says that with ESOF you must use a dolly or a roll-back truck.

 

Im not sure I get what you are asking? or saying

Edit: Isnt ESOF the 4wd 2wd selection?

 

That's right. But I'm asking if you guys would rather have ESOF of Manual Shift. Or if you guys think that one is just as good as the other.

I'm doing my homework here. The reason I ask is because the places that I go riding in the woods I NEED four-wheel drive. So I don't want to take any chances because I rely on it. So if there are going to be more problems with the ESOF, then I'd rather get the XLT's equivalent of the FX4, but with the manual shift 4x4.

I really would like to know what you guys think.

 

Ohhhh Now I get what you are saying. I think its pretty nice, it hasnt failed me yet but what do I know?

 

The ESOF is the reason I didn't get the FX4. I wanted the manual shift so I got and XLT. It help me sleep at night.

 

Yeah, I get you guys there. But I would like to have the leather interior. With the Lariat, you can't get the Manual Shift transfer case either.

 

lol Did you just edit your sig just from this post?

 

I don't like it either. I had an 03 F250 Lariat. I custom ordered it, so I had them delete the shift on the fly and went with the manual, even though it wasn't part of the package. Unless things have changed, they can do it, just don't like to. They assume Everyone nowadays is a "soccer mom" that will never use the 4x4 except to go camping once every 6 years.

 

If you do decent wheeling even on 35's you're going to break something. Good luck, I hate my trucks reliability offroad, well lack their of. I've blown a hub, my f'in Transfercase, and a couple vacuum leaks. We'll see what else, oh and my steering rack has snapped to boot...lots of money in repairs and hours of my own labor.

I would go with another vehicle if you plan any decent offroading. If you remain stock height, you'll have a lot of trouble offroad and won't get anywhere, but you can probably rely on your powertrain to be working while stuck...getting through the trail is where you'll fall short. I wouldn't go back to stock EVEN if I could take my problems back.

What I do is hardly what I'd call rough, the truck does pretty well when it's working but it's not exactly tough either. The borgwarner tcase is subsceptible to damage if you use it with large tires, depending on how much you wheel. Regear and it will hold up, don't trust 4lo to do the gear reduction for you...it won't handle it.

You live and learn.

 

I'd go with the manual shift if I were you. I have broken a hub and had vaccum leaks as well so I'll second what Josiah just said.

 

did you install manual locking hubs too?

...or am i misunderstanding the system as vacuum servo auto locking hubs actuated by a lever or a motor?

 

I had this system in my 02 and in my 05. I have never had a problem with it. My trucks have been put some very ruff stuff and always came out or got towed out with all 4 spinning.

 

I'm not planning on mud-bogging the truck. I again though do need 4x4 when I go camping. I don't expect the 4 wheel drive to "perform" like a top truck challenger's truck. I have a '70 Bronco for the harcore stuff. I just want the 4x4 to work when I go hunting and I'm going up our steep muddy grade in the winter.

Another guy that I hunt with has a black '05 FX4. He's never had a problem. I just wonder if ESOF would be better or manual shift. As a direction for you to go in, I use 4x4 at least twice a month at the least when I'm on trips, more during the winter. What I'm thinking is that if I use it that much, then it will work whenever I want it versus if I use it once a year and its like not starting a car for 10 years and when you want to go use it, you have to rebuild and replenish the unit.

Do you guys think that with this frequent use that I shouldn't have a problem?

 

come on, nobody can help me with this?