Hello, I have an 03 XLT FX4 w/ a manual 4x4. How complicated would a conversion to ESOF be? What parts would be needed, and what kind of money are we talking about? What would I do with the hole in the floor when I pull the stick out? Lastly, a word on the reliability of ESOF would be greatly appreciated, as I have heard mixed things...

 

Based on the number of posts I've seen from people having problems with their electonic 4X4, Unless that stick poking out of the floor really bugs you, I'd leave it alone. I don't think pushing a button on the dash is much easier than pulling a stick back 1'' with two fingers, but then I'm kind of a hillbilly too!

 

I agree with Fairlaner. ESOF is just more electronic stuff to break. I'm not 100% sure how the system works, but you would have to have some kind of relay, along with a motor that takes the place of the stick. Probably not too complicated, but it's more work than I would do, unless that stick really gets in the way.

There used to be somebody around here with a sig that said "manual (real) 4x4". I love the stick though. Just seems a bit more manly I guess

 

Something else to keep in mind - you cannot flat tow a truck with ESOF, period. It has to be trailered or dollied with the rear driveshaft disconnected.

 

Why is that? It's not full time 4wd, it's just a different way of activating the part time 4wd.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=286246

Note post #10.

 

interesting, i did not know this... conversely then, to flat tow a manual 4x4, all you would have to do is put the t-case in neutral, as well as the transmission, is that correct?

 

Just the t-case. Once the t-case is in neutral, the transmission is irrelevant.

For the original poster, the swap would be WAY more complex than it's worth. You'd need a properly-programmed GEM, the transfer case shift motor and encoder for the proper year, the correct wiring on the truck, the transfer case shift relays, and probably some other things I can't think of.

In the end, you'd be left with a system that's no more reliable than the system you already have.

 

my 2001 has a floor shifter and i have shift on the fly. read your owners manual

 

if you have a floor shifter, than you do not have ELECTRONIC shift on the fly... note the "E" in "ESOF." smartass.

 

Keep the shifter, less problems, and thats from the factory, I would hate to go through all that and fight it. Plus you cant put goofy stuff on 4x4 switches

 

No way I would swap a manual 4 wheel squeel for the electronic switch.


If anything, I would rather rip the switch out and put manaul in....

 

I have ESOF and the only reason I got the particular truck I got was it was a beautiful red and a supercrew, otherwise a floor shifter would have been great for me. However, and it should be somewhere archived on this forum, but there are kits to go from ESOF to MSOF. And really not expensive if you are willing to install the kit yourself.

 

personally I wouldstick to manual 4x4 way too many things to break with the electronic setup. I had an explorer a few years ago with push button 4x4 and I spent more time fixing the 4x4 in that than using it. manual shift 4x4 rules!

 

All of the 1997-2009 F-150s use Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) 4x4 system.
Some use a manual shift and some use an electric shift transfer case but they all use an ESOF 4x4 system.

OK, back to the question. For the change you will need all the parts that Joe said plus the wiring and an electric shift transfer case. The manual shift t-case shifts through the linkage in the front of the t-case and the electric shift has the motor on the rear half and shifts the linkage through the rear. The manual shift is by far the most reliable of the two. You pull the lever and it is going to shift.

JMC