I have a 04-05 F150 with Shift on the fly 4x4.

My question is: must the front wheels rotate to engage the 4X4 system?

The reason for my question is, when I bought the truck a person told me he did not like the SOTF because, if you got stuck and couldn't move, the truck would not go into 4 wheel drive. Only those trucks with manually locking hubs would get you out of the ditch.

Second part to the question: Does the answer to the above work the same in 4L, since you must have the truck in nuetral to engage 4L?

Thanks in advance.

 

Yes it will go into 4wd without moving. However it is not a good idea to attempt going into 4wd if the rears are spinning. Yes 4lo works the same.

 

you can engage 4hi moving or stoped you only have to stop and be in nuetral for 4lo

 

The only way the front differential won't lock into 4WD is if the shift forks aren't lined up but will engage in rotation. That is assuming the 4WD system is 100% functioning, no vacuum problems or broken/warn components.

 

04-up do not have the shift fork. They engage at the hubs.

 

Thank you for your response.

I feel better knowing this information as we've been having some snow.

I would mention that I've heard a loud clunk after shifting into 4H and thought that was the 4X4 engaging. The truck has 15,000 miles and not mistreated. I used 4H today and everything worked fine.

Can anybody supply a web site or address I might visit to obtain an understanding of the 4X4 system?