Im shopping for a 97-99 F150 4X4.I noticed some have a floor shifter, some just use a switch to engage 4wd.What are the differences in these systems? which is better? are they both "on the fly" systems?

 

They are both "on the fly" and the front axle engagement is controlled by the GEM reguardless of the transfer case type.
Shifter type doesn't use an electric motor for engagement, as the **** type does.
The electric motor is fairly reliable, if used more than once a year, so in all honesty it is a toss up.

 

boils down to is it worth the $150 option ot have a **** on the dash that my wife easily confused with the a/c controls. so we opted not to get it. also, sometimes it's just manly to feel the floor shifter slide. there used to be probs with the vacuum link in the earlier models of the electric shifter, but i don't know if they ever fixed that problem, that was a problem with all the manufacturers. i've had four '97+ f150s, all with the floor shifter and find it is great, but you have to sacrifice some feet room (no big deal with captains chairs, but i've always had a bench)

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"flexible hips mean higher steps"

2001 F-150 Supercab XLT 4x4 5.4L Auto w/carpet delete, tow package, power adjustable pedals, "man"ual 4wd shift lever, law enforcement scanner, CB w/PA, Speedliner, Streamlight Stinger, Graco infant car seat

 

also note that you can only get the electonic 'dial' shift with the 4sp auto.

And the dual shifters on a 5sp, just looks cool! hehe



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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; twin 6" kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S

 

Question:
Do you ever see posts about people having problems with a "MAN"ual shift 4x4?
Decision made.
See sig.

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2001 F150 XLT SC SPORT 4X4 FLARESIDE
* Black
* 4.6
* Auto
* awesome factory 10 spoke 17" wheels
* "MAN"ual shift 4x4
* 3.55 Limited slip
* Captains chairs W/console
* Factory tube steps
* Slider
* FORD bedliner

 

There was somebody here recently who seemed to have a manual shift transfer case that had a problem. Sounded like it wasn't fully engaging the t-case.

I've had the manual and now have the electronic and I prefer the electronic. Leaves the transmission hump area free for me to put a small cooler when I'm on a long trip. I have never mistakenly grabbed the wrong **** either.

It's also easier to teach a novice how to shift the electronic version than it is the manual and is almost fool-proof which is a good thing when loaning my truck to friends.

 

JDF, as a service tech I have seen just as many problems with the manual shift as the automatic, for two reasons:
1. The manuals still use the GEM module to selsct the front axle lockup, and they are always ripping off vaccuum lines in the corn stalks around here.
2. User failure. You can get a manual to go into low range while still moving. OR at least it does for a few feet. OUCH! The auto is idiot proof.
That having been said, I must agree with the guy that said that a 5 gear shifter looks cool with a smaller sister!

 

Another consideration with the floor shift, it has a neutral position, so you can completely disconnect the drivetrain for towing with all four wheels on the ground. Maybe not a big bonus, but really handy when you get it stuck and have to pull it out with a 4450.

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2000 F150 SC SB 4x4 XLT
Trition 4.6 Romeo, 5 sp manual, Factory class III tow package, sliding rear window,
3.55 LS pumpkins, P265/75R16 BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A's

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger, Gibson 3" side swept cat back exhaust, Superchip!, Class III draw-tite front receiver hitch with custom made receiver skid plate, push bar, and winch frame.Warn 4x removeable steps. Pioneer DEH-P7200 Organic EL CD-Player, Polk EX-572A speakers, John Deere spinner ball.
NOW WITH F75Z-8005-GA 2.2" 2 CORE RADIATOR (replaced 4/2/01)

 

nomopar4me,
Good point about idiot proof. My understanding is that with esof you can turn the dial to low but it just won't go. On the manual, you have to be stopped and in NEUTRAL to go into low. Someone would have to try reeeal hard to shift to low in motion. (or and idiot )
I just don't like "gadgets" I guess.

 

I have a 99' ext. cab XLT with a 4.6 and automatic trans. The electronic **** will let you go into 4wd at any time, however if put into the 4Low position it will stay in 4High until the truck is stopped and put into Neutral or Park. The manual also advises that the truck not be driven in 4High at speeds over 55 mph, but it will go faster than that. I've had mine up to 75 mph in 4High. I have never confused the **** with the A/C **** either.

 

bigbackwindowford,

I'll bet your transfer case felt really good about you doing this too!

".....The manual also advises that the truck not be driven in 4High at speeds over 55 mph, but it will go faster than that. I've had mine up to 75 mph in 4High....."

 

Actually, you're not supposed to shift into 4Hi at speeds over 55 mph. Once ENGAGED, you can drive as fast as you want. The Transfer Case has a synchronizer that can be damaged if engaged at over 55 mph. I know you can engage it at higher speeds, but from what I hear, it's not healthy for the synchro.

 

A transfer case is not meant to be used at these types of speeds. A differential or transmission, fine. But for that transfer case to be whizzing around at those kind of speeds, it's no wonder it didn't blow up into tiny little pieces! Think about all the mechanical linkages that are working so much harder to drive the truck at these speeds....CV Joints, Axles, transfer case....etc. All pretty expensive parts to have go for.....what reason again?? Because you need 4 wheel drive on a dry highway at 80 miles an hour?

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1998 Black F-150 XLT Ext. 4x4 Off-Road Package
Current Mods:
-Pace Edwards Roll Top
-Box Liner
-Tinted all around
-Pioneer 4100 CD Deck w/remote
-Kenwood 400W Amp
-Phoenix Gold 5x7's
-JL Audio Stealth Box
-2 Phoenix Gold 8" Subs
-K&N Filter
Check it out: <A HREF="http://www.f150world.com/jeffstruck
1998" TARGET=_blank>www.f150world.com/jeffstruck
1998</A> Silver Frost Contour LX V6 "Full Load"
1985 Mustang GT w/T-Tops "The Fun Machine"

 

Actually the manual does say don't engage it from 2wd to 4hi over 55 mph...you can drive it as fast as you can go once engaged though...which, with a lifted; non-souped up truck, is only about 100...


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-Brandon Warford
97 F150 4x4 Sport Brt. Red SuperCab
4.6l Triton V8
3.55LS Rear-end
MECHANICAL MODS:
3" Performance Acc. Body Lift & lift lips
1-1.5" torsion bar adjust. so it sits level
Clear Corner Lenses
315/75R16 Yoko. Geolander MTs
American Racing Atlas 16x10
True Dual Exhaust
--(2) 3 Chamber Flowmasters (Exits like the Lightning)
FUN MODS:
Pioneer 8000 3D series
Boston Acoustic 5x7s
Sony Xplode 4ch Amp
(2) 8" RF XLC Subs
Custom 4x4 Sticker
Viper Alarm
FUTURE MODS:
4.56 gears
Repaint around Headlights where clearcoat is coming off &gt;=(
Fix ding in tailgate
Skidplate
New pinstripe
Heckethorn or Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Rancho RS9000 Shocks & Control System
Thats about it for now!
Check out my NEW WEBSITE:
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