Hi!!

I'm looking at a 2000 F150 XLT 4x4 w/ 5.4L. It has really low mileage 60,000 Kilometers. I took it for a ride and it's super tight, quiet and smooth. I was ready to put money down on it tonite and went for one final extended test-drive before I did.

It snowed tonite and I wanted to try out the 4x4 system on the truck. I switched it into 4hi and it pulled away fine in the ice just as it should. However, once I got to speeds in the 20 - 30 mph range it started to make a growling that I could hear as well as feel (on the pedals) inside the cab. It was obviously coming from the front end and only seemed to do it while accelerating. It also seemed to grow a little louder while turning. While letting off the gas and coasting it quieted down.

I called my brother and he seemed to think that it was not normal. Besides the extra traction you really shouldn't notice being in 4x4 as far as normal driving is concerned.

I tried 4lo as well. The locking diff in the rear makes it interesting to try and turn around. Also while driving in 4lo I would give the truck a little gas and it would seem like it shifts but then doesn't. Is it supposed to do that? lol Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm new to 4x4's.

I'm just concerned that the transfer case is fried. If it is I would obviously ask for the repair cost to be taken off the purchase price because otherwise it's a great driving truck.

 

You will always have an extra growl coming from the front drive train. It will be louder on dry pavement or a not so slick surface. If you are concerned about it, go find one similar on a used car lot and drive it. See if it makes the same noise.

If there is excessive noise then there could be a problem. A truck that old it could be as simple as needing u-joints in the front end.

My 2 cents