4x4 - Electronic or Manual Shift?
 

I'm thinking about ordering a new truck and am trying to decide whether to get the electronic 4WD shift-on-the-fly option. Does anyone have any input regarding reliability of the electronic vs. the manual system? Are their any problems/advantages/disadvantages with either system? My new truck will have the 5.4L/auto transmission.

Thanks!

I went with the Manual on mine, I had the electric shift on my Ranger and I had no problems with it, I just feel better with the shifter and not having to depend on an electric motor to do the shifting. Now the only weak link is the vacumn actuator on the axle, but it is 10 times better than hubs. It all is up toi personal preference, both systems should perform flawlessly for many years.

LHM

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2000 F-150 Super Cab XLT 4x4 ORP 5.4liter V8, Towing Package, Rear Slider, Remote keyless Entry,3.55 LS, Black Exterior, Medium Graphite interior, manual shift 4x4. Current mods Gooseneck hitch, mud flaps and Y pipe with duals.

I love the electronic switch. It's placement on the dash is a little poorly chosen however. You can reach over to turn up the fan and turn it on by mistake until you get used to it. But for $150 it is well worth it.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler,Class III Reece load distributing hitch system, full wiring including trailer battery charging system, Escort Sensor II Brake controller, Superchip :)

Utahbrian,for more on this subject see the "Other Drivetrain" section, page 2 thread I started on "4x4 manual vs. shift on the fly".

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Mine: FOR SALE SOON...1997 F150, XLT, SC, Oxford white/maroon 60/40 cloth, 4x4 ORP, 4.6L, 3.55LS, 17" ORP wheels w/GY AT/S LT265/70/17, auto, 6 CD,Towing package, alarm, Rhino grill guard w/PICCA lights, dual exhaust. Bought new June '96

Wife: '99Explorer Limited,pearl white/tan leather,4.0L,4:10LS,CD,sunroof,towing pkg.,alarm. Bought new Sept. 1999

Next: 2001 F150 XLT SuperCrew, 5.4L, 4x4,3:55LS,tow pkg. etc.......

Previous: '65 Mustang 289 HP, '70 Chevelle SS 396, '70 Vette Conv. 350/350, '74 Vette TTop, '79 Blazer, '89 TBird Super Coupe 3.8L SuperCharged, '93 Explorer 4.0L

Manual shift for me. I don't like having to rely on electric motors. I must say though, I had my truck in to the doc for major surgery, and they forgot to plug a wire harness back up at the t-case and I ended up 2 miles down a trail before i realized I had no 4wd. I did how ever have low range thanks to the manual shift, but the vacuum actuator wouldn't engage the front axle. I could have easily fixed it, but I ended up with about 2" clearance between the underside of the truck, and dirt. Needless to say, it cost me a good hour on the bussiness end of a comealong

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BigBunnell

98 F150 4X4 XLT flareside V6 5sp K&N Flowmaster and some other goodies

Had both, not a problem with either one. Personally I liked the electronic and being able to shift at moderate speeds.

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'97 Ford SC 4X4 XLT Off Road pkg., 4.6,A/OD, 3:55, premium sound w/CD chg, Black clct,towing pkg., hvy duty elec. pkg., Bridestone dueler AT's, line X, Flowmaster true duals, chip, K&N air filter, smittybilt stainless nerf bars

It appears to be just a matter of preference.
I have the electric shift, and love it. It keeps the floor clear, which is handy when you have 3 people in the front seat.


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Kelly

for more info on my truck, just click the link below and browse around.
http://www.fordf150.net

THIS IS A PRETTY DUMB POST IM ABOUT TO PUT IN BUT OH WELL, I HAVE AN ELECTRONIC SHIFTER ON MINE AND I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED IF IT WOULD BE A PIAN IN THE ASS WHEN YOU HAVE A GIRL IN THERE, ALL YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT I MEAN WE NEED THE ROOM HAHAHAHAHAAH

I HOPE I DONT OFFEND ANY ONE I KNOW WE TAKE OUR INFO PRETTY SERIOUSS I KNOW I DO


1997 REGULAR CAB, 4.6, LARIAT, 4X4, 40 SERIES FLOWMASTER, K&N, SADDLE BROWN LEATHER INTERIOR, 10 CD CHANGER, SIGNAL MIRRORS, TOREADOR RED EXTERIOR, WITH MOCHA TRIMMING