Disengaging 4wd in '94 F150

the shift lever disengages the transfer case internals, disconnects front drive shaft from rear shaft

backing up disengages the 'auto-lock' hubs, this keeps front drive shaft and front differential from turning when in 2WD

Auto lock? I have to get out of the truck and turn the hub locks from free to lock. Usually leave it like that for the winter. Even after shifting the lever out of 4wd, the truck stays in 4wd until I back up. Don't think the hubs are an auto lock, not sure. Sue Northern Wisconsin remove YOURPAWS when replying

Susan, You should be out of 4WD when you move the lever into 2H. The hubs are still locked, and the front axle will turn, but if you can move the lever to 2WD, you are not in 4WD. Because the front axles still move, you may experience binding in tight turns, but that doesn't mean you are in 4WD. When I turn my hubs to the free position, I do have to back up (more like 6 inches) to disengage the hubs.

Doesn't sound right to me. If you get out and turn the hubs, this would mean you have "manual", not "automatic" hubs. (On this year truck, it might be possible to have the old Warn auto hubs which I believe could be turned manually too, but this is an aftermarket item and is pretty rare.)

From my experience and understanding, with a lever on the inside, (and not a button on the dash or other location), shifting it should either engage or disengage 4x4. Period. There should be no need to back up to complete the process. The only exception to this would be a transfer case that was very tight, (due to infrequent use), and even then it wouldn't be just a backing up maneuver, but just about any kind of rocking back and forth that would relieve pressure on the driveline. You would know if this was the case since you would be man-handling (woman handling in this case!) the lever and it wouldn't budge or wouldn't move clear to the unlock/lock position.

Matt

The spring loaded shift collar in the transfer case may not release until the drive line is slackened by reversing or turning a corner. So it staying in 4wd in the 2wd position is a very likely situation.

see my previous reply to Michael O.

I think Steve is explaining it although not sure, since I don't understand it at all. But, the hubs are manual, there is a shift lever, not button inside. When shifting out of 4wd, it still has that heavier duty sound (nothing bad) and traction as 4wd. I've tested the traction prior to reverse and I think it's still in 4wd. After reverse, no traction, per se. When I bought the truck (used) it shifted in and out with no problem. It was after they "fixed" it, maybe new parts and tightened up stuff, that Steve's explanation started to effect it. Anyway, it works, I just hate that reverse thing. Thanks for all the replies. Sue Northern Wisconsin remove YOURPAWS when replying

you do not HAVE to back up to disengage the 4 wheel drive, but it will dissengage faster if you do. if you just kick the transfer case lever into 2 wheel while driving it will stay engaged till you stop. even if you are stopped and unock the hubs, they are still "loaded" and will not unlock till you release the pressure from the cogs.it is just easer to kick it in reverse for a foot or two, and know all is disengaged than to kick it out and guess

Steve may have the answer here, but this should not occur.

As you (Susan) stated, it didn't do this before the "fix", and it shouldn't be doing it now. You should take it back and have it fixed right.

Matt

Unless the tires are all EXACTLY the same size and EXACTLY the same pressure, AND you never turn a corner, it surely WILL occur. Nature of the beast. It's called driveline bind.

Hmm, I've owned lots of different brands of manual 4x4s and it has never occured in any of them. Once the lever was popped back into

Matt

You may have "thought" they were back in 2wd. This also applies to your yuppiefied push (pronounced puss) button 4 wd.

It sounds to me like it IS working normally, Barker speaks the truth about it not releasing if there is a bind in the driveline. Bob

What you say is correct. The point was that, even though you are in

This is also my experience. Just today here in the mountains I had to throw the transfer case lever from 4wd to 2wd many times. If it had not released the front differential from the rear, then it would immediately bind and I would have had a problem. I'm driving a '92 Bronco with manual hubs. Note, I would never trust the automatic pushbutton hub systems. That's one reason why my '99 F350 4x4 is a Ford. They are the only ones offering a manual hub system.

I think the differences of opinion stated on this issue is really fine tuning. Most points are valid in the most technical sense. The main point I believe is that if you are on a 'non-ice' or dirt surface, keep it in 2wd, or, immediately get out of 4wd.

: >-- : >Steve Barker :

Mine is just like yours. The lever moves, but the transfer case absolutely will not disengage unless the drivetrain goes slack. But I don't absolutely have to back up. I suspect you don't either. As long as I keep it in a bind the transfer case will stay in 4wd. I think a lot of people aren't observant enough and don't use 4wd enough to know whether their truck does this or not.

Now, I don't know why you said "OLDER" or "MANUAL" but the answer to that question is no. Ford used a Borg-Warner transfer case on these 80-96 style trucks and they're not really the norm historically nor on other brands. As far as I know other transfer cases will really come out of gear when you push the lever.

Good job, Susan, spotting the right answer amongst all the chit-chat.

| |you do not HAVE to back up to disengage the 4 wheel drive, but it will |dissengage faster if you do. if you just kick the transfer case lever into 2 |wheel while driving it will stay engaged till you stop. even if you are stopped |and unock the hubs, they are still "loaded" and will not unlock till you |release the pressure from the cogs.it is just easer to kick it in reverse for a |foot or two, and know all is disengaged than to kick it out and guess

I hate to wade into something I'm relatively ignorant on, but that hasn't stopped me befroe :)

I have the exact same truck Susan does. Bought it used, no manual, and I haven't located one. And no, I'm not paying Helms $50 for it. Anybody got an extra? The only time I use 4WD is when I'm moving my trailer in and out of the space beside my shop. Deep sand here. I snick the lever into 4H as soon as I feel the traction going away. I drop or hook up the trailer, head to the street, and snick it back into 2H once the ground firms up. It changes instantly, no reversing. I can tell by the steering feel. Rex in Fort Worth