AWD Concern

[Henry Suarez]

So, everytime I tow my boat I put the STA in AWD. My marina is notorius for swallowing trucks. But, I always here loud clicking and clacking when I turn. It sounds like the spring in the suspension are getting banged around. Is this common?

 

[gyates]

You should only use the awd when driving on slippery road surfaces. On dry pavment the system can't "slip" and it binds it up. Not good. As soon as you get off the wet ramp turn awd off. Some on here more technical/mechnical than I am can probably explain better but this is the best way to tell you do not use awd unless driving on very wet or icy roads. On my wife's Explorer we leave it in the "auto" setting and about the only time I actually "lock" it into 4x4 is when my very steep driveway is ice covered.

 

[Johnny O]

Gen 2 Tracs are always in AWD. What you are doing is locking it in 4wd which isn't really necessary. When the computer detects wheel slippage it will kick the front axle in anyway. If you want to lock it in, just doing while going straight when pulling the boat out, then shift back to 4-Auto before you turn the wheels.

 

[Yardsale]

Sound advice from JohnnyO.

 

[Johnny O]

Sound advice from JohnnyO.

Thank you.

The thought did occur to me later that if your boat ramp is slippy* then locking it in 4-Hi would have the effect of the e-brake holding the front wheels as well as the rears and you may need the extra holding power. Then after you pull out, switch it to 4-Auto before you turn the wheels. I don't have a boat but I do have a jetski. For people not familiar with boat ramps, it's not just the water you have to worry about but moss can grow below the water line and you can barely keep your footing walking on the stuff, let alone hold a 5000 lb vehicle plus a boat. It's like ice.



*I'm from Pittsburgh, we say "slippy" instead of "slippery".

 

[A1cntrler]

I thought the gen 2 tracs were either 2wd or 4x4 Auto mode with selectable hi or lo settings, and the Adrenalin was always full time AWD? Am I thinking wrong?

 

[Henry Suarez]

The STA can be locked into AWD, otherwise its on if needed.

 

[Johnny O]

Gen 2 Tracs are not AWD. The 4-Auto position functions as 2wd but if the computer detects wheel slippage then the front axle kicks in automatically. 4-Hi and 4-Low lock it into 4wd all the time, although Adrenalins do not have a low range button. Gen 2 4x4 Tracs do not run in 4wd or AWD all the time. I live in the snow belt and frankly I lock mine in 4-Hi on snow-covered roads because I find the 4wd kicking in and out automatically without warning to be irritating.

If you don't believe me, let Todd Z weigh in since he owns both.

 

[gyates]

My '04 Explorer works the same way. In the "Auto" mode it only kicks into 4 wheel drive if the system detects slippage. but I can lock it into 4 wheel hi or 4 wheel low if needed.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Damn traction control severly limits the Trac when stuck in snow. Turning it off doesn't seem to help anything.

 

[Johnny O]

Damn traction control severly limits the Trac when stuck in snow. Turning it off doesn't seem to help anything.

Turning off the traction control leaves you with two open diffs. It IS possible to install an '04 Explorer rear L/S (the year before TC) in a Gen 2 Trac, also a Detroit True Trac is available for both front AND rear. I haven't gone that far yet. Dude in Saudi Arabia who drives around the desert in his Explorer has a thread on installing True Tracs over at explorerforum.com.