Gen 2 Adrenalin questions

[joe reeves]

Hi everyone. This sight has been a big help to me with my truck. I currently own a 2003 ST XLT that I really love. Being that car guys are NEVER satisfied and always looking for an upgrade, I have been looking for a gen 2 Adrenalin. Really like the look. Lots of questions.

Are all of them AWD? Is there any added maintenance due to AWD? Also, I want a factory Sat radio. Are they all Sat ready or only certain ones? Thanks

 

[Mike S 3]

"AWD" is an option on the Adrenalin package, but in reality the drivetrane in the Adrenalin package is the same as the 4x4 trucks, but without the ability to shift into low range. It's the AdvnaceTrac two speed transfercase etc... Identical maintenance schedule as the 4x4 drivetrane.



It's not really AWD, even if Ford called it that. It's just automatic 4wd without the ability to shift into low range.

 

[joe reeves]

Thanks Mike

 

[Joe Magliocca]

I've been half heartedly looking myself. I currently have an 02 ST, 5 speed manual tranny...love it, but it's starting to show it's age due to 11 Central New York winters.



Do a search on autotrader, cars.com, and craigslist. There are about 10-12 available nationally at the moment. Mostly 08 model year, one 09, one 10 left. Mileage from low 20K to mid 60K, most are black or Red, and one silver.



Closest to me in a 4 hour drive away, and I would really love to get there to actually look at one up close, and to drive. I told myself I was gonna solider on with my trusty ST for another 2 years, to pay down the debt from the mid life crisis car I bought 2 summers back.



Google search the brochure's, 08, 09, & 10 are available...though they don't tell you much. In fact, the 08 doesn't even mention the Adrenalin option. MY 09-10, had slightly more hp from the v8, V6 and V8 available all years, as was 2wd, or awd. Kinda hard to determine what some of the option groups were from the brochure's, but they do give you a good overview.



Be prepared to be surprised at what many dealers(all but one is at a dealer)are asking for them. A 2010 model with 16K recently sold for $34.9K...that was almost $8K ABOVE what average trade in value should be according to another salesman I talked to.



They are relitively rare, and bringing very strong used money. that being said, nothing realy in the marketplace as cool, IMHO.



Best of luck with your search.

 

[Supercharged SVT]

I will agree - Plenty of Ford Dealer have never seen one in person - the shop guys also look with curiosty - Question - With today's bluetooth connectivity and smart phones - why would you want to pay for commercial infected SAT

 

[Vic Sorlie]

My 08 Adrenalin is 2WD, so AWD was an option. The duplicate window sticker I pulled shows the following: V8 Limited 4X2 $28,800. Options: Adrenalin Package w/20" wheels and tires, $2995; Limited Electronics Pkg, $45; Class III tow pkg, $225; AM/FM/CDX6/MP3 radio, $510; Power Adjustable Pedals, $150; Sirius Sat radio with 6 mos subscription, $195; Hard tonneau cover, $595. Total MSRP $34,015 (Dest/Del $785). Good luck with your search.

 

[user 66791]

Well...to answer you question "why would you buy XmSirius versus using your cellphone and blue tooth"...easy.....data plan limits on your cell data plan. If you decide to use your cell and blue tooth to get Pandora or even get Sirius via cell you have the worry of exceeding your data plan. Most people use Verizon or AT&T and they pretty much have data plan limits. Buying the Sync option with Sirius in the Sport Trac prevents using the cell for SAT radio. If you have unlimited data, which is becoming highly likely to be eliminated by the major players, then no problem.

 

[user 66791]

I have the AWD option on my 2008 Adrenalin and I have to option via the electronic menu system to change the AWD to AWD Auto or AWD Locked. When Locked it then sends power to all four wheels. AWD Auto just means it send power to the rear normally but if it senses slippage then it sends power to the from wheels as needed. Works fine and is very easy to switch to AWD Locked for snowy days.

 

[Mike S 3]

Heyward, what you are seeing in the cluster is functionally the exact same thing as 4x4 Auto (AWD Auto), and 4x4 High (AWD Locked) on any other 4wd sport trac. The AWD Adrenalin's are exactly the same as 4x4 ST's, aside from how the 4x4 control module is programmed. It's very misleading in my opinion that ford called these trucks all wheel drive, when they call the same exact parts in a non-adrenalin package truck 4wd. Your and my adrenalin's are simply 4wd sport trac limiteds with different bumper covers, wheels, sideskirts, and a reprogrammed control module that doesn't let us shift into low range.



I'm working on getting a 4wd control module that has been programmed for a 4x4 ST, in the hopes that using it will let me have full use of the two speed transfer case that is in our trucks. Maybe I will have the first real '4wd' adrenalin if it works... I should know tomorrow when I get the part.

 

[user 66791]

Mike....thanks for that. Yeah mis-leading for sure. Let us know if you find a way to do that because I would surely like to be able to switch into low like I used to be able to do with my Gen 1.

 

[joe reeves]

Thanks everyone! Great info and I appreciate the responses. Will probably not do anything until the holidays are over. May put my '03 up for sale first. Thanks again!

 

[H D]

Please forgive my ignorance, but what would 4Lo be used for in a Gen2?

 

[Gavin Allan]

Please forgive my ignorance, but what would 4Lo be used for in a Gen2?

I use 4L on my '10 Limited V8 when pulling logs out of the woods at the farm. Also works well pulling a loaded trailer (rocks and hay, mainly) around the farm. Low range provides more torque to the wheels when pulling heavy loads through the mud and muck. 4L gives me finer control. I used 4L when pulling a tree over with a rope so it wouldn't fall in the gully when I was cutting it down.



in severe weather, I sometimes shift to 4L on the street for better control at low speed to have better engine braking for going down hills.



I don't use 4L a lot, but when I need it, it is quite handy. I don't feel like I am lugging the drivetrain as much in 4L at low speeds.



Here is a good resource to help you understand the various 4WD and AWD systems, and when to use what gear or range for different environments: