01 ford expy question(regarding A4wd)

[86caprirs]

I did the brown wire mod. Still have 4x4 and still have AWD at slow speeds. Once I kick it up the 4x4 disengauges because the brown wire is not connected. But I noticed not difference in mileage. The truck is just a pig on fuel.

Also the front 8.8 diff on my Expy is a limited slip. I had to add friction modifier to the fluid.

 

[2000eb]

I did the brown wire mod. Still have 4x4 and still have AWD at slow speeds. Once I kick it up the 4x4 disengauges because the brown wire is not connected. But I noticed not difference in mileage. The truck is just a pig on fuel.

Also the front 8.8 diff on my Expy is a limited slip. I had to add friction modifier to the fluid.

are you 100% positive? i have yet to see a single expy with a front axle limited slip rear limited slip yes but not on the front

 

[panda24619]

yeah i didnt think the front was a ls. that would cost to much for a company to make the front axle a ls or a locker. unless its an off road truck ie jeep rubicon, dodge power wagon, mercades, range rover...

 

[toms89]

The factory does not put limited slip differential in the front. You can assuming you do not have the front axle disconnect. The earlier gen 1 expys had a front axle disconnect. The later ones do not...... my guess is if you have a 2wd setting you have it.... later expys that do not have 2wd setting do not.

If you put a limited slip differential on the front it will make steering heavy and difficult because the wheels want to rotate at the same rate. I have also heard somewhere that if in off road conditions one of the front wheel looses traction it could potentially pull the steering wheel out of your hand if you are not prepared as the wheel with traction will pull towards the inside.

 

[2000eb]

o i hate that pullin steerin wheel stuff while off roading because a) if you have power steering its not a big deal or hardly noticible at all b) get a steering stabilizer c) if your "off roading" anyway you can hit a rock and it can pull your steering wheel anyway. i have run front lockers/spools/welder gears in the front diff several different vehicles. so my answer when someone tries to say that "hold the damn steering wheel"

 

[86caprirs]

I have a limited slip in the front. Ran the vin on my Ford site at work.I ran it through HVBOM and then the parts screen with my VIN. The parts screen came up with the carrier and clutch packs. I have not taken the front diff cover off yet to see as the front cover is the support for the diff too.

The truck is a AWD with AWD 4h 4l on the switch. When I rotate the front wheel on my hoist, the opposite wheel turns the same way at the sametime. I did not believe it either. But when I dumpped the fluid it smelled and looked the rear diff fluid. Grey and smelly like friction mod. Thats why I went and looked it up on the Ford site with my VIN.

One day I may take the cover off and see for myself.

 

[86caprirs]

I had a 74 EB with front and rear welded diffs and 40" tires. It is hard to steer with powersteering when your twisted up and locked up. But in the mud it is awesome

 

[panda24619]

maybe they did put a ls in the front. but that is too weird. take off the diff one day and take pics. i want to see that. and if your driving around off road, dont HOLD the steering wheel. i know plenty of people that have had broken thumbs cause they hit a rock or something and the steering wheel spun and their thumbs where on inside of the wheel and the spoke broke them. if you drive off road drive with your thumbs on the out side of the wheel.

 

[JERRY DOOLITTLE]

So I am a little confused. My 02 Expy is my third 4x4. I had a 77 F150 with a 300 ci 6 in it (trailing arm IFS and solid axle), that I drove on and off road for about 12 years, then an 88 F250 SD that I owned for about the same period of time. (leaf spring solid axle) I started with an open rear diff in the 77, thru great fortune got to put a locker in it later on. The 88 had an OEM LSD in the back and an open diff in the front. My 02 Expy has an OEM LSD in the back and an open one in the front.... I did a sufficient amount of climbing over rocks in route to good hunting and fishing spots over the years to know that you have to be cautious or the wheel can get ****** out of your hands, open front diff or not.

After reading internet experts elsewhere making comments about concerns with IFS and front locking diffs, Since my 02 is the AWD version, I had thought that a limited slip version would be the best choice for my upgrade. Does anyone have any recent detail regarding their experience with AWD Expys and front limited slip diffs? Thanks for the time.

 

[1955moose]

Jerry start a new thread. Your piggybacking off a 7 year old thread. Do you know how to start your own thread? That's usually the best way to get your problem or idea started.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Wal92tt]

Is yours a stock unit? Its not in any of my exploded views of the front differential or passenger side front axle nor is it ever mentioned in the complete shop manual. To me this really makes no sense. Where is this disconnect located on the front driveshaft?

Regarding part #1 in this diagram, what is the part # and name? I believe this part snapped on our 99 EB 5.4? I'm able to pull it out a few inches and the differential makes a loud noise as this part and whatever is connects to inside are clanging together. I've pulled the 4x4 fuse and no noise, but I'd like to repair it and have access to 4x4.
Now as I look at this diagram, I'm not sure that part #1 snapped, maybe it simply popped out or whatever was retaining it inside? What parts hold it in? If part #1's plines are still good, maybe I can getaway with only replacing the parts holding it inside?
Please include all part #'s if possible when responding, and thank for your help!

 

[Stepcajun]

I wired a switch on the passenger side kick panel,
I have the awd switched off all the time and have full 4 Hi & 4low