4WD conversion

[Punisher6]

I have a 2001 Eddie Bauer 4x4 with AWD. I would like to convert it to the XLT set up with 2WD, AWD, 4H, 4L. My current setup is AWD, 4H, 4L. Does anyone know if this is possible? I am guessing that changing the switch and possibly disconnecting the AWD sensors but I'm not sure. any help would be very helpful.

The reason I want to change it is because I don't need the AWD option to say the least my wife doesn't like it either and its her vehicle.

 

[Bedrck47]

Anything is possible However the 2001 Eddie Bauer or XLT was only available as AWD, 4H, 4L
In the 1st Gen expedition only the 97 and 98 had 2WD, 4WD, 4H and 4L from 99 to 02 the Expys were AWD, 4H and 4L Then in 2003 Ford went back to 2WD, AWD, 4H and 4L.

Also the AWD system uses Electric Controls The 2WD system uses both Electric and Vacuum Controls

 

[ExplorerTom]

Brown wire mod.

Super simple.

 

[Punisher6]

Sounds good, but what is the brown wire mode?

 

[JExpedition07]

Why do you desire to make the change? My previous 02 Explorer was like that, was a fine system. It's not sending any juice forward until it detects slip.

 

[Punisher6]

At lower speeds in parking lots it tries to engage. Not a big fan of AWD. I agree it’s a good system but having the 2WD option is what I want.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Sounds good, but what is the brown wire mode?

http://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/brown-wire-mod.3586/

 

[Punisher6]

Another question about the switch.

In the models with the 2WD and AWD option along with 4H and 4L why wouldn’t that switch work on the AWD models. I am asking because I am by no means an expert when it comes to electrical on this system

I would think that the 2WD position would be the off position on the toggle switch and the AWD position would be the on position on the toggle switch. 4WD and 4L would be normal. I looked at several expeditions in the junk yard yesterday and at the switch all the wires were the same color in all models. Even the 2WD models had the wire leading to the blank where the switch would be on the 4WDs.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Try it, but I think it's part of the ECU programming and not a switch.

 

[kythri]

Thinking you're going to need a different model transfer case, as well...

 

[rjdelp7]

Try pulling under hood, fuse 104. It is the electric transfer case clutch. It will stop parking lot binding. It will be 2WD, but front drive shaft and axles, are still a drag on drivetrain. The 97-98 had a front driveshaft disconnect and a 2wd option on the selector. Blame owners, with under inflated, Firestone tires. There was outbreak, of roll over accidents. Ford deleted/tweaked 2wd/A4wd, mid model. I blame this system, for lousy fuel mileage and lack of power. However, in winter it works well.

 

[Punisher6]

Does anyone know if the switch with 2WD option will work in place of the AWD switch?

 

[kythri]

Does anyone know if the switch with 2WD option will work in place of the AWD switch?

No, it will not. You need a transfer case that matches.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Transfercases are the same. It’s not actually an “all wheel drive” vehicle. It’s automatic 4wd.

 

[kythri]

They're not the same, from year to year.

In most instances, they're a BW4406, sure, but there are variants. Hell, F-150's have manual-shift BW4406's.

1997 and 1998 share the same model, which has a dedicated 2WD position.

1999-2001 is another model, not compatible with 97-98, and vice versa. 98-01 doesn't have the dedicated 2WD position on the transfer case.

2002 can be either be a BW4406 or a BW4416. If it's a BW4406, then it's the same as 1999-2001. If it's a BW4416, then, obviously, not the same.

2003-2004 has 5 different variants.

And so-on.

They are not identical transfer cases. If you've got a 2000, swapping in a 1997-1998 switch with a 2WD position is not going to work, or at least, not going to work correctly.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Pretty sure the transfercases are the same. Sure the switch on the dash is different, but my 2000 is 2wd until the computer detects slips and then a shift motor engages 4wd automatically.

I would doubt a simple switch change would do the same thing- worth a shot though.

 

[ExplorerTom]

http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech/transfer_cases.htm

Other than some sensor locations, all 1st gen transfercases are the same.

These sensors may be significant in what you’re trying to do. Personally, I'd just get ahold of a BW4406 manual shift case and be done with the stupid switch. That’s what I did with my Explorer.

 

[kythri]

Your own link shows that the 97-98 case is different from the 99-02 case.

If you pull the shift motor off of a 97-98 and do the same to a 99-02, you'll see that there's a different/extra selector position for the 2WD on the 97-98 cases.

That 2WD position on the older cases disables the ControlTrac/Torque On Demand A4WD system

They're not the same.

 

[ExplorerTom]

No.

The "auto" mode is all done at the front axle. It locks the front axle, hubs and driveshaft together allowing the clutches in the transfercase to split torque to the front as needed.

AKA "torque on demand". Just like my link shows.

A feature that all first gen transfercase have. Just like my link shows. They only difference is that '97 and '98 got their speedometer reading from the rear driveshaft.

The 2wd function unlocks the front axle. Which is probably why simply changing the switch doesn't do anything because the ECU isn't setup to accept a 2wd command on a vehicle not offered with that setting (although still possible that they didn't remove that programming).

 

[kythri]

Researching converting a V8 Explorer to 4WD a while back, I found pictures on ExplorerForum showing a 97 and a 99 Expedition transfer case, distinctly showing an extra position on the older t-case switch.

I've been trying to find them to show this, but I suspect the Photobucket nonsense has rendered this a pointless exercise.