All wheel drive to 2 wheel drive mod

[Blackwater]

(1999 Expedition All wheel drive)

Are all Expeditions in my mode range All Wheel drive or is there some with the selection of 2 wheel, 4wheel high and low models T-case’s?

I like to play a little in the snow and light the wheels up and kick the rear out from time to time! Lol

Is there any mods I can do to disengage the All Wheel drive and make it have a selection of 2wd only? I don’t mind having to get under it to select or disengage it.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I know that my 98 has 2HI, A4HI, 4HI, and 4LO, but I have read that some just have the A4HI, 4HI and 4LO. Is that what you have? If so, I believe it's just auto-4wd, meaning it's 2wd until the rear starts to slip, then the fronts engage with a magnetic clutch (as apposed to the mechanical clutch that is engaged in the manual 4HI and 4LO positions).

With that I have seen posts about a brown wire mod, to basically either cut the wire, or instal a toggle so that the magnetic clutch can't engage.

If it's true full-time AWD, I don;t know how to help you there.

 

[Blackwater]

I thought the a4hi was considered all wheel drive, my mistake. But yes that is what I got. A4hi. Do you know anyone or have information on the brown wire mod? Im lost when it comes to the Ford stuff, its all new to me. Have you heard of any bad results from doing this?

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

http://www.expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=3586&highlight=brown+wire+mod

This is where I saw about it.

From what I read, it's basically cutting the wire that controls the magnetic clutch and either leaving it cut, or putting in a toggle switch.

 

[Eddiebauerexpy]

Just unhook the front driveshaft

 

[Blackwater]

Man this is great! So cut the brown and leave it. If I want to use the all wheel run a switch which will add the option of A4hi. It seems too easy to be true. Are you guys sure doing this will not cause any other issues with the tcase or the computer controlling it.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I have a 2HI option on mine, so I have no idea what it does. I am just parrotting what I've read.

 

[davesexplorer]

I did the brown wire mod to my 1999 explorer SOHC V6 with no issues whatsoever. I extended the wires to a switch so essentially I had 2WD, A4WD, 4WD and 4WD LO. I never really thought about what would happen if you left it disconnected and went into 4WD LO however, 2WD LO?

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I am in no way fluent with these trucks, but as I have read online, the AUTO option is a magnetic clutch, and the 4HI and 4LO is a mechanical clutch. The brown wire "enables" the magnetic one, so this mod will only effect the A4WD setting.

At least thats how I understood it.

 

[JUST4FUN]

I am in no way fluent with these trucks, but as I have read online, the AUTO option is a magnetic clutch, and the 4HI and 4LO is a mechanical clutch. The brown wire "enables" the magnetic one, so this mod will only effect the A4WD setting.

At least thats how I understood it.

this is wright to a T

 

[gto78]

By using the brown wire mod and disabling the a 4wd, does this help gas mileage? Or is there a kit for manual hubs? Supposedly a lot of guys are installing manual hubs because it gets you a couple MPG's by reducing drag from the front axle gears.

 

[Blackwater]

I wouldn’t think it will do much for MPG. If you did both mods you might see a small increase. Are you talking about the A4wd or just 4wd? The A4wd just transfers power to the front when the rear begins to slip. Otherwise your are in 2wd. I want the mod just to be able to have a little fun and I cant stand it when its wet out and you give it a little to much gas say on a incline the back starts to give then bammm you hear and feel that a4wd kick in.

I still haven’t made the cut yet. I have looked into the wiring and found the brown wire. On mine it’s a lite brown maybe even a tan. Maybe I will get the balls up to do it in the morning. I just don’t want every warning lig

 

[Blackwater]

Well I made the cut……a little scary but it worked. The worries came from what wire might be what so I ended up cutting right at the t-case. My color of wire did not stay the same nor did the gage. From under the drivers seat to dash “didn’t trace under dash” the wire was brown with a blue tracer. From the connection under seat to another connection right before the t-case it was a smaller gage full brown, from that connection to the t-case it is a larger light full brown. I don’t understand why the gage would vary.
I got a better acceleration off the start with a noticeable bite over the a4wd. I should have taken some notes to share for a before and after but it feels to be a little better at 0 to 60 or it might just be the rear drops a lot more. It did have a easier time shifting under full acceleration. Right now Im just going to leave it cut. When I get some time to hunt in the junk yard I will hunt down a stock switch off of something to mount in the dash.

 

[Blackwater]

5.4s don’t have as much low end as I thought or it just might be this beast is so heavy! But with a little effort I was able to power brake and light them up! Just took 10,000 miles off the rear tires

 

[davesexplorer]

No the 2V 5.4's aren't exactly speed demons. Glad to hear it worked out for ya.

 

[Blackwater]

I hear ya! I would be surprised if I was able to break 90 mph! Lol I thought the 5.4 would have a better low end or more power at a lower rpm. As soon as the rpm came up there was no stopping the amount of time I could have sat there and burned them out for some time. She even broke loose to the right after letting of the brake about 15* fishtailed a little then put down a good 30-40 feet of rubber!

 

[gbecerra]

A while back I read a post that said to remove a "fuse" I believe, but I can't remember for sure. It was under the hood and after I did that it disengaged the automatic feature to engage the front tires when rear slipping is sensed. After that I was able to break it loose. I don't normally drive like that so I put the "fuse" or whatever it was back. This was a few years ago.

 

[firefighter407]

Anyone now if u can just change out the switch?

I went to the local wrecker and looked at both switchs and they look the same wiring colour code too. onl looks like an extra spot for 2wd.

 

[Blackwater]

Good point!

 

[Remo]

Anyone now if u can just change out the switch?

I went to the local wrecker and looked at both switchs and they look the same wiring colour code too. onl looks like an extra spot for 2wd.

Excellent question!

I have been wondering the exact same thing for quite some time.
I was never keen on the idea of actually cutting the wire, but I had often wondered about changing the switch to a 97-98 model switch.

If you do it, please let us know if it works. I am interested in doing the same.