Newbie 4x4 question: Intelligent vs. Automatic 4X4

[GEIR T EIDE]

New here, so apologies if this is a answered elsewhere.

I'm looking at buying a 2020 4X4 Expedition. Based on the specs Ford's website, without the FX4 package, you get "Intelligent 4WD". With FX4, you get "Two-Speed Automatic 4WD". I get the two-speed part (adds low range), but what's the difference between "intelligent" and "automatic"?

I like the overall appeal of the FX4, but I'm also looking for whatever is best on snow/ice.

 

[Vicious]

Interested in the answer too

 

[Backinblack]

I purchased a regular 4x4 as I could not find a 2018 black FX4 in my area. My Expedition has two indicators 2H and 4A, the 4A - 4x4 Auto provides electronic controlled four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front and rear wheels as required (traditional all wheel drive). The FX4 has four indicators with the addition of 4H and 4L which provides electronically locked four wheel drive, much more like a F150 pickup truck would have.

Note: When I select Mud/Rut and Sand driving mode the 4A indicator remains on but with more aggressive tuning which provides electronically locked four wheel drive power to the front and rear wheels, the same as traditional 4H. There is no way to get 4L in a regular 4x4.

I did like the skid plates that come on the FX4 and purchased them from Ford with the hardware for $500, was an easy mod.
I don't tow so I don't miss the HD radiator but the more aggressive rear end gears might have been nice on the trails although I can't complain about my gas mileage, 18 with the regular rear end gearing.

All in all I would have bought a FX4 if I found a black one but I am very happy with mine the way it turned out.
Additional Note: The Michelins that came on mine were not true All Terrain tires like the window sticker said and I had to push the dealer to get the proper tires and they made a big difference in the snow.

 

[dlcorbett]

New here, so apologies if this is a answered elsewhere.

I'm looking at buying a 2020 4X4 Expedition. Based on the specs Ford's website, without the FX4 package, you get "Intelligent 4WD". With FX4, you get "Two-Speed Automatic 4WD". I get the two-speed part (adds low range), but what's the difference between "intelligent" and "automatic"?

I like the overall appeal of the FX4, but I'm also looking for whatever is best on snow/ice.

Im sure the intelligent 4wd refers to the 4wd adjusting to the selectable drive modes.

 

[lobsenza]

Ford has 2 4x4 versions: one with 4 low and the other without it. The version without 4 low may not allow locking in 4x4 hi, just 4x4 auto.

 

[shane_th_ee]

The FX4 has four indicators with the addition of 4H and 4L.

Additional Note: The Michelins that came on mine were not true All Terrain tires like the window sticker said and I had to push the dealer to get the proper tires and they made a big difference in the snow.

The FX4 does not have a 4H button. The 4th button locks the rear differential. And I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one able to get better tires out of Ford. My FX4 came with those same highway all-season michelins.

 

[JExpedition07]

It used to be 2WD or Control Trac 2 speed 4WD on the 3rd generation. Now they have 2WD, intelligent 4WD, and 2 speed 4WD. If you do any amount of off roading or dirt roads get the 2 Speed 4WD with low range. On my older expy if you checked the 4WD box you got 2H,4A,4H, and 4L modes. They cheapened up on the standard transfer case and you only get half of that now for checking 4x4. To get the whole package you can go FX4 or specify 2 speed now for 2020 I believe. Before you needed HD tow. Now you can get an e-LSD on top of that which is like the cherry on top of the milkshake. So they did lame out the 4x4 system a bit but also cooli-fied it with the e-lsd option.

 

[GEIR T EIDE]

Thanks everybody for the responses. This is all very useful.

Really what I wanted to understand if where is any downside to the 2-speed 4WD offered with the FX4 (other than cost).

In the description of the intelligent 4WD, they use AWD-like terms like "distribute torque according to road conditions". Is the 2-speed any "less smart" in terms of dealing with varying snow/ice (in that that they call the 2-speed 4WD "automatic" and not "intelligent"), or did they just run out of words in the brochure....

 

[JExpedition07]

Thanks everybody for the responses. This is all very useful.

Really what I wanted to understand if where is any downside to the 2-speed 4WD offered with the FX4 (other than cost).

In the description of the intelligent 4WD, they use AWD-like terms like "distribute torque according to road conditions". Is the 2-speed any "less smart" in terms of dealing with varying snow/ice (in that that they call the 2-speed 4WD "automatic" and not "intelligent"), or did they just run out of words in the brochure....

No, it still has all the traction sensing capabilities. You can still set it to 4Auto and it will do the work. However regular 4X4 modes are much better when the going gets rough in deep snow or mud. Hence why the 2 speed T-case is (opinion) superior.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Thanks everybody for the responses. This is all very useful.

Really what I wanted to understand if where is any downside to the 2-speed 4WD offered with the FX4 (other than cost).

It's more complex to use. The "intelligent 4WD" is, essentially, marketing speak for "all wheel drive". Just put it in 4A and drive, like you would a Subaru or a Sienna. The FX4 on the other hand has an "all wheel drive" mode, but it also has buttons for 4L and to lock the rear differential. And the center differential can lock itself in 4H or 4L. And those drive modes now change the way the e-LSD and center differential engage and distribute power... If you go watch the TFL Truck videos of the Armada and the Expedition FX4, the driver has no problem tackling an obstacle in the Armada which is all wheel drive. He struggles in the Expedition, however, because he has no idea how the drive modes and locking rear differential work. And, since he doesn't know how they work, he uses them incorrectly and the truck doesn't do what he wants it to do.

Now, all that said, if you decide you want the 2 speed transfer case and locking rear differential, they're not limited to the FX4. You get those with any option combination that includes the heavy duty towing package and four wheel drive.

 

[Rancidlunchmeat]

And the center differential can lock itself in 4H or 4L.

How does that happen? In 4A, how is the center differential going to lock? Traction management will do it automagically?

 

[Plati]

https://patents.google.com/patent/US5485894A/en?oq=5485894

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ControlTrac

 

[Lukewang01]

I think with the FX4 when you select 4A it only locks the front hub and reads data off of the front axle, it only engages the multi-clutch transfer case when it thinks you are needing traction. It's different from the 4H we used to know that engages the transfer case all the time. I think FX4 can engage different number of clutches to have the effect of distributing power. Also according to Ford they say with this transfer case it can reduce driveline binding when driving in 4A than other vehicle driving in 4H.

 

[shane_th_ee]

How does that happen? In 4A, how is the center differential going to lock? Traction management will do it automagically?

Yep. You can watch Mr. Sticker's video for the gory details, but the center differential contains a clutch pack controlled by the vehicle's traction management software.