Question about awd

[Country Boy]

I have a 2001 expedition and i want to do away with the awd if possible. Has anybody had any luck in bypassing the awd and making it a 2wd and 4wd the with out buying a new transfer case and front diff?

 

[tonydiv]

Search for 'brown wire mod'

I think that's what you're looking for.

 

[Country Boy]

This may sound stupid but, Whats the brown wire mod?

 

[FordandPolaris]

Basically you put a switch on the wire that runs the A4WD off of the transfer case. This allows you to have a 2wd function as well as the A4WD. The 97-98 models had the 2H option but then for some silly reason they did away with it from 99-02. What we do with my mom's truck is just pull the fuse under the hood for the transfer case. This deactivates the magnetic clutch that runs the A4WD and essentially gives you 2WD at that point. Only pain is that if you do need 4x4, you have to put that fuse back in.

Google brown wire mod, there is plenty out there if you are going that route.

 

[bcmaxx]

Yuppers brown wire mod. I accessed it in passenger footwell harness.

 

[tonydiv]

This may sound stupid but, Whats the brown wire mod?

That's why I suggested to search for it.

 

[Country Boy]

Ok thanks ill look it up and give it a shot

 

[Country Boy]

What fuse would i need to pull to go that route?

 

[FordandPolaris]

Can't remember which one, it would say in the owners manual.

 

[Country Boy]

Dont have a owners manual but i done the brown wire mod and love it. I have 2wda and still have 4hi and 4lo. It does work if anybody whats to try it and dont seem to affect the handling.

 

[toms89]

A4wd differs from AWD in function.

AWD generally refers to All Wheel Drive which is designed to deliver power to all 4 wheels at all times. These generally have some sort of differential between the front and rear axles to allow for difference in speed between them during turns and normal driving. Total of 3 differentials, front, rear, center.

A4wd is Automatic 4 wheel drive on demand. These run in 2wd mode unless slip is detected at the rear wheels then it engages 4wd only on demand via a clutch in the transfer case. This system is not designed to run in 4wd mode on dry pavement or high traction conditions. There is no differential between the front and rear axles so when the transfer case clutch is engaged the front and rear axles must spin at the same rate. The drivetrain will bind up noticable if 4wd is engaged while turning on pavement due to the difference in distance traveled between the front and rear wheels.

These two systems differ dramatically in design and function.

In short.... the first generation expeditions are running in 2wd unless the gem module detects slip while in A4wd.

The brown wire mod or removing the fuse simply keeps the gem from engaging the clutch when/if wheel slip is detected.

 

[diablood5]

so if the brown wire mod is done is there any risk of damage and whats the pros and cons of doing it,,, in short whats the point of it?