2001 Ford 4x4 Operations

The following information is for educational purposes only.  It's content is limited and subject to change without notice.  It should not be relied upon.  Contact us for a complete list of up to date specifications on 4x4 operations.

 4x4 System Availability 

S = Standard
O = Optional
— = Not available
(1) Available on F-250/350 4x4 models only.

Manual Shift with Manual-locking Hubs

Standard on Super Duty F-250 - 550 4x4 models Used in 4x4 applications since the 1950s and is highly regarded by serious off-roaders This system is activated using a floor-mounted transfer case shift lever To engage the front axle, the operator must stop, exit the vehicle and rotate both hublock selector knobs to the LOCK position This engages a cam-and-spring mechanism that connects the hub to the axle shaft When returned to the FREE position, the front-drive axle components do not turn while driving This reduces frictional drag and wear on the front axle components Many 4x4 owners consider manual-locking hubs to be the most reliable design because of their simplicity

Super Duty 4x4 Manual Shift Lever

Super Duty Manual-locking Front Hub

Manual Shift-on-the-fly

Standard on F-150 4x4 models The transfer case is engaged manually using a floor-mounted transfer case shift lever There is no need to manually engage the front hubs; a sliding collar in the front axle called a center disconnect will automatically engage after the transfer case lever is shifted At temperatures below 32°F, shifts from 2H (4x2) to 4H (4x4 High) should not be performed above 45 mph Manual transfer case includes a Neutral position that overrides the transmission and puts the vehicle in Neutral regardless of transmission gearshift lever location 4WD HIGH can be engaged at any speed up to 55 mph

F-150 Manual Shift Transfer Case Lever

Electric Shift-on-the-fly Standard on Ranger 4x4 models Available on F-150 4x4 models Available on Super Duty F-250/350 4x4 models

Ranger and F-150 Electric shift 4x4 systems are activated using a 3-position rotary switch on the instrument panel Essentially, the electric shift 4x4 system is the same as the manual shift system, except an electric motor shifts the transfer case instead of a lever-operated mechanism On F-150s equipped with the electric shift, an electromagnetic clutch is used to spin up the front drive system from 0 mph to vehicle speed. When the transfer case front and rear output shafts are synchronized, the spring-loaded lockup collar mechanically engages the mainshaft hub to the drive sprocket and the electromagnetic clutch is then deactivated. A sliding collar in the front axle called a center disconnect will also engage the front driveline 4WD High can be engaged at any speed up to 55 mph On F-150s at temperatures below 32°F, shifts from 4x2 or 2H (two-wheel drive High) to 4x4 HIGH or 4H (four-wheel drive high) should not be performed above 45 mph

Ranger Rotary Switch

F-150 Rotary Switch

Super Duty F-250/350

Super Duty F-250/350 models equipped with the available electric shift 4x4 system feature Pulse Vacuum Hublocks (PVH) The PVH system allows for synchronous hublock engagement when the customer shifts on the fly. This provides for virtually silent 4x4 engagements and disengagements The PVH system can be disengaged from the cab of the vehicle by shifting from 4x4 High (four-wheel drive high) to 4x2 (two-wheel drive) at any forward speed There are no shift delays in cold weather This system optimizes fuel economy because all front driveline components are disconnected at the wheels in 4x2 mode 4x2 mode noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is optimized because the front driveline is static Super Duty F-250/350 models feature manual override capability. This permits the driver to lock the front hubs at the front wheels if preferred

Super Duty F-250/350 Rotary Switch

Super Duty F-250/350 Automatic-locking Front Hub with Manual Override

2001 Ford 4x4 Operations

The following information is for educational purposes only.  It's content is limited and subject to change without notice.  It should not be relied upon.  Contact us for a complete list of up to date specifications on 4x4 operations.

 Front-drive Axles 

Today's wide range of 4x4 systems offers numerous front-drive axle configurations. Ford trucks use two types:

Monobeam Used on all 2001 Super Duty 4x4 models A traditional design that uses a conventional tube axle with steering knuckles mounted at each end

Short- and Long-Arm (SLA) Independent Used on F-150 and Ranger models Differential assembly is mounted to the front frame Equal-length halfshafts transmit power to the front wheels

2001 Ford 4x4 Operations

The following information is for educational purposes only.  It's content is limited and subject to change without notice.  It should not be relied upon.  Contact us for a complete list of up to date specifications on 4x4 operations.

 4x4 Operation 

All Ford Truck 4x4 systems feature a transfer case positioned behind the transmission. This transfer case has the ability to split engine torque, sending it back to the rear wheels and forward to the front wheels. Ford Truck systems are part-time, meaning that their normal mode of operation is two-wheel drive (with power flowing to the rear wheels). All four wheels receive power only when the driver engages the four-wheel drive mode.

Ford Truck 4x4 systems include a 2-speed transfer case. This feature gives the transfer case added capabilities that signi-ficantly increase the amount of torque delivered to all four driving wheels - a must for off-road driving. The functions of a typical 2-speed transfer case are as follows:

In the 2WD position, the input transfer gear is disengaged, sending engine torque only to the rear wheels. This mode delivers normal traction and optimum fuel economy In the 4x4 HIGH position, the input transfer gear is locked to the input shaft, and power flows to both front and rear axles. This mode provides extra traction at all speeds In the 4x4 LOW position, the planetary gearset is locked, resulting in approximately a 2.5:1 gear reduction ratio. When engaged, the engine is often running at over twice its normal speed for a given mph, and this provides a tremendous amount of power for negotiating off-highway trails, slick boat ramps or whenever huge amounts of torque are called for The lever-operated transfer case available on F-Series also has a Neutral position, used when towing the vehicle, such as behind a motorhome or tow truck. Consult the Owner's Guide for specific instructions and restrictions when towing any vehicle

2001 Ford 4x4 Operations

The following information is for educational purposes only.  It's content is limited and subject to change without notice.  It should not be relied upon.  Contact us for a complete list of up to date specifications on 4x4 operations.

 Manual 4x4 Operation/Demonstration 

Manual Transfer Case/Shift-on-the-fly (F-150, Super Duty F-250-550 4x4 models)(1)

How to shift from 4x2 High to 4x4 High Move the transfer case lever to 4x4 HIGH at a stop or any forward speed up to 55 mph. On F-150, at temperatures below 32F, shifts from two-wheel drive high to 4x4 high should not be performed above 45 mph. On Super Duty models, engage the locking hubs by rotating the hublock control from FREE to LOCK, then move the transfer case lever to 4H (4x4 HIGH). Do not shift into 4H (4x4 HIGH) with the wheels slipping

How to shift from 4x4 high to 4x2 high With F-150, move the transfer case lever to 4x2 at a stop or any forward speed up to 55 mph. With F-Series Super Duty, move the transfer case lever to 2H (4x2), at a stop or any forward speed up to 55 mph. With the vehicle at a complete stop, disengage the locking hubs by rotating the hublock control from LOCK to FREE

How to shift from 4x2 High to 4x4 Low Bring the vehicle to a complete stop Depress the brake Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress the clutch (manual transmission) Pull the transfer case shift lever through N (Neutral) directly to 4x4 Low

(1) Super Duty F-250 - 550 shift pattern shown. F-150 pattern is slightly different.

2001 Ford 4x4 Operations

The following information is for educational purposes only.  It's content is limited and subject to change without notice.  It should not be relied upon.  Contact us for a complete list of up to date specifications on 4x4 operations.

 Electric Shift 4x4 Operation/Demonstration 

Electric Shift-on-the-fly (Ranger, F-150, Super Duty F-250/350 4x4 Models)(1)

How to shift from 2WD to 4x4 High Move the rotary control to 4x4 High from 4x2 at a stop or at speeds up to 55 mph. (Note: Do not shift into 4x4 with rear wheels slipping.) With Ranger and F-150, at temperatures below 32F, shifts from 2H (two-wheel drive) to 4H (4x4 High) should not be performed above 45 mph

How to shift from 4x4 HIGH to 2WD Move the rotary control to 4x2 at any forward speed. There is no need to drive in Reverse to unlock

How to shift between 4x4 HIGH and 4x4 LOW Bring the vehicle to a complete stop Depress the brake Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress the clutch (manual transmission) Move the rotary control to the 4x4 HIGH or 4x4 LOW position

(1) Super Duty F-250/350 rotary dial shown. Ranger and F-150 dials are slightly different.

2001 Ford 4x4 Operations

The following information is for educational purposes only.  It's content is limited and subject to change without notice.  It should not be relied upon.  Contact us for a complete list of up to date specifications on 4x4 operations.

 Basic Operational Precautions 

On Dry Pavement

All Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty F-250 - 550 4x4 models feature part-time 4x4 systems. Operating these part-time systems in four-wheel drive on dry pavement could result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case, increased tire wear and decreased fuel economy. These part-time 4x4 systems are designed to provide enhanced traction on lower-friction surfaces such as gravel, snow, ice, dirt, wet pavement and off-highway road or trail surfaces.