Why 4A is your Ford's friend

[Champale]

It is

Ok awesome thank you.

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[LSW]

F-150 in this video example, but I would imagine the functionality of the advanced transfer case is the same for the Bronco.

" For all of those that questioned me. Yes the transfer case spins the front driveshaft and front axle even in 2H on newer Ford Trucks. Here is how it looks from underneath. Yes I am looking at you Ed Hegarty Ford Motor Company #ford #fordtrucks #4wd #2wd #herewego #goodtimes #prettysimple #automotive #shoplife #mechanic #watchandlearn #bsgautomotive "

"The torque on demand transfer cases are spinning the front drive shaft, the differntial, and the pinion, carrier, and these (CV) shafts all the time, even in two-wheel drive high".

Therefore, it would seem, if you have the Advanced 4A trasnfer case no extra wear would be incurred by running 4A compared to 2H. Would there be extra wear in 2H and 4A compared to the vehicles without the advanced trasfer case running 2H? Maybe, IDK, but it seems yes. I compensate by changing out the transfer case and differential fluids at 3k, 10k, and then will do it every 30k miles after.

 

[Ape Factory]

I use 4A fairly frequently in the Braptor as the rear end will break loose easily when I'm trying to punch out of those off camber corners at WOT. All kidding aside, I've been a Quattro guy for some time which is essentially a "4A" AWD car with a clutch (crown) center differential. Always surprised at how well the Bronco rotates, even in 4A. I don't think it reacts nearly as quickly as the Audi setups but it isn't bad. The feel is decent IMO but it likely comes down to tires and suspension settings and not so much the "fluidity" of power transfer to the appropriate wheel.

Are there any technical papers on the center transfer case that I can read up on? Curious on what type it is and the mechanisms used. I changed the fluids on mine preemptively at 15K just because.

 

[Ducati1098]

F-150 in this video example, but I would imagine the functionality of the advanced transfer case is the same for the Bronco.

" For all of those that questioned me. Yes the transfer case spins the front driveshaft and front axle even in 2H on newer Ford Trucks. Here is how it looks from underneath. Yes I am looking at you Ed Hegarty Ford Motor Company #ford #fordtrucks #4wd #2wd #herewego #goodtimes #prettysimple #automotive #shoplife #mechanic #watchandlearn #bsgautomotive "

"The torque on demand transfer cases are spinning the front drive shaft, the differntial, and the pinion, carrier, and these (CV) shafts all the time, even in two-wheel drive high".

Therefore, it would seem no extra wear would be incurred by running 4A. Extra wear compared to the vehicles without the advanced trasfer case? Maybe, IDK.

Pretty sure this video was in response to him claiming the front drive shaft, differential and halfshafts constantly turning was causing damage to the front axle assemblies, which is a complete load of shit. Dude makes up a lot of crap for views. He’s a clown lol

 

[LSW]

Pretty sure this video was in response to him claiming the front drive shaft, differential and halfshafts constantly turning was causing damage to the front axle assemblies, which is a complete load of shit. Dude makes up a lot of crap for views. He’s a clown lol

Yeah, I realized after watching he was claiming the way 4A operates is causing damage, but at least it illustrates that there doesn't seem to be a difference between 2H and 4A with the advanced transfer case in nominal operation (dry pavement, normal driving), I guess.

 

[Andrew Bynum]

Literally contradicting your previous statement?
Regardless, just because you have binding in 4A, doesn’t mean it was caused by using 4A.

Not a contradiction. Like I said, binding happens when I use 4A even after switching to 2H. Binding does not happen when 4A is not used during a start cycle. I’ve got about 70k miles with this vehicle, so I have some idea about how it behaves. Again, like I said, there are no problems with binding until 4A is engaged. I’m sure the problem is somewhere in the windshield wipers, though.

 

[Ducati1098]

Not a contradiction. Like I said, binding happens when I use 4A even after switching to 2H. Binding does not happen when 4A is not used during a start cycle. I’ve got about 70k miles with this vehicle, so I have some idea about how it behaves. Again, like I said, there are no problems with binding until 4A is engaged. I’m sure the problem is somewhere in the windshield wipers, though.

Sounds like maybe you have an issue with the shift motor then. Still fail to see how that was an issue caused by using 4A

 

[gwp]

I’d like to see a technical overview of exactly how the trans case engages and disengages the front shaft selectively and preemptively, and how variations in shaft speeds are achieved. Exactly what type of clutching is used, and what variations in torque split are allowed? Anyone have this?

Also, it’s my (odd) impression that 4A does not work in reverse. It certainly didn’t help me back my Bronco up a slippery driveway. The front axle remained disengaged. I needed 4H to make the truck move. This seems so weird that I find it hard to believe except for my experience. Can anyone validate this?

For the record, I use 2H exclusively on pavement, and have no Sport mode in my Badlands. (With a manual, I think the GOAT modes are a waste of time anyway, as they mostly deal with auto trans shift points and throttle sensitivity)

 

[crenca]

Also, it’s my (odd) impression that 4A does not work in reverse.....This seems so weird that I find it hard to believe except for my experience. Can anyone validate this?

My experience using 4A off road sure seems to confirm this. A handful of times I've had to accomplish a tight turnaround in sand and found myself digging in in reverse, forcing a switch to 4H/4L to get torque to both axles in reverse. I don't find it odd however, given that reversing almost always involves high angle steering inputs so differentiation is preferred.

 

[Ducati1098]

I’d like to see a technical overview of exactly how the trans case engages and disengages the front shaft selectively and preemptively, and how variations in shaft speeds are achieved. Exactly what type of clutching is used, and what variations in torque split are allowed? Anyone have this?

Also, it’s my (odd) impression that 4A does not work in reverse. It certainly didn’t help me back my Bronco up a slippery driveway. The front axle remained disengaged. I needed 4H to make the truck move. This seems so weird that I find it hard to believe except for my experience. Can anyone validate this?

For the record, I use 2H exclusively on pavement, and have no Sport mode in my Badlands. (With a manual, I think the GOAT modes are a waste of time anyway, as they mostly deal with auto trans shift points and throttle sensitivity)

All this has been posted numerous times in various different/similar 4A threads.
It uses an electronically controlled high torque capacity clutch controlled by duty cycle. It does not work in reverse. When the duty cycle of the clutch is at 0 ( like in reverse) it operates the same as 2H

 

[AZ_Craig]

Literally haven’t experienced this.

Try flooring it in a down pour while turning left and see what happens .

 

[gwp]

All this has been posted numerous times in various different similar 4A threads.
It uses an electronically controlled high torque capacity clutch controlled by duty cycle. It does not work in reverse. When the duty cycle of the clutch is at 0 ( like in reverse) it operates the same as 2H

Thanks. Do you know how much variation in torque split is allowed? Can it, for example, provide 80% of the torque to the front or rear wheels on demand?

 

[Ducati1098]

Thanks. Do you know how much variation in torque split is allowed? Can it, for example, provide 80% of the torque to the front or rear wheels on demand?

It’s continuously varying based on input. But when commanded 100% it’s 50/50

 

[sonofhammer]

Literally haven’t experienced this.

Try a hard acceleration on a let turn next time it rains. I slide around corners in mine all the time. Those KO2's don't like rain at all.

 

[Smocaine]

I love Robert's videos - he's a bit on the dry site, but informative.
Something he mentioned is something I rarely see in the 4A threads - the 4A clutches will also smooth out your downshifts on a manual.
I tend to only use 2H until the weather gets real bad, then I'll consider my 4A safety blanket.
I would not miss it terribly if I didn't have it, but the "Advanced" t-case is the one with the big 3-to-1 gears, so I was gonna get it either way.

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