FordExcursions.com Forums
Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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 Posted:12/20/2005 17:50 |
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I have a 2001 PSD Ex with four wheel drive. Last weekend I was goose hunting in eastern shore of Maryland. I was driving across a 200 acre corn field to get to a pit blind. The corn had been cut and there was pretty good stubble on the ground but it was still a little wet and muddy.
I put the truck in 4WD high range and went across the field. I bogged down a little bit going to the blind and when I came back from the blind I hit a muddy spot and it REALLY bogged down and I almost got stuck! When I got to the path I stopped I looked back and the place I got mired down really wasn't that bad! I have new Michelin tires and just figured those nice road tires were bad in the mud.
The next morning it dawned on me that maybe the 4WD didn't kick in (even tho the idiot light on the dash said it was in 4WD.) I found a slick spot on a path on a slight incline. I put it in reverse and spun the back tires. Then I put it in 4WD and moved to the same spot and put it in reverse....used the same amount of accelerator and it spun the back tires again. I opened the door, and repreated the same thing and neither front tires looked like they were engaged.
Last but not least, I then put it in 4WD low range and she shifted in low range, idiot light came on but again, still spinning the back tires...front wheels didn't seem to engage.
This is the first time I've had the Ex in the mud and either the 4WD isn't kicking in or Excursions just suck in the mud. IF that's the best she can do in a little mud (about half the depth of the tires) then I'm disappointed.
There was another guy out there in a Chevy late model 1/2 ton with a little wider, more aggressive tires than mine...and he wasn't slipping at all.
Thx.
Anyone have ideas?
Thx.
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/20/2005 21:10 |
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You could possibly have a vacuum leak preventing the front hubs from locking in.
Here's an Installation Article for upgraded ESOF lines that Eric put together recently 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:12/21/2005 09:55 |
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Hi Charles,
think it's possible your test wasn't exacly valid ?
Not saying you don't have an issue, just that the esof does take a few revolutions before it REALLY engages the 4 wheel up front...
maybe put it in 4x and roll a bit,
get in a bit ot mud or at least slippery something  ,
turn to the locks and see if the fronts throw out some mud when accelrating hard...
you could even lean out the drivers side to see the rear of the front tire to see if there's any wheel spin...
good luck...
and remember to engage the hubs manually periodically to ensure it goes from auto to lock ....
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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Posted:12/21/2005 10:38 |
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Eric,
I didnt think I could but when you posted that I went out and tried again and it worked! Argh. The reason I didn't know this because there is no notation on the hubs as to "LOCKED" or "UNLOCKED"...but I had some work done on the hub on left front and maybe the repair guy unlocked them and didn't tell me.
I'm gonna go try the 4WD at lunch and will post back..Duh. I hope this is what is the problem.
I DID try to turn them on the farm that day but I didn't put too much pressure on the hub, but today I moved them after your post and put them in the 'other' position..only turned 1/4 turn.
I'll let you know.
Thx.
Bob
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/21/2005 11:07 |
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You'll know if the 4x4 works when it's engaged try turning on dry surface while the vehicle is in motion the steering will be very restrictive but that's something you really don't wanna do 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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Charles Jackson
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 12/23/2003 |
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• 71 posts |
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Posted:12/21/2005 11:17 |
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YO! 
It helps to have the hubs locked when ya wanna be in 4WD huh. LOL...Damn works perfectly. Eric, like you said, I turned the hubs (which are NOT marked), put her in 4WD hi and turned in reverse for about 10 feet..OH yeah..she's in now...no doubt. DUH!
But in my defense, I never had the manual for the truck, and I guess the hubs were locked when I bought it and it always worked fine in 4WD, but when the guy did some work on my brakes and front end, for whatever reason, he unlocked them and didn't tell me. Maybe the alignment guy did it..who knows.
Since I don't like wrapping down on something that shows resistance, when I tried them gently before, they never moved so I assumed they were automatic or something..dunno..
ANYway, again this board has helped me out! Thx Much!
'01 X Limited w/PSD - STOCK all the way..and plan to stay that way. Pockets turned inside out with 4 kids! |
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:12/21/2005 14:12 |
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That's the best fix possible
NO fix
IIRC,
in my 05's manual it says that if you are stuck and turn it to 4x4,
it may not engage because it needs to roll a bit to engage.... but I may be incorrect - just going from mammary
I just know I leave mine in auto and I KNOW it goes into 4x4 when I switch the switch and roll a bit...
Having used 4x launches at the drag strip, I KNOW if it's not in 4x when I boost and launch...
tried just once in 4x2 and almost lost control the rear end spun and almost passed the front...
so I always put it in 4x4.... once I waited to late to switch over when stagging and KNOW the 4x lite was on, but when I launched @ 2k rpms I just sat there spinning....
my only explanation is that I didn't engage soon enough and it was not fully in 4x4.... 
**************************************
But wait.... I don't understand all I know bout this
if you have a dash switch -
doesn't that infer there should be an Auto and Lock setting on your hubs ?
so the dash switch should put u in 4x4 with EITHER setting on the hub....
correct ?
in one way you have the hubs locked ALL the time... (bad for mpg's )
and the other hubs are locked only when u switch the switch...
gotta do some research on this....
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo)
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/21/2005 14:21 |
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Charles,
You should have auto hubs on your Excursion. They are either in "Auto" or "Lock" mode. In "Auto" mode, the vacuum engages 4x4 automatically when you switch to 4x4 on the dash. Since 4x4 obviously works, you probably have a cracked vacuum line. Take a look at the above link that Bill posted to the braided line install. This will help you locate your current lines and then you can inspect them to see if the rubber lines are brittle/cracked/etc.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Douglas Dircks
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• New Richland, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 11/13/2003 |
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• 118 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:12/21/2005 21:18 |
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I've had a lot of problems with Ford 4x4 systems.
The first problem was on my old daily driver a 99 F150 4.6, at 35,500 the truck got stuck in four low, had to drive 25 mph to the dealership were it was fixed under warranty, replaced the 4x4 motor I guess, traded truck off 10K miles later.
Two years ago my 4x4 problems started with the 99 F250 7.3 at 150K miles. This problem is the opposite of the F150 as the truck won't engage into four low, it grinds and bangs while trying to engage into it while in neutral. I'm sure it's an air leak but since four high works I'll worry about it when that goes out too. Last summer one of my factory lock outs fell off and the other side stopped working, replaced with Warns. $420 quoted from Ford to fix the problem!
The X's 4x4 system has been working good this winter but last winter I had to go out and turn the hubs a few times to engage the system.
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 PSD 265/75/16 Ravo's Centerline rims Python 871XP
99 F250 x-cab short bed XLT 4x4 PSD 295/75/16 American Racing rims Viper 550 ESP stainless steel MAAP nerf bars Putco four piece grill inserts bumper poles and mud flaps air bags triple pillar pod Autometer Ultra Light fiberglass tannue cover and topper programmed pcm pulling 22 psi
99 F350 crew cab long bed drw Lariat 4x4 PSD 255/85/16 Python 871XP AIS fold down fifth wheel ball |
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