How common were 2002 FX4's with 5R55W & shift-on-the-fly 4x4?

[02FX4]

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think they were more common then the manual trans... manual t-case versions.

I had one in silver when they first came out.

 

[00t444e]

The electric and manual shift are both shift on the fly. The manual shift is better though.

 

[RonD]

5R55E was in all 4.0l Rangers 1997/8 and up, 2WD or 4WD
5R55W was first used in 1999 Fords and in Rangers starting in 2001/2

"Shift in the fly" means front and rear drive shafts have matching RPMs, which would always be the case in 2001-2011 4WDs because of Live Axle, always locked front hubs
In previous years the transfer case had/used an electric clutch to RPM match drive shafts
So all Ranger 4x4s had "shift on the fly"

Now manual transfer case Rangers, 2000 and earlier, would usually come with Manual locking hubs as well
The thinking here is that a driver would have the front hubs Locked, BEFORE selecting 4WD on the manual shifter, so RPMs would already be matched
Because there really is no advantage shifting transfer case to 4WD if front wheels are unlocked, lol

 

[gw33gp]

Neither the automatic nor manual 02 FX4 were common. There were definitely more automatics than manual 02 FX4's though. When I was looking for a new 02 FX4, it was more difficult to find one with a manual transmission. The 02 FX4 and 03 FX4 L2 with manual transmission also had the manual shift transfer case and they were still shift-on-the-fly.

Shift-on-the-fly is only for high range. Shifting to low range requires stopping but could be done by almost stopping with the manual transfer case. Actually, shifting to low range could be done with the manual shift transfer case without being nearly stopped but the transfer case could be damaged if it was not done exactly right.

 

[02FX4]

Neither the automatic nor manual 02 FX4 were common. There were definitely more automatics than manual 02 FX4's though. When I was looking for a new 02 FX4, it was more difficult to find one with a manual transmission. The 02 FX4 and 03 FX4 L2 with manual transmission also had the manual shift transfer case and they were still shift-on-the-fly.

Shift-on-the-fly is only for high range. Shifting to low range requires stopping but could be done by almost stopping with the manual transfer case. Actually, shifting to low range could be done with the manual shift transfer case without being nearly stopped but the transfer case could be damaged if it was not done exactly right.

Yeah, everything I've read on the Ford options checklist for the 2002 FX4 seemed to suggest that the manual trans was standard equipment and the automatic was the optional trans, so without seeing the actual Ford production numbers of each I really can't tell.

 

[02FX4]

The electric and manual shift are both shift on the fly. The manual shift is better though.

That's what I've heard, but this truck alays operates flawlessly going back and forth between 2 and 4 wheel drive. I would think that if one wants to convert this truck to a rock crawler, the automatic would be the way to go?
But I really couldn't say which one an experienced rock crawling off-roader would prefer?

 

[02FX4]

The electric and manual shift are both shift on the fly. The manual shift is better though.

Yeah, I meant to say "Electric shift-on-the-fly"

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

But I really couldn't say which one an experienced rock crawling off-roader would prefer?

Might as well ask what kind of engine oil is the best while you are at it...

 

[02FX4]

Might as well ask what kind of engine oil is the best while you are at it...

Lol, yeah no kidding.

 

[gw33gp]

An automatic makes it much easier to rock crawl. With a manual it requires having to slip the clutch sometimes while moderate rock crawling. With extreme rock crawling you would need extremely low gears to keep from burning out the clutch.

I still like my manual transmission with manual transfer case. I have learned to do moderate rock crawling over short distances without hurting the clutch.