How to Make a 2004 FX4 Level 1 to FX4 Level 2... Simplified Please, already Confused

[hlenhart]

Thx U otis413 , for a Real answer to my question about free wheeling....
but I still would like to find REAL info on FX4 Level 1 vs Level 2, i spent Most of the day on it, seems I can't get a straight Answer on it, even from FORD

 

[hlenhart]

THX U, Ron D

 

[Otis413]

I much prefer the "live" front end over man or auto hubs, shift on the fly is nice!

 

[Curious Hound]

I much prefer the "live" front end over man or auto hubs, shift on the fly is nice!

It does have advantages and the rotating mass is negligible concerning fuel mileage. But those of us with lockers or limited slip front diffs really benefit from being able to unlock one or both front hubs.

 

[Otis413]

In '04 it was called "FX4 off road" rather then FX4 Level II, and the Thorsen dif wasn't a standard option. I'm not sure without looking it up if it was an option.. The Off Road package had skid plates and 4.10:1 gears if I remember right, everything else was a special order option. (again, if I remember right..)

 

[Otis413]

It does have advantages and the rotating mass is negligible concerning fuel mileage. But those of us with lockers or limited slip front diffs really benefit from being able to unlock one or both front hubs.

That's true! Personally, if I were going that far, I'd do the solid axle conversion. But not everybody has the tools, money and time to do that..

 

[RonD]

Look at the 2004 Ranger Brochure, clear as day for what the Level II had that FX4 off-road didn't have in that year
Just follow the "dots", lol

 

[Dirtman]

It does have advantages and the rotating mass is negligible concerning fuel mileage. But those of us with lockers or limited slip front diffs really benefit from being able to unlock one or both front hubs.

I always imagined trying to drive on the street with live axles and a locker up front would be the equivalent of trying to steer a tank through an F1 road course...

 

[Otis413]

I remember "back in the day" the guys at 4x4 & off road magazine tried putting a locker in the front of a 70s full time 4 wheel drive Dodge pickup.... How'd that turn out??? Not to good...

 

[hlenhart]

im startin to Realize I been searchin for every 2004 FX4 for a Year & FX4 doesn't Really mean Anything, besides being a Normal 4x4 with only 2 wheels out of 4 spinning .. thought i did my research, at least I got a Perfectly Cherry truck with a Trailer Hitch, ... if u saw 2004 engine compartment, u'd swear it was only 3 years old

 

[Uncle Gump]

The next thing you should read up on is the 4.0L SOHC... the early years had trouble with the timing chain tensioners and guides. If one of those lets go... it will not make you happy.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That said... I like my 4.0L sohc... highest output in both torque and horse power in any Ranger.

Just keep up maintenance and don't drive it like you stole it.

Great engine...

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^ Uncle Gump

Plan on changing the 2 long chain tensioners within the next few months, not hard to do
Use Motorcraft only tensioners
Do this every 100k miles

 

[Dirtman]

Now if you wanna talk about dumb ideas Ford has come up with, putting a timing chain on the back of the engine pretty much takes the cake.

 

[RonD]

No, I think all automakers lost the plot when they change to overhead valves, flathead engines were WAY easier to work on
Fords flathead V8 was 110HP, who needs more power than that
Its all the "go faster" young "pups" that have ruined things, OHV was only reason for a timing chain to begin with

Then they have DOHC with timing chains longer than my.........well long ones
Only thing good I see on the horizon is electric valves, so back to the simplicity of NO timing chains