4404 question

[neilk]

I just put a V8 in my 98 truck with a 4404 xfer case, my truck has vacuum hubs on it and was wondering if it would hurt the case to run the hubs unlocked. One thing I did find out is that if the hubs are unlocked and you park on a hill the truck will slowly roll, with the hubs locked solid as a rock, doesn't move. I am still in the debating stage as to wether or not I want to change it to a part time case...Neil

 

[AllanD]

The 44-04 5.0 Explorer AWD T-case is RIGIDLY connected to the rear wheels.
The Viscous coupling is in the power path to the front wheels to prevent driveshaft windup when cornering.

So in direct answer to your question having your hubs "unlocked" won't bother the T-case a bit.

However if you are driving a viscous coupling AWD system without powering the front wheels you are denying yourself the benefit of the system.

To be honest if I built a 98up Ranger with a 5.0 and an AWD 44-04 I'd swap in explorer steering knuckles to eliminate the Pulse vacuum hubs.

If they aren't there they can't break.

AD

 

[neilk]

I plan on switching the axles and hubs just one of those things I haven't got to yet,,Neil

 

[gimp]

sorry to hijack the thread... but AllanD; you're saying that with no power leaving the front output actually going to anything, will not hurt anything?

I've heard/read that it can destroy the viscous coupling, but have not been able to find any definitive answers. Hard to find much info on these t-cases

 

[bobbywalter]

unless you want an awd truck sell it and put a real t case in there.


then again if your staying sla and going to the fulltime front it may be better to leave it, at least till you want to go 4 wheeling, then you will want a real case.

you can use the advanced adaper kit to put a 1350...or your old case back in...its like 3-400 bux. i like the 208 though. but with sla you will have to make it work.

 

[neilk]

just FYI, I know for a fact that if the front isn't locked the truck will drift when in park on a hill, so what does that tell me? It tells me that there is more going on in there then a direct path to the rear because if that was true it wouldn't drift....Neil

 

[gimp]

just FYI, I know for a fact that if the front isn't locked the truck will drift when in park on a hill, so what does that tell me? It tells me that there is more going on in there then a direct path to the rear because if that was true it wouldn't drift....Neil

output is split, I believe 35/65 front/rear.
so with the front output not going to anything (no front d-shaft, hubs unlocked), you only have 65% holding force.

 

[AllanD]

sorry to hijack the thread... but AllanD; you're saying that with no power leaving the front output actually going to anything, will not hurt anything?

I've heard/read that it can destroy the viscous coupling, but have not been able to find any definitive answers. Hard to find much info on these t-cases

Apparrently there are two versions of the Explorer AWD T-case.

One where the power path to the rear is steel on steel and another where the viscous coupling "splits the power"

The one I've seen apart had a coupling at the bottom of the chain., the case was apart and the coupling was "blown"
so I could have gotten a bad explanation....

I'm no sure how you'd tell without the "Test" of putting the truck in park with the hubs unlocked.
OR without taking the T-case apart.

I have one of those cases here and I guess I'm going to have to tear into it to see what's what.

MEanwhile I'd probably leave it locked up.

I have traction trouble with my 4.0 anger supercab, I don't imagine things get any better with another 65ft/lb of torque.

AD

 

[gimp]

Apparrently there are two versions of the Explorer AWD T-case.

One where the power path to the rear is steel on steel and another where the viscous coupling "splits the power"

The one I've seen apart had a coupling at the bottom of the chain., the case was apart and the coupling was "blown"
so I could have gotten a bad explanation....

I'm no sure how you'd tell without the "Test" of putting the truck in park with the hubs unlocked.
OR without taking the T-case apart.

I have one of those cases here and I guess I'm going to have to tear into it to see what's what.

MEanwhile I'd probably leave it locked up.

I have traction trouble with my 4.0 anger supercab, I don't imagine things get any better with another 65ft/lb of torque.

AD

thanks for the info Allan
I've had the front d-shaft on my Sploder disconnected for quite some time for various reasons... was hoping I wouldn't have to even think about replacing that viscous coupling, since it costs over $300.

edit: they used a BW4405 (I believe) behind the 4.6L V8 Sploders, which is another AWD t-case. Not sure of all the differences, though.

 

[neilk]

well I think I just destroyed my 4404 on my way home from work this morning, I was going up a hill and had to shift down to third and all of a sudden my drive went away, no big bang, and have an awfull grinding noise from the transfercase area, when I shift gears the grinding speeds up so it sounds like the transfercase couldn't take the 302 with the Mazda 5 speed and the torque involved with that when hard accelerating, what would be a good replacement that I wouldn't have to worry about breaking, I am kinda hard on equipment so I need a good one, I hate replacing stuff that shouldn't break, through all the pains it was putting a 5.0 in my truck it was worth it, it is a real fun truck to drive! um, whens it's going,,,lol,,,Neil ps, we'll get there...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

what year explorer did this case come from?

 

[neilk]

98 Mountaineer actually, most everything I used in the swap came from a donor 98 mountie