Thread: How to use 4wd?

i know i'm gonna get a lot of shit for this, but how the hell do i work the 4wd on a 91 explorer? it's got locking hubs, so i know i have to get out and lock them, but which button should i select?

sorry for the stupid q's, but it's my first 4wd vehicle, and it's never been in 4wd since i've owned it. it's time i started to dick with it lol.

You should have the two buttons on the dash. You can put it in 4wd in park. Should light up. 4 lo you need to be in neutral. Now the better question is going to be if it works. Explorer's always have issues with there electric switch not working. They do make manual conversions.

thanks for the reply

now when do i use the buttons? are they speed specific?

as for the switch, i'd love to convert, but that $300 could easily be spent towards more important things. hopefully i can start using 4wd so i can justify the cost.

From what USMCGunrock said, park for 4wd and neutral for 4-low.

Use 4 hi for higher speeds, and 4 lo for climbing, max power, or pulling power, or if you want to cruise without struggling and going fast and dont go over 35 mph on 4 lo

you can engage 4wd in high range, up to 55mph as long as you dont have wheel spin going on. just push the button and if its working right, it will engae.great thing for driving on slimy wet mud roads and snow etc. 4LOlow range) you have to stop and put it in netrual then push the button for it to work.

and yes the electric shit rangers/explorers do seem to have thier fair share of problems. from the electric motors getting worn and tired, getting lost in their function, the dash switch, and the "computer" for the 4x4.yes it has its very own little computer.

word pf advice, if the system dose seem to work, the first time you push the buttons, do it about 50 times at random times.to really test it it out before you want to start to kinda rely on it.


....gunrock, whats the convertion?....has someone come out with a way to conver the "push button" in to a manual setup? Be rather cool if it keeps the shift on the fly function. Ive seen the knob in perrys I think it was in the red explorer.

here's the link usmcgunrock was talking about: Manual operation BW 1354 electric transfer case - Page 2 - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

so, to sum things up, low range for slow speed, 4wd for the faster stuff. i think i can do this lol.

My truck does not have 4WD, but when i've gone with my friends they use 4-LO for going down hills. So this is setup is somewhat like the Aerostars 4wd? (theres no lever to pull or anything,) although i think it engages automatic.

Explorers usually came with auto engaging 4x4. The problem is the motors freeze up from being underneath the car and seeing water and dirt. Electric motors don't like it too much...

Manual shift is the best way to go, but can be an expensive swap.

If you're having trouble , take off the motor and see if the transfer case if froze. By moving the shifter with a wrench.

The best way is to just swap the motor. Cheap and efficient


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I have just under 130,000 miles on mine and I've never had an issue with the shift motor on the transfercase. I do have a spare that I picked up from a wrecking yard but I haven't had to use it yet. I've read that the are a common issue and a lot of people have had issues with them but that has not been my experience yet.

Well of course you haven't had to use it yet. As soon as you buy a spare so you are prepared, you never need it!

I wish that was true. I keep spare short side axles for my Dana 30 in my Explorer now because I have broken 3. I can change them in about 15 minutes.

upgrade already .....

I would but I don't have the extra cash right now. A used axle with the hub only cost me $40.