RIGHT FRONT BLAKE SCORIATED

[K9 EXPERT]

Raptor T-cases and 4WD systems have changed over the years. So it depends on the year as to how they operate.

All Raptors have the ability to lock the rear diff though, which is probably what you guys where discussing. Gen 1 trucks can lock it, and it stays locked until you unlock it. The Gen 2 and 3 trucks unlock at a certain speed. Ford is either nannying them or had too many claims of broken axles. The axle shafts tend to snap if you really give it the beans with it fully locked up. High speed 2WD drifts are pretty much the ******* **** though, so Gen 1 FTW when it comes to that.

The Gen 1 truck has no center diff or clutch in the Tcase, so the front and rear wheels turn at the same speed in 4WD. Gen 2 and up have a clutch or a diff in the Tcase so the front and rear axles can turn at different speeds, allowing 4WD "Auto".

There have never been lockers up front in a Raptor. The IWE engaging is essentially a "hub" like you'd think of locking in back in the day. Raptors have had optional torsion diffs up front, but never an option for a fully locked diff like they have as standard equipment in the rear.

Most of what you wrote is Greek to me. For clarification, all 4 wheels do not lock on a Raptor? In 4A, I understand the computer sends the power to the wheel with most traction, correct? It is only one wheel, correct? 4H is for deep snow, or mud, correct? Which wheels have power in 4H? What is the big difference between 4H and 4L? I understand 4L can only be driven at very slow speed, why? Now to sound really stupid, what is a locking differential and what does locking it do? I read some of this stuff in the book, but I do not understand it.

 

[EricM]

More for you to chew on...

The power leaves the engine via a crank shaft and enters the transmission. A transfer case is bolted to the back of the trasmission. The power goes through the transmission, into the transfer case. The tcase sends it to either the rear axle alone (2WD), or both axles (4WD)- depending on if it's in 2WD or 4WD. It also can be in high range or low range.

Fancy rigs like Range Rovers have a Tcase with a differential in it so you can do 4WD auto, but they also allow you to fully lock the center diff to make the front and rear alxes turn at the same time, wheich is advantageous over rocks. They also typically have fully locking diffs front and rear- generally ARB air lockers. If you are rock crawling, you want it all locked so all 4 tires turn at the same time. Front axle, tcase, and rear axle. Individual wheels are not locked. You need more than one wheel to lock them together. An axle is locked, not a single wheel.

Low range reduces the gearing so you have a bench of low end grunt and very little top end speed. It's for crawling over rocks or pulling out something that is stuck. I've never had a need to put my truck in 4WD low. It can be probematic to get out of 4WD low sometimes as well.

Gen 1 Raptor transfer cases are simply gearboxes with an electric motor to shift it. It has 2 speeds, hi and low. It has two 4WD modes, 4WD engaged or not. That's it.

Gen 2 and 3 trucks have a more advanced tcase with the ability to allow the front and rear axles to turn at separate speeds, which is necessary on dry pavement when you turn. That is what allows an "auto" 4WD system. You cannot run in 4WD on dry roads with a Gen 1 truck, unless you are only going in a straght line.

"Lockers" are typically in the axle housings, part of the differential. If it's a fully locked differential, both wheels on the same axle turn at the same time, always. There are tons of differnt type of limited slip differentials/lockers ouy there. ARB air lockers, Detroit style mechanical lockers, Auburn cone style, Tru tracs, and Torsion style of which there are many brands. They all try to do the same thing, drive both wheels on the axle instead one- but they all do it differently. Limited slips aren't fully locked and each have major downsides when offroading. The Raptor's factory rear diff can be fully locked.

As I said in my post above, no Raptors have ever had a front locker, only a limited slip Torsion style diff. It allows the front tires to turn at different speeds in a turn, but still sends power to both wheels.

 

[K9 EXPERT]

More for you to chew on...

The power leaves the engine via a crank shaft and enters the transmission. A transfer case is bolted to the back of the trasmission. The power goes through the transmission, into the transfer case. The tcase sends it to either the rear axle alone (2WD), or both axles (4WD)- depending on if it's in 2WD or 4WD. It also can be in high range or low range.

Fancy rigs like Range Rovers have a Tcase with a differential in it so you can do 4WD auto, but they also allow you to fully lock the center diff to make the front and rear alxes turn at the same time, wheich is advantageous over rocks. They also typically have fully locking diffs front and rear- generally ARB air lockers. If you are rock crawling, you want it all locked so all 4 tires turn at the same time. Front axle, tcase, and rear axle. Individual wheels are not locked. You need more than one wheel to lock them together. An axle is locked, not a single wheel.

Low range reduces the gearing so you have a bench of low end grunt and very little top end speed. It's for crawling over rocks or pulling out something that is stuck. I've never had a need to put my truck in 4WD low. It can be probematic to get out of 4WD low sometimes as well.

Gen 1 Raptor transfer cases are simply gearboxes with an electric motor to shift it. It has 2 speeds, hi and low. It has two 4WD modes, 4WD engaged or not. That's it.

Gen 2 and 3 trucks have a more advanced tcase with the ability to allow the front and rear axles to turn at separate speeds, which is necessary on dry pavement when you turn. That is what allows an "auto" 4WD system. You cannot run in 4WD on dry roads with a Gen 1 truck, unless you are only going in a straght line.

"Lockers" are typically in the axle housings, part of the differential. If it's a fully locked differential, both wheels on the same axle turn at the same time, always. There are tons of differnt type of limited slip differentials/lockers ouy there. ARB air lockers, Detroit style mechanical lockers, Auburn cone style, Tru tracs, and Torsion style of which there are many brands. They all try to do the same thing, drive both wheels on the axle instead one- but they all do it differently. Limited slips aren't fully locked and each have major downsides when offroading. The Raptor's factory rear diff can be fully locked.

As I said in my post above, no Raptors have ever had a front locker, only a limited slip Torsion style diff. It allows the front tires to turn at different speeds in a turn, but still sends power to both wheels.

Dear god, I feel like I’m back in microbiology! So the wheels do not lock, the axles lock, which causes either both rear, or both front wheels to turn at the same speed….AND the axle that is locked is powered? When you refer to “auto“ 4 WD, does it mean the vehicle computer selects the wheel for which it will provide power? Does Gen 2 or 3 have the ability to lock both axles at the same time and provide power to each axle simultaneously? I remember my first Tacoma required a person to turn, what was referred to as a lock on each wheel, so that the truck could be driven in 4 WD.

 

[nikhsub1]

@K9 EXPERT the tl;dr to all this is:

NEVER use 4H or 4L when on pavement, ever (as mentioned). When you are in these modes the hubs are essentially 'locked'. If you need all wheel drive on PAVEMENT, snow, rain etc, use 4A - this really only engages the front when slippage at the rear occurs. I think some power is sent to the front all the time but the transfer case regulates the ratio based on which wheel(s) have most traction.

 

[EricM]

Maybe start here... Understand why you need a differential, then lockers and limited slip differentials will make more sense.

 

[Ellison3]

Ceramic rotors for raptor? Go on...

Your point? Carbon ceramic rotors available for purchase. Better that my OEM. Sure the Raptor doesn’t come equipped with what comes on the Expedition. Pretty sure these are better than the Raptor’s brakes as well.

 

[New recaros]

He is playing you guys. Lol

 

[nikhsub1]

Your point? Carbon ceramic rotors available for purchase. Better that my OEM. Sure the Raptor doesn’t come equipped with what comes on the Expedition. Pretty sure these are better than the Raptor’s brakes as well.

They aren’t ceramic.

 

[K9 EXPERT]

Maybe start here... Understand why you need a differential, then lockers and limited slip differentials will make more sense.

Eric M, that was a great video and it explained it in a way I can comprehend, thanks for sending it!!!! However, one last question, is the following statement correct; the reason 4 H should not be use on pavement is because the rear differential is locked, which will not allow the wheels to spin at different speeds for turning, however if the truck is driven in a straight line, no harm, no foul? Again many many thanks!

 

[K9 EXPERT]

Maybe start here... Understand why you need a differential, then lockers and limited slip differentials will make more sense.

One more thing…..If you ever decide you want a high speed Malinois as a combat, or protection dog, I can lead you in the right direction and give you some tips. Shooting, tactics, EVOC and dogs are my thing. I never learned about how vehicles work. Many thanks!