Anyone drive in 4A and seems to hunt for traction

Donmatteo said:

Yes. With my 18, in slippery, 4a, it would alternate between 2h and 4 and vary traction based on throttle.

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When you say it varies between 2-4wd how do you tell? Does the distribution screen change? The dial indicator change? Change in steering feeling? I'm really curious about this.

Muchmore said:

When you say it varies between 2-4wd how do you tell? Does the distribution screen change? The dial indicator change? Change in steering feeling? I'm really curious about this.

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Yes on the disto screen. Yes on the raptor status screen (that shows the power to the wheels and steering angle) No on the dial and there is an increase in the parasitic drag on the drive line. The truck feels like it takes a titch more effort with the petal.

Donmatteo said:

Yes on the disto screen. Yes on the raptor status screen (that shows the power to the wheels and steering angle) No on the dial and there is an increase in the parasitic drag on the drive line. The truck feels like it takes a titch more effort with the petal.

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Interesting. I have an 18' 802A and when in 4A it "almost" always has a small percentage to the front end. I'm not a hot rod by any means but I don't run in 4A just because of the torque steer, however small it may be. I mean even pussyfooting it around it almost always shows 1-3%. The only way it's ever totally off for me is when I'm coasting.

Over the last few weeks there have been several threads on this topic, and it appears the new Raptors my have a different strategy/programing on how the front drive is applied in "4A"....Way too many guys talking about what they are feeling and seeing for all of them to "just be wrong"
So this is just a discussion as no one has read a single article from Ford discussing a change in the new trucks...

Loufish said:

Over the last few weeks there have been several threads on this topic, and it appears the new Raptors my have a different strategy/programing on how the front drive is applied in "4A"....Way too many guys talking about what they are feeling and seeing for all of them to "just be wrong"
So this is just a discussion as no one has read a single article from Ford discussing a change in the new trucks...

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Hey Lou. I work in Burbank!

I would agree with you. Something changed and the only thing I can think of was the addition of the trail system in 19

I thought something was wrong with my truck having had a different experience with the 18.

Donmatteo said:

Yes. With my 18, in slippery, 4a, it would alternate between 2h and 4 and vary traction based on throttle.

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As confirmed in the other thread. this is how my 18 behaves. When in 4A, it never feel it in the steering wheel unless i give it the beans with the go pedal. Normal driving and it is only the rears getting power. I can tell by the feel in the wheel and the power indicator.

goblues38 said:

As confirmed in the other thread. this is how my 18 behaves. When in 4A, it never feel it in the steering wheel unless i give it the beans with the go pedal. Normal driving and it is only the rears getting power. I can tell by the feel in the wheel and the power indicator.

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Same for my 2018- but I think you gotta also consider the impact of the torsen front diff if equipped. My trucks an 801a w/o the option, I wouldn’t say I run it in 4A the majority of the time, but in seasons where the weather comes into play- anything from very cold temps to wet leaves/torrential rain/snow etc I would say I run it as much, if not a slight majority of the time in 4A

My opinion also is if I’m going to be giving it some throttle on road or off its a lot more fun/confidence inspiring even in summer months of the pavement isn’t nice & smooth or if I’m starting from a stop on pick marked gravel/sand/snow/ice as I’m relatively stock aside from tune (no suspension mods yet) I lean on 4A to help alleviate the terrible wheel hop/axle wrap since it seems to do a very good job at masking/preventing it.

I'm really surprised at the ignorance on this topic. Basing opinions on nothing more than feelings. Try this test and see if you still "feel" like it's always in 4wd. Place the vehicle in 4A. After engagement from a stop crank the wheel max either left or right and gently pull forward. If it binds then you have 4wd engaged and there is a problem if not then it's all in your head, As a comparison try the same thing with it in 4H so you know what having 4wd engaged really feels like. Be careful in 4H on dry pavement as you will feel a binding and it's not good for your system overall but fine for a test to show you that most likely this issue is all imagined.

And by imagined I mean that 4A DOES NOT...unless something serious is wrong...always engage 4WD.

Muchmore said:

Interesting. I have an 18' 802A and when in 4A it "almost" always has a small percentage to the front end. I'm not a hot rod by any means but I don't run in 4A just because of the torque steer, however small it may be. I mean even pussyfooting it around it almost always shows 1-3%. The only way it's ever totally off for me is when I'm coasting.

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My 18 is only applying power to the rear wheels when simply cruising or only lightly accelerating from a roll. From a dead stop it always applies power to both front and rear as well as when I give it a decent amount of throttle from a roll.

At any rate, I don't think the original description/problem is the front end hunting for traction. I think it's the torsen diff at work trying to equalize the rotation between the left and right tires which makes it feel like the truck wants to pull in one direction or the other.

pbtjrlmrt said:

I'm really surprised at the ignorance on this topic. Basing opinions on nothing more than feelings. .

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As posted, it's based on the visual of the power distro screens and the feeling of the truck AT SPEED.

Nothing you posted will show how 4A works AT SPEED.

I know how 4H, 4L, 4A and 2H work and feel.

Feel free to rejoin when you come off your soap box.