Manual transfer case better?

[bronco351]

Hello

 

Manual trasfer cases have a reputaion of being more durable and reliable than electronic ones (well, in my 25 year old ford anyway...), and I prefer how they shift into 4wd faster (no delay while a small motor moves the linkage). The 1wt and 2wt trims come with the manual, but electronic is standard on the lt trim and higher. 2wt is really all i need in a truck, but it would be nice to have carpet and a leather steering wheel (which are only available in lt and higher).

 

My question is this: are manual trasfer cases still better? or is this an old way of thinking?

 

I cant seem to find any information on the two transfercases other than manual and electronic. I'm assuming both are shift on the fly.

[newdude]

Both are fine. If you prefer less electronics then snag a 2WT with carpet, which is availabe in both 1WT and 2WT. If you want the leather wheel and dont mind the electronic transfer case go for the 1LT. Auto 4x4 mode is nice too as it is on the fly set it and forget it. No need to take it in and out of 4x4.

[simon.hed]

I have wondered this myself. The last three trucks I have had were all electronic. With the first one, manual shift was still a more viable option on nicer equipped trucks. The last two (a 10 and this 14) I really didn't give it any thought.

 

I know a fair number of guys with 10 year old (or so) trucks that have electronic shifters that won't go into 4wd.

[bronco351]

Both are fine. If you prefer less electronics then snag a 2WT with carpet, which is availabe in both 1WT and 2WT. If you want the leather wheel and dont mind the electronic transfer case go for the 1LT. Auto 4x4 mode is nice too as it is on the fly set it and forget it. No need to take it in and out of 4x4.

 

Well I went looking to prove you wrong, and apparently you can get carpet in the wt trims. Well now i'm excited. Not sure if a non-leather wheel is a deal breaker for me, i'm sure i could replace it for less than the 3k price for an LT. I've never been a fan of Auto 4wd. I'm not sure why. I just think (incorrectly i'm sure) that engaging and disengaging the 4wd system would put extra wear on the parts. I've never heard of one of these systems failing however. I'm the kind of person that tries to not use 4x4 as shift on the fly; i'm just parinoid, lol.

 

I also have known a couple of people who had problems with their gm/chev (and one ford now that i think about it) electronic transfer cases after 5-10 years. I think i'll stick (pun intended) with the ol reliable.

 

Now if only they offered a manual transmission....

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

I'm with you, I don't use 4wd very often but when I need it, I really need it. The piece of mind knowing that your transfer case has definitely been engaged is worth the lever sticking up in the floor... Now... if you can only get manual locks on the front hubs?

[MikeNH]

Hubs haven't played a part on a 1500 pickup since 1987. There was an axle disconnect but now I'm not sure they even have that. If it does, all the lever gets you in manual t case control, the axle would still be electronic. That said, the last generation had no problems with the electronic 4x4 system and the one before that the only common issue was the switch. My 2003 had the manual shifter and it was crap. Despite being labeled shift on the fly it was a pain to engage while moving no matter what you did and the auto 4x4 is an excellent benefit in moderately poor conditions or if you're even slightly worried about traction.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

Oh... you mean you can't get manual locking hubs on the 14 1wt? LOL! and yes, front axle actuators are still in these trucks, at least they were in 2013. I have had issues with the servos, switches, actuators and wiring issues and anybody that seriously wheels is aware of this. Yeah, I know that very few on here really need manual controls, its just a preference and if you have a mall crawler or want to feel safe while driving down a road when is starts spitting a little snow then yeah, factory electronic shift, easy for grandma to switch 4x4 is acceptable. Since these trucks are not serious wheelers in stock form, it wouldn't bother me to have the switches either, I would just prefer manual..... it's just wondering if its going to work the next time you need it that bothers me.

 

Poop OUT!

[kstruckcountry]

Much of the time the problem isn't with the auto t-case, it is the axle engaging, which is a problem manual or auto. No one with a newer truck does "serious wheeling". IMO you need lockers in solid axles front and rear and 35's for serious wheeling. Serious mudding is another thing, I've had both and prefer the electronic t case. In the snow the manual t case doesn't hold a candle to electronic either.

 

And for what it's worth, every serious 4x4 build I've seen lately uses an automatic transmission. Because they're better than a manual in every single way.

[Hootbro]

My previous vehicle (Tundra) had electric transfer case and my current 1WT is a manual. I will say it took some getting use to going to a manual. It does "shift on the fly" per-say, but is very stiff at first until broken in with a few miles on it.

 

If does say in the manual that you may have instances where you may need to be at a complete stop to engage it but I only found that issue when it was brand new and now with a few mile of 4WD engagement, it shifts on the fly pretty well at most normal speeds.

[redwngr]

Even if the t case is manual, the axle engage is still electric.