Ford F150 4WD questions

Hi guys. Wondering if you had any thoughts on two 4WD questions. I have a 2005 Ford F150 XL. It has the 4WD lever on the floor (not the push button).

First question. When I shift into 4WD, the 4WD does work. However, to disengage it (return to 2WD) I have to stop and back up. Not a big deal I guess, but just seems odd on a 2005 truck this is still necessary. Some guys I’ve talked to say this is normal others don’t.

Second question. When in 4WD, the indicator light on the dash doesn’t display even though it’s clearly in 4WD. I know it works cuz it comes on briefly when I start the truck etc. But maybe a bad sensor etc.? Not sure. I guess it’s not a huge deal with either problem, just wondering if there were any simple fixes to either problem. Mechanics I’ve talked to so far haven’t offered much guidance.

Thanks.

Luke

Can’t help ya on the problem with the light… but the reverse to totally disengage is the way it worked best on mine. It has been a while, but another thing I learned the hard way is to “use” the four wheel drive more often, including the low range. The manual shifting linkage and such needs to be used, and moved around to keep it from getting sticky, or possibly freezing up as mine did.

Good luck with the light thing.

times 2 on the reverse to disengage, not sure on the light not working.

Ford was a little behind the times till about 2009

To shift out of 4 high you don’t have to stop and back up. A little trick I learned was to get the truck moving at a speed the truck will cost at and step on the brake then push the leaver out of 4 wheel drive. What you are doing is taking the presser off the front drive shaft. You truck should slide out of 4 wheel drive without any problem.

Other than on Manual Lockout Hub style 4WD’s. I did not think you still needed to back up to disengage the 4WD system. Many others here much better with Auto’s than me that will chim.

That’s what I thought, too. But good to hear some others have to do the same as me – back up. Good tips. Now if I could figure out that light deal. Hmmmm.

The light is likely a sensor only. My jeep had a bad sensor and the light wouldn’t come on. It also gets stuck in high sometimes and the only way to get it out is to backup on a level surface.

Quote:

---

To shift out of 4 high you don’t have to stop and back up. A little trick I learned was to get the truck moving at a speed the truck will cost at and step on the brake then push the leaver out of 4 wheel drive. What you are doing is taking the presser off the front drive shaft. You truck should slide out of 4 wheel drive without any problem.

---

That is what I usually did with my truck. Coast shift then brake slightly.