Mechanical Shift-On-Stop (MSOS) System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Ford Pickup, 2009 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2009 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2009 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The mechanical shift-on-stop (MSOS) system allows the operator to manually choose between 2 different 4X4 modes as well as two wheel drive (2WD) and NEUTRAL. This system does not utilize a 4X4 control module. The operator can switch between two wheel drive high (2H), NEUTRAL (N), four wheel drive high (4H) and four wheel drive low (4L) at speeds below 5 km/h (3 mph). To engage or disengage 4L, the transmission should be in NEUTRAL to alleviate residual drag torque created by the engine. This system contains manual hub locks. Prior to shifting to 4H and 4L, the front axle must be coupled to the hubs by rotating the hub locks fully clockwise to the LOCK position.

The transfer case contains a non-synchronous clutch and Ford recommends that range shifts be carried-out at or below 5 km/h (3 mph) to prevent excessive transfer case engagement noise. When the manual shift lever is moved to 4H, the mode sleeve is moved rearward, locking the drive sprocket and chain to the rear output shaft. Moving the lever further to 4L causes the range sleeve to move rearward and engage the planetary gear set. This causes the output shaft to turn more slowly than the input shaft, resulting in increased pulling capacity at the wheels. The shift lever also operates the mode indicator switch, which triggers the instrument cluster (IC) to energize the "4X4" and/or "low range" indicator.