2005-11 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD

[hayden55]

Anybody ever seen one of these in real life? I'm very interested in the drivetrain since it has an Aisin eCVT and 4wd of some sort. Interested in seeing how their 4wd works. Seems like a hidden gem.
Hopefully not completely useless like the new awd crossovers.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...n=sbs&id=30777

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by hayden55

I'm very interested in the drivetrain since it has an Aisin eCVT and 4wd of some sort. Interested in seeing how their 4wd works.

IIRC it's the same viscous-coupling ControlTrac II system fitted to non-hybrid versions, but I've never seen one. AFAIK in my region the only country where the 1st-gen Escape hybrid was available is Ecuador due to a tax break.

[freebeard]

A site search on 'escape hybrid' return six usable results before Google goes off the rails. I thought there was a recent thread but it's fallen off the Recent Posts list.

ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/ford-escape-hybrid-considering-buying-one

[hayden55]

Ah so it has no 4wd switch and is not 4wd.

[ksa8907]

If you're looking for true 4wd and hybrid, not sure how many options there are out there, maybe lexus/bmw/mercedes has one in their high end suv line.
The gm 2 mode hybrid trucks and SUVs are true 4wd with hybrid. Not stellar FE... but it has both.

I've considered it would be a fun little project to rob the powertrain without engine and build a 4wd EV.

[hayden55]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

If you're looking for true 4wd and hybrid, not sure how many options there are out there, maybe lexus/bmw/mercedes has one in their high end suv line.
The gm 2 mode hybrid trucks and SUVs are true 4wd with hybrid. Not stellar FE... but it has both.

I've considered it would be a fun little project to rob the powertrain without engine and build a 4wd EV.

Rob the power train from one of the GMs?

I wonder if the diff in this FEH (Ford Escape Hybrid) would accept an aftermarket diff. It is a Ford and usually they parts bin it (steal from other popular models in their lineup) and have a lot of part support in the aftermarket. A rear diff lock would make this thing very cool! Without that though it looks like it might help in snow but not much in unlevel terrain.

[ksa8907]

Yes, the gm 2 mode. The transmission has the electric motors in it. Drive related it's just standard gm stuff. For battery and control just add whatever system you want. I believe they are a pair of 80hp electric motors, one on the input and one on the output.

[hayden55]

Ooo I see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTYL...eFastLaneTruck

Here is a good video on the new hybrid maverick. I see that they ditched the awd on the hybrid on the new trucks though. They are still using an eCVT and a 2.5 Atkinson though and tow 2000lb.

Okay so far I see Dana 28.
https://www.yukongear.com/shop/yk-d28-irs
https://sextonoffroad.com/i-22163136...1dFkWBPO1H79Ak

I want to chat more and see how many hours labor the diff install is and the compatibility of it.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by hayden55

Ah so it has no 4wd switch and is not 4wd.

AFAIK there is a 4WD lock switch, to keep it engaged instead of waiting for the on-demand coupling of the rear diff.

[Hersbird]

The best true 4wd hybrid is the Wrangler 4XE. You can even get that in Rubicon trim with true lockers front and rear and electric sway bar disconnects. All of the 4XE use a real 4wd transfer case, high and low 4wd and 2wd high. The best part is it's now just a hybrid but a plug in hybrid and the EV mode can be selected or saved or even recharged completely with the ICE if desired. Meaning you can save the quite EV mode for the trail. Use it all up, then recharge it again while driving down the highway to the next trail.