Power not getting to the ground in reverse?

[aha2988]

Bit of a noob question...
I was out wheelin the other weekend have a blast as always a friend of mine runnin an 87 model 4r got stuck as we were goin through about a 1' deep worth of mud in one area. He's at stock height with radial street tires so he high centered pretty quick. I was nosed up to his rear an to save a little time i just hooked the snatch strap to my front toe hooks an tried to pull him in reverse. I've read somewhere that the 1st gear low and reverse low are the same gear ratios. I was in 4H with the center diff locked. when i loaded up to pull back only the rear tires spun and it didnt feel like anything was being trasnfered to the front wheels. I unhooked turned around and yanked him right out with all 4 wheels throwin taters on my buddies back door. My main concern would be weather or not this is normal. I'll add that I've completly eliminated my traction control and stability control systems the only active system would be ABS. thanks in advance for any input!!

 

[KidVermicious]

My Explorer doesn't have 4WD in reverse either. It's something to do with the CommandTrac automatic 4WD system and the electronically controlled clutch on the transfer case. I wonder if yours does something similiar?

 

[aha2988]

My Explorer doesn't have 4WD in reverse either. It's something to do with the CommandTrac automatic 4WD system and the electronically controlled clutch on the transfer case. I wonder if yours does something similiar?

Torsen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Torsen T-3 Differential

just some tech data on my Transfer case I don't believe it has a an electronically controlled clutch. This set up uses an open center diff for the transfer case but gives you a locker in it so you can split the power 50 50 to the front an rear axels i wouldnt think putting the truck in reverse turns the locker off? It would make a little more sense if like one tire up front was spinning with one tire in the rear but its just not connecting the power at all. later that day i droped my front tires down into about an 18" deep footer (like a footer dug for a house) i was able to drive straight out of it but if i tried to back up the rear wheels spun an the front just seemed to sit there like an anchor. its just weird that it works flawlessly in drive but not in reverse and i feel like it just started happening recently.