Hi!


I''m new here and new to Mercury vehicles. Within the past year, we have purchased two Mountaineers, a 2002 and a 2005 Premier, replacing Jeep Grand Cherokee Limiteds with over 150K miles on each of them. I''d like to use the 2002 for hunting and light off-roading, gravel/dirt roads, but I''m concerned that the AWD system won''t offer enough traction in mud or snow. Is it possible to install a locker unit in the rear differential and, if so, will it work with this vehicle''s AWD transfer case?


Thanks in advance for your help and advise.

I''d figure that if it has open difs, then it should, but if the difs are computer controlled clutchy types for traction control, then there''s no need. I do know that the mountaineers do not perform as well as jeeps do off-road (from people I know that have driven them) but once you know the capabilities, you learn to avoid the few areas that get you in trouble. the mercs aren''t far behind the jeeps, but aren''t quite as good off-road.

My advise would be to talk to a dealer to get the exact specs on the diffs and then look around and see if there are lockers available for your model.

I personally would feel confident your Merc''''s full time AWD off-road. But like Slymer said it is no Jeep. Ground clearance and grade incline/decline for exmple. Maybe a good set of mud tires would be cheaper? Doesn''t it have IFS/IRS?Edited by: conan312

What is IFS/IRS?


Jeff

Independent front and/or rear suspension. Sorry for the acronymns.