Warn Industries' Integrated Wheel End System (IWE)
Chosen for UC-Davis Team's FutureTruck Entry
The Warn wheel-end 4WD disconnect system is expected to contribute fuel savings of up to 0.5mpg on an Explorer being modified for the 2004 Ford-sponsored FutureTruck competition

Clackamas, OR (May 31, 2004) Current gas prices notwithstanding, improving the fuel economy of trucks and SUVs is an important objective of many in industry and academia today. Among those working hard on the problem is a team of students at the University of California at Davis (UCD); the team sees strong promise in the innovative wheel-end technology of Warn Industries.

UCD is one of 15 U.S. university engineering teams taking part in the 2004 FutureTruck challenge, a competition-sponsored by Ford-to develop more energy-efficient and "greener" automotive technologies. The UCD team, which along with the others is re-engineering a stock Ford Explorer, hopes to hit its fuel economy improvement target by using Warn's Integrated Wheel End (IWE) disconnect system. The team will put its work to the test in a series of driving and handling events during the weeklong competition in June at Ford's proving grounds outside of Detroit.

The UCD team chose Warn's IWE system as a means for automatically engaging and disengaging a specially designed electric motor that provides added acceleration and four-wheel-drive capability. The IWE disengages the electric motor at highway speed-when the additional horsepower isn't required-thereby eliminating its inherent drag, and re-engages it during slow-down and braking. "By taking out all the drag except for that caused by the wheel bearings, the IWE system dramatically improves our efficiency," says Brian Bender, the UCD team leader.

Warn designed the IWE system to provide a simple solution to the fuel consumption problem posed by four-wheel-drive systems. Robust and highly engineered axle, actuation and vacuum control components combine to engage or disengage the wheel ends whenever the transfer case is shifted, either automatically or manually. The result is four-wheel drive only when needed, thus preserving fuel and maximizing driver convenience.

"Although we re-engineered our Explorer so it gets its four wheel drive capability from the auxiliary motor instead of the stock front drive line arrangement, the IWE looked like the perfect motor engagement system. Also, its elegant but straightforward design meant that it went in very easily and required a minimal amount of modification to accommodate our half-shaft and gear case system," Bender says.

The 2004 F-150 is the latest Ford 4WD built on the Warn IWE platform. The innovative wheel end connect-disconnect system have been helping to conserve fuel on Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators since model year 2003.

About Warn Industries
Warn Industries is the world's most recognized brand in off-road products such as hub locks and vehicle recovery winches. The company is a Tier 1 supplier to Ford Motor Co. and provides powertrain products on leading domestic automobiles, sport utility vehicles and trucks. Further, Warn Industries continues to develop an international presence in Pacific Rim countries by working with Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, and Ssangyong. Warn Industries is a Dover company (NYSE: DOV).

For media inquiries, please contact:
Gary Rubin, PR Manager
503-786-4423
pressinquiry@warn.com

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