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4Auto is not available on the XLT as far as I know. This is a Lariat and up option only. If you can bump up to a Lariat you will get the 4Auto and that should help you out on the wet roads.

4H and 4L would not be good on wet roads. As AllwhiteEco mentioned it will bind if your turn.

The best solution if you must get an XLT is to have a limited slip differential installed. The problem is, there are not a lot of options for the 8.8" axle in the 2.7L trucks. The 3.5L and 5.0 trucks come with the 9.75" axle and there are tons of options for those, including the Detroit Truetrac which is a fantastic option.

 

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You don't say anything about why you have a pickup truck. A pickup truck is the wrong vehicle to be driving if one has concern about wet roads and snow. You need a Subaru. Every Subaru comes with a better "4A" than any F-150. Is on full time in the Subaru, no switch to turn it off. Works on pavement, in turns, everywhere.

The 4Auto system in the F150 actually functions almost identically to Subarus. the difference is that Subaru is varying power to the rear wheel and the front is the primary driver while Ford is varying power to the front and the rear is the primary driver.

At least this was true for all of the automatic subarus when I owned them.

 

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I'm pretty sure the Truetrac is available for the 8.8. I loved the one I had in my Jeep. I was looking into them before I knew my truck would have the 9.75 and e-locker.

Maybe for the 8.8 but the new trucks use the super 8.8

 

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I fully agree the 4A option is a must have. It was one of my requirements when truck shopping. My old tundra had just the basic 4hi and 4lo options. It was a real PITA to constantly take it in/out of 4wd on patchy snow covered roads in the mid-Atlantic. I do not know about the newest F150s, but 4A was only included on Lariat trim and higher for older generations. The transfer case is different, has clutch packs, and requires a special fluid (not gear oil).

I believe Chevy and Dodge have a similar 4wd-Auto system and make it available on lower + mid-level trims which is kind of frustrating.

This is true about chevy and dodge. However, I believe chevy's standard t-case now doesn't have 4Lo. You have to get the Trailboss, Z71 or off-road package to get their Hi/lo tcase.

Although, for the OP, I think he would be just fine without 4Lo.

 

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My Limited does great in the snow and wet roads. Living in the PNW I feel like im an expert on wet roads and snowy passes. But..........my Subaru is better.......commence the hate lol. All jokes aside tires are more important but the 4A is a nice feature to have. View attachment 171162

Exactly, the tires will make the difference, especially in the snow.

That said, the Subaru owners usually thing the are bulletproof because of AWD. They are always the ones I see spun off of I-80 when i am heading down Parley's Canyon going to the airport in a whiteout.

 

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Can't be late for drum circle practice.

 

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Ive seen several people have done the conversion to the 4A tcase. I believe all you need is the tcase and the tcase module. Then just flip a few switches in Forscan.

So if you really want 4A in a XLT it can be done.

Oh and you need the 4A dash switch too.