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rv:awd [2022/01/25 21:31] princess_fluffypants [4-wheel-drive] |
rv:awd [2022/02/02 01:37] princess_fluffypants |
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Billions of dollars worth of marketing has firmly lodged into the brain of many a vehicle buyer that they //need// All-Wheel-Drive or else they will instantly pirouette off the road to their death at the slightest hint of snow, or that they' | Billions of dollars worth of marketing has firmly lodged into the brain of many a vehicle buyer that they //need// All-Wheel-Drive or else they will instantly pirouette off the road to their death at the slightest hint of snow, or that they' | ||
- | Reality is somewhat different. While AWD has it's uses, the capabilities are vastly over-blown and over-sold. **AWD has very limited usefulness in rough or uneven terrain**, and should not be relied upon to significantly extend the capabilities of your van into these areas. However AWD can mostly be left on at all times, is very user-friendly and forgiving of mistakes. | + | Reality is somewhat different. While AWD has it's uses, the capabilities are vastly over-blown and over-sold. **AWD has very limited usefulness in rough or uneven terrain**, and should not be relied upon to significantly extend the capabilities of your van into these areas. However AWD can mostly be left on at all times, |
- | For a great many people, especially people hoping to use their van off pavement, a RWD van with an aftermarket locking rear differential will provide more capabilities when off pavement than the factory AWD system. | + | For a great many people, especially people hoping to use their van off pavement, a RWD van with an aftermarket |
Neither are substitutes for an actual 4-wheel-drive system, which are offered by aftermarket upfitters. | Neither are substitutes for an actual 4-wheel-drive system, which are offered by aftermarket upfitters. | ||
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- | ===== 4WD vs AWD ===== | ||
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- | A 4-wheel-drive system mechanically locks the front and rear axles together, and the left and right wheels together if engaged with differential locks. | ||
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- | AWD systems such as used on the Transit and the Sprinter don't have mechanical locks between the axles and wheels. Instead they use computerized controls to detect when a wheel is spinning and doesn' | ||
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- | The result is that while 4WD vehicles seem to glide smoothly through lose terrain and up hills, AWD vans tend to " | ||
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===== What AWD is good for ===== | ===== What AWD is good for ===== | ||
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Locking differentials can typically be installed into most RWD vans for $2-$3,000. | Locking differentials can typically be installed into most RWD vans for $2-$3,000. | ||
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+ | ===== 4WD vs AWD ===== | ||
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+ | A 4-wheel-drive system mechanically locks the front and rear axles together, and the left and right wheels together if engaged with differential locks. | ||
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+ | AWD systems such as used on the Transit and the Sprinter don't have mechanical locks between the axles and wheels. Instead they use computerized controls to detect when a wheel is spinning and doesn' | ||
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+ | The result is that while 4WD vehicles seem to glide smoothly through lose terrain and up hills, AWD vans tend to " | ||
===== 4WD Conversions ===== | ===== 4WD Conversions ===== |