toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
In the dark about what?
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
4wd drive vs 2wd w/locker
- Thread starter Jb1rd
- Start date
In the dark about what?
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
desertspeed
Adventurer
If you can ignore the pissing match going on in here, this is the best advice for you. I haven't completely finished my UJoint conversion on my van so I have been driving it around in 2WD for the last year and a half. I have been all over Baja and the local deserts without any problems- I have a compressor so I am able to air down when needed. In fact, I would argue that on board air is more important and cost effective than a rear locker.
Of course it all depends on where you are driving- I absolutely hate mud and refuse to drive in it. Getting stuck in sand is a completely different experience than being stuck in mud. A little airing down, a little digging and you are usually on your way without too much hassle. I think you live in FL?? If my only option was slopping through mud when I got stuck, I wouldn't go out without front and rear lockers and 49" Boggers :sombrero:
Someone is just confusing the terms.
A standard part time transfer case has two settings- 2Hi, 4 hi, and 4 Lo. In 2hi, there is no power being sent to the front axle. (aka, 2wd mode). In 4hi and 4 lo, it rotates both the front and rear drive shafts at the same speed- .
Some transfer cases are 4wd all the time- some have selectors that allow it to be locked for the same speed. This is what someone was referring to as a open transfer case, but really, thats now how most are (most are viscious operation) or selectable.
On a open diff, 100% of torque reaches the wheels at all time- except that torque will follow the path of least resistance. This is why the wheels with the least grip looses traction first.
Lockers in the rear of vehicles can be tricky- aggressive lockers can activate on you in a turn, making you loose control-. Lockers in the front can make for some really interesting turning issues. Selectables are the best solution, but are often at twice the price.
The odds of having an open front/open rear 4wd truck running into an obstacle at the same time are better than the odds that two rear wheels on the same axle will be stuck.
You can get some tire chains which will get you a lot further.. tire chains with a locker is really the best option in a 2wd truck.
A standard part time transfer case has two settings- 2Hi, 4 hi, and 4 Lo. In 2hi, there is no power being sent to the front axle. (aka, 2wd mode). In 4hi and 4 lo, it rotates both the front and rear drive shafts at the same speed- .
Some transfer cases are 4wd all the time- some have selectors that allow it to be locked for the same speed. This is what someone was referring to as a open transfer case, but really, thats now how most are (most are viscious operation) or selectable.
On a open diff, 100% of torque reaches the wheels at all time- except that torque will follow the path of least resistance. This is why the wheels with the least grip looses traction first.
Lockers in the rear of vehicles can be tricky- aggressive lockers can activate on you in a turn, making you loose control-. Lockers in the front can make for some really interesting turning issues. Selectables are the best solution, but are often at twice the price.
The odds of having an open front/open rear 4wd truck running into an obstacle at the same time are better than the odds that two rear wheels on the same axle will be stuck.
You can get some tire chains which will get you a lot further.. tire chains with a locker is really the best option in a 2wd truck.
Pinnacle Campers
Chateau spotter
Found this video randomly after reading this thread, should help clear up those that are confused still.
No personal affiliation to eaton blah blah blah....
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=q-rQTHMVAuw
No personal affiliation to eaton blah blah blah....
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=q-rQTHMVAuw
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Yes, the vans will always have better rear wheel traction than pickup (both empty)
The best thing you can do for a 2wd pickup is to toss a bunch of weight in the bed.
Even with a 4x4 truck, around here I toss 600lbs or so on the bed during the winter. It makes for much safer driving when you really do not need 2wd.
The best thing you can do for a 2wd pickup is to toss a bunch of weight in the bed.
Even with a 4x4 truck, around here I toss 600lbs or so on the bed during the winter. It makes for much safer driving when you really do not need 2wd.
BajaSportsmobile
Baja Ironman
All that confirms is that a vehicle with 2 of 4 wheels getting power will go nowhere if those two wheels are not getting traction. Put those rollers under both back tires and the 2wd with locker will go nowhere and the 4wd with open diffs will drive up the hill. So you pick your poison - getting stuck with both rear tires buried in sand or mud which happens all of the time, or two wheels on rollers in 4wd - lol! I know what I will choose every time.
Pinnacle Campers
Chateau spotter
I didn't post the video to "confirm" anything other than how the different drive types and differentials work mechanically as a visual reference point. Some posters seemed to have questions about it.
Hopefully they can discern the difference between having rollers under two side wheels vs. rear wheels vs all wheels easily as the given situation isn't very realistic and I don't think was the point Eaton had in mind when making the video.
As for "4wd vs. 2wd with locker" everyone has their own wants and needs and has to weigh that vs. cost, etc. Hopefully all the information in this thread helps them make a decision as to what's important for them.
jbob
Observer
One particular situation where 4wd is almost essential is a loose or slippery off-camber trail with a big rut or ditch on the downhill edge. With 2wd, it's really tough to keep the front wheels from sliding downhill into the rut. That said, I believe a 2wd with a locker is a viable option for a lot of folks -- just have to know your limits.