AWD with low range

[J*C*M]

I've seen a few first hand just gliding across the beach.
I can't post the links from my work computer but if you check out some of the videos on youtube i am amazed the things a WRX will do in the snow and in the dunes.

 

[78Bronco]

I had a 2000 Sub Outback for a couple years. Great car but it seemed a little sketchy on ice with the auto power transfer from front to rear wheels it would go snakey. Could have been the cheap OE tires though.

I prefer to have power transfer from the rear to front wheels as its more predictable on slippery surfaces.

Build quality was great and it didn't require any service outside of normal maintenance for the 60,000 kms I owned it. The boxer engine sounds mean with an exhaust system installed.

 

[Maddmatt]

I had a 2000 Sub Outback for a couple years. Great car but it seemed a little sketchy on ice with the auto power transfer from front to rear wheels it would go snakey. Could have been the cheap OE tires though.

QUOTE]

Yeah, as a rear drive fan it took me awhile to get used to. I've had my '01 since '01, and the rear end got away from me a couple times early on.

Getting rid of the horrible factory Firestones made a big difference, I tried some Goodyear something or others, but now I'm running Pirelli P3000's and I love them. I'm about 25k into them and I would guess they are less than halfway gone, wearing very evenly, road noise isn't too bad. I would highly recommend them for anybody looking for a "one tire to do it all" solution on a Suby.

http://www.us.pirelli.com/web/catal...INTURATOP3000_ALL.xml&vehicleType=CAR-SUV-VAN


The Suby is not my first choice for knee deep trail breaking, but it is definitely my first choice for closed road/black ice/ sketchy weather. The more I drive it the more I love it - and I think all the newer ones have the VDC system, which is probably even better. But like I said earlier I've never had the chance to try it on the sand.

 

[J*C*M]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG5V6OUpOP8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo3uj09kezs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTMk...F710EE560&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6

I've always been impressed with Subaru, if i ever sell my truck and buy trail/expo rig, then i'll buy a Subaru for a DD / light duty rig. These are all WRX's, but they all use the same AWD system just some of the STI's have an adjustable Center diff.

 

[Herbie]

On the topic of Subaru AWD systems:

BIG THING TO REMEMBER: Manual Transmission and Auto Transmission Subarus behave VERY differently.

Manual tranny uses viscous-coupling center diff. Nominally 50:50 torque distribution. (except STi, see below)

Auto tranny uses computer-controlled clutch pack. Nominally 90:10 (F:R) until slip is detected by the ABS sensors.

STi uses a computer controlled system similar to the Auto-tranny, but nominal torque bias is 40:60 and can be adjusted by the driver.

This makes a BIG difference in how the cars handle on slippery surfaces. The auto cars behave more like FWD cars. They tend to understeer until the clutch pack gets the rear wheels moving. Manual cars also understeer by default but this is due to the spring/sway bar settings. Dialing this out will cause a manual car to be much more neutral-to-oversteer biased, which is WAY WAY WAY easier to drive (IMHO) on slippery surfaces.

/Rocking the Subaru love before they became "popular"

 

[Storz]

Hey all thanks for the info on Subie, I actually had an 05 Impreza and was really impressed with what it could do, however I would like to stick with something with a true low-range as I'd rather be under utilizing the vehicle, than straining it...if that makes any sense.

I think I am going to keep my eyes open for a clean FZJ80 when the time comes, though the Grand Vitara has me interested as well.

My subie.

 

[neverestablished]

I thought that the unwritten difference between awd and 4wd was that awd has no low range and 4wd does?

 

[4WD School]

I thought that the unwritten difference between awd and 4wd was that awd has no low range and 4wd does?

You are correct. :smiley_drive:

 

[alexrex20]

Storz, one of the big limiting factors when it comes to beach driving on the soft stuff is clearance. i do lots of surf fishing and as such, do lots of beach driving. in my experience pulling out dozens of vehicles, and watching what gets stuck and doesn't get stuck, dare i venture to say that a low-range tcase in a car/crossover won't afford much assistance?

i'm assuming you want the low-range so you can power through the soft sand. even still, if you don't have the clearance, you will be high centered in the ruts created by full-size SUVs and trucks, or you will just be dozing through the sand. i think a vehicle with taller tires and more ground clearance is what you need.

maybe a honda pilot or acura mdx? the acura has the ability to lock front/center/rear at speeds <18mph; i'm pretty sure the feature is available on the honda.

 

[winkosmosis]

I don't really get the low range thing. I've been stuck in beach sand and I don't see how low range would have helped... It's not like the sand prevents the tires from turning in high range.

 

[alexrex20]

well that's why you got stuck: you didn't use low range. try it next time and you'll see how much easier it is to drive through the soft stuff.

in my experience, the biggest mistake people make is not airing down... or taking a 2WD on beaches reserved for 4WDs.


2WDs typically are easier to pull out than 4WDs (they only bury 2 tires), but i still had trouble getting this guy out, and i was aired down to 12psi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNpZAzph9rE

 

[winkosmosis]

well that's why you got stuck: you didn't use low range. try it next time and you'll see how much easier it is to drive through the soft stuff.

in my experience, the biggest mistake people make is not airing down... or taking a 2WD on beaches reserved for 4WDs.


2WDs typically are easier to pull out than 4WDs (they only bury 2 tires), but i still had trouble getting this guy out, and i was aired down to 12psi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNpZAzph9rE

Yep I didn't air down, because it was a parking lot that had a little extra sand from Hurricane Ike. But what does that have to do with low range? The drivetrain in high range had no problem turning the tires

 

[alexrex20]

Yep I didn't air down, because it was a parking lot that had a little extra sand from Hurricane Ike. But what does that have to do with low range? The drivetrain in high range had no problem turning the tires

a "parking lot with extra sand" isn't the kind of beach driving i'm talking about. regardless, you got stuck whose point are you trying to prove - yours or mine?

 

[Storz]

Low range takes a lot of the strain off the drivetrain as well when sand driving, I am sure some of the AWD cars mentioned here would do just fine on the beach, but they would be working much harder than a vehicle with low range. Its too bad we dont get the low range option on the Forester or Allroad Quattro

 

[ihatemybike]

This is a good suggestion. I like these rigs. No aftermarket but safe and good on gas. Seem pretty capable in stock form

Check out www.rocky-road.com. Mild lifts kits and rock sliders are available.