AWD/4WD Explained

[UG_Passat]

What about the full-time 4wd systems? The Subaru svx wasn't awd, a few of the Jeep Cherokees had full time 4wd, the Lexus GX is definitely full-time 4wd.

I posted the same thing in post #24.

Some systems blur the line between that people think is distinctly 4WD and AWD hard rules

The SVX was a AWD system, using Subaru's Active Torque Split system, which used an electronically controlled clutchpack to transfer torque to the rear, having a default 60:40 split.

 

[edyvw]

Lifted with AT tires Subarus are for people that think they can offroad like a Jeep Wrangler.

Even Subaru recognizes this market segment of customers and introduced the "Wilderness" trims

They think bcs. Subaru marketing.
That is why Subaru black listed bunch of YouTube reviewers bcs. they actually tried to do what Subaru claim their cars can do.

 

[Bjornviken]

Is a LandCruiser, Touareg 4XMotion, etc AWD or 4WD?

They have full-time AWD system (Torsen TBD in the center differential), but also a transfer case that gets you low range like a 4WD system.

What Land Cruiser is awd and use Torsen?

 

[UG_Passat]

What Land Cruiser is awd and use Torsen?

120/150 uses Torsen T3
200 uses Torsen T3
300 uses Torsen

 

[UG_Passat]

They think bcs. Subaru marketing.
That is why Subaru black listed bunch of YouTube reviewers bcs. they actually tried to do what Subaru claim their cars can do.

I posted this in 2019... tell me something I don't know about Subaru and Youtube reviewers

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/is-cr-v-awd-really-that-bad.306989/post-5065323

 

[edyvw]

I posted this in 2019... tell me something I don't know about Subaru and Youtube reviewers

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/is-cr-v-awd-really-that-bad.306989/post-5065323

I am just making a statement. It is not all about you.

 

[missingcurlybracket]

Not aware of blacklisting for off-road tests - but I do know they came back with a crusher-destined pre-production Forester and had Ryan of Driving Sports TV give it a tougher shot than earlier videos.

 

[Thermo1223]

Yeah, its no jeep with low range for sure! We've scraped a couple times on cottage roads/logging road but we take it easy as I'm not running decent off-road tires on it. Probably a Crosstrek would be better mostly from the smaller foot print.
For roads, a subaru is usually fine, but for trails, a real 4wd little Jeep or old Tracker is way more capable and fun.

I guy in my town would disagree with that. Outside of pure rock crawling he's takin his Forester places only a "Jeep" is supposed to go.

 

[Thermo1223]

I posted the same thing in post #24.

Some systems blur the line between that people think is distinctly 4WD and AWD hard rules

The SVX was a AWD system, using Subaru's Active Torque Split system, which used an electronically controlled clutchpack to transfer torque to the rear, having a default 60:40 split.

I thought it had the planetary diff like a lot of high end Subaru's...I short wiki read fixed that one. I never had the high end STi style one.

The '05 was the best AWD because it was dumb and predictable after you trained with it. It was a manual so it got a torsen center diff trying to keep everything 50/50 and then a LS diff in the rear also trying for the same. No electronics, just you.

The '09 was the typical 90/10 when no wheels were slipping unless you were in R or M1/2 where it locked everything 50/50 up to a certain speed. Confirmed that by watching the solenoid output on OBDII program for Subarus. Bigger car and more surefooted then it's lighter older brother but lots of nanny electronics you had to disable.

 

[missingcurlybracket]

I guy in my town would disagree with that. Outside of pure rock crawling he's takin his Forester places only a "Jeep" is supposed to go.

Plenty of folks pushing the envelope out there in crossovers, there's certainly some appeal to it - JonDZ is the patron saint of those with Honda mid-sizers, plenty of Subaru's in varying states of upgrades (heck, I've heard of an aussie locker out there for Subaru's), Bronco Sports, newer RAV4's - or even old RAV4's. Heard some early-00's Toyota's had an unpopular rear torsen LSD option that some hunt for too - manual first-gen's had a bona fide center locker.

I threw a 30 mm lift on my Sorento, that ought to put it somewhere in the realm of stock Outback capability if not a smidge above. If I were to do it over again of course, I'd probably get something better suited but between being a good daily and poor resale, it'll do for the occasional light trail. I think people would be surprised where I have been able to take it, but of course the angles are the biggest handicap.

I just remembered that Crown Vic that made some car publications when some guy took one to Moab(?)

 

[Thermo1223]

Plenty of folks pushing the envelope out there in crossovers, there's certainly some appeal to it - JonDZ is the patron saint of those with Honda mid-sizers, plenty of Subaru's in varying states of upgrades (heck, I've heard of an aussie locker out there for Subaru's), Bronco Sports, newer RAV4's - or even old RAV4's. Heard some early-00's Toyota's had an unpopular rear torsen LSD option that some hunt for too - manual first-gen's had a bona fide center locker.

I threw a 30 mm lift on my Sorento, that ought to put it somewhere in the realm of stock Outback capability if not a smidge above. If I were to do it over again of course, I'd probably get something better suited but between being a good daily and poor resale, it'll do for the occasional light trail. I think people would be surprised where I have been able to take it, but of course the angles are the biggest handicap.

I just remembered that Crown Vic that made some car publications when some guy took one to Moab(?)

Subaru's in the states also could get a rear torsen diff. I have seen(on the web) Audi's & Subaru's with 4Low handles intergated into the AWD. I don't think the ratio was that great but better than nothing.

If I still had my older '05 Forester(which I should have never sold) I would like that guy.

 

[ElectroMechanoMan]

I miss my ‘94 Dodge Diesel. 5spd stick and 2range transfer case. I would take it in the woods to get firewood and used 4L a lot. 1st gear lo range crawl, double clutch shift 4L to 4H, 1st to second on better trail. Loved it!

 

[UG_Passat]

Subaru's in the states also could get a rear torsen diff. I have seen(on the web) Audi's & Subaru's with 4Low handles intergated into the AWD. I don't think the ratio was that great but better than nothing.

If I still had my older '05 Forester(which I should have never sold) I would like that guy.

STI has rear torsen

The rest was an available viscous rear LSD in certain trims until electronic differential lock via ABS replaced it across the board

Subaru's don't have a 4Low. Even back to the part-time 4WD days.

A Tercel wagon 4WD had an extra short ratio crawler gear "EL" that you could only engage in 4WD.

 

[4WD]

I guy in my town would disagree with that. Outside of pure rock crawling he's takin his Forester places only a "Jeep" is supposed to go.

On the other hand - Drivers of the high altitude Jeep’s complain of a common trail chicane …

 

[HowAboutThis]

That's a bias over simplification...

My Subaru's AWD got me out of and into places I've watched full size trucks get stuck in. Tires has 100% more to do with whether you get stuck or not.

AWD is not for soccer moms any more than 4WD is bro trucks who think they can offroad.

My EP3 Civic with an open front diff used to get me up old forest/logging roads and many comments at trailheads from dudes in brodozers wondering how I got to the trailhead in a Civic. Unless it's mud, ice, or snow and you don't have a choice but to drive in it, simple AWD or 2WD is all you need. Most tricked out pickups in the US have more to do with self esteem than actually needing all the size and power.

 

[Hermann]

It was a good video.

 

[Thermo1223]

STI has rear torsen

The rest was an available viscous rear LSD in certain trims until electronic differential lock via ABS replaced it across the board

Subaru's don't have a 4Low. Even back to the part-time 4WD days.

A Tercel wagon 4WD had an extra short ratio crawler gear "EL" that you could only engage in 4WD.

No in the US but down under yes they did for the 4low and certain parts of Europe.

Yes the R160 was a viscous LSD and R180 on STi's had a torsen.

 

[TiGeo]

AWD is so much more than for snow/offroad or for "soccer moms". In a performance car the gained traction at the limit, for me, has been great in my Sportwagen and being able to dead-hook on launch is great.

4/5 vehicles in my fleet are awd. VW Atlas and Sportwagen are Gen 5 Haldex-based and work great/better than folks like to make it out to be. It's very predictive and not "engages only when the rear when the front slips" - it's engaging the rear most of the time at varying levels based on throttle. Also have a Quattro/Torsen system in my Passat which with the right tires and clearance would probably be an offroad beast!

For straight-up offroad/hardcore stuff, sure, locking old-school 4x4 is the way and I've had several of those vehicles over my life but for day-to-day driving/daily use not really necessary.