All Wheel Drive Options

[RaymondSmith]

Hi,



Maybe I am the only one who thinks like this but living in the rainy Pacific North West I sure wish my truck had an all wheel drive option. For the type of use my truck sees this would be the best performance upgrade I could do. Has anybody ever heard of a way to convert 4WD to AWD? I would even be willing to give up some of the 4WD functionality (such as 4Lo) to get AWD. Any input would be appreciated.





Thanks,



Ray

 

[brods]

Yes, well at least there was one years ago. There was some kind of aftermarket limited slip viscous coupling that bolted between the front driveshaft and transfer case and once installed you could leave it in 4x4 all the time, even on dry pavement. Of course you have to shorten the front driveshaft.

 

[BHanna]

The NP203 transfer case was full-time 4wd and used in lots of trucks in the '70s and '80s. You could try to adapt one of those but I'm not sure how well they'll handle the torque of your diesel.

 

[opjohnny]

The Dodge engineers wanted to know if this was an option we would find useful along with manual hubs for a future truck.

John

 

[DGamelin]

The one Brods was speaking about was made by Mile Marker. It was really slick, we installed a couple in our shop in Houston. In the extreme heat of Houston on the trails they didnt hold very well. I always wondered how they would have worked in the snow country.



If manual hubs were a option I would definitely buy them.



_________________________

93 250 2wd xc 354 auto 271k

04. 5 3500 4wd qc dully 373 6speed 94k

 

[RaymondSmith]

Thanks for the replies. That's interesting about the engineers asking if people would be interested in AWD. That option would probably be the one thing that would get me to buy a new truck.



I checked the Mile Marker web site and didn't see item listed. I understand how it would get burned up on a trail. In my case the only reason I have 4WD is for bad weather and unexpected sticky spot. I would never run my truck on a trail.



Maybe a good 4WD shop would have some ideas. I agree with BHanna though, torque would be an issue.



Thanks again for the input!



Ray

 

[brods]

It appears you are not alone in your quest. http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/transfer-case-viscous-coupler-t260563.html?p=2699426



Looks like your options will be very limited (if any). The Mile Marker unit might have held up in your application by simply babying the throttle while in AWD. You may want to try contacting these guys, but it is a long shot that they will have anything: :: STE Traction Control Technology :: - Products



If the 1/2 ton market for "Torque On Demand" 4x4 proves to be profitable, in a few years you may get your wish for the HD trucks to get TOD. Automotive Business Review



Let us know if you find anything.

 

[AH64ID]

I would like AWD, but not at the expense of 4Hi or 4Lo.

 

[KParsons]

locker

if you put locker in the rear,that will give you 3 wheel drive. and a air locker in the front that will do it. k

 

[BHanna]

I wouldn't recommend the lockers for slippery roads. They tend to spin you around when you hit a slick spot on one side.

 

[AH64ID]

if you put locker in the rear,that will give you 3 wheel drive. and a air locker in the front that will do it. k

You still don't get the benefit of AWD with a locker. And a rear locker wont make AWD work like 4WD.



Don't get me wrong, I really like lockers and have had ARB's in the past. . but AWD and lockers are for entirely different uses.

I wouldn't recommend the lockers for slippery roads. They tend to spin you around when you hit a slick spot on one side.

Yeah. . which is why I will only run open, helical gear LSD, or selectable lockers on my rigs.

 

[HOBrian]

My 98 Dakota had AWD along with 2hi, 4hi,N,and 4lo. I loved it so nice when it was rainy at 32 degress!!

 

[AH64ID]

My 98 Dakota had AWD along with 2hi, 4hi,N,and 4lo. I loved it so nice when it was rainy at 32 degress!!

Yeah my 03 V6 runner has that setup... its so nice. . combined with the TRAC and A-TRAC its pretty amazing. It has to be some pretty deep snow for me to lock the center diff. . AWD with all the traction control is better than 4WD without it 95% of the time.