Collective wisdom on 4wd systems

[bheiting]

The Toyotas and Hondas are still rated tops in Consumer Reports owner surveys. There shouldn't be a problem getting parts for them. My wifes 05 Highlander has never been back to the dealer. We purchased it new. Remember tires are as important as the drive system for traction. If you're driving through drifts, ground clearance is a consideration as well.

 

[Wasilla Rod]

Ford Escape and AWD

I drive 110 miles every work day to and from my job plus drive Fairbanks to the Kenai often. I drove an old school 2wd F100 Ford for 390 000 miles till the 300- 6 block cracked. I prided myself on my abilities and didnt need no stinking 4 wheel drive. Then I went to old school simple 4wd pickups with hubs. Wore out (rusted out) 2 of them then got a Bronco with a 302 manual 5 speed. That rig took real skill and attention to keep upright and on the road. That was an education that lasted one year! Next step was an S10 Blazer with manual 5 speed and in-out -hi-low T-case. Loved that rig. It was sure footed, and would bust drifts over the hood. I would still be driving it but a wasted meniscus in my clutch knee would not stand the 5 speed any more. The next rig was a Honda CRV. Hated that thing with a ROYAL passion. It was sure footed but what a hatefull pile. Noisey --uncomfortable --gutless-- nothing fit my body and only got 24 MPG ! Sold that P. O. S. after 6 months. Now I have a Ford Escape. I absolutley love it. It goes like a scalded dog. Sure footed as a Mtn goat. The AWD is the best of the best with ONE exception. When you get mired in the deep stuff-- if it didnt have the traction controll override button you would be screwed. It will not let you spin a tire unless you hit override. If any one buys an AWD without the traction control override feature YOU WILL HATE IT--PERIOD. You are stuck. Big brother is protecting you! My wife had and AWD Astro van that was a real moutin goat-- we took it places I could not believe. She now has a GMC Safari AWD van that is a dandy also. No worries all winter--hit the launch pedal and go! I have been extreamly happy with the AWD vehicles. Also--Studded tires are BEST on wet ice but the studless ice tires are VERY good and last forever. They are not as good for churning deep snow or mud as the tread is close and not agressive.

I would love to drive my Cummins to work but don't want to chance my baby on a daily basis amongst the road Idiots!



Rod in Wasilla Alaska

 

[DocDetonancour]

I have owned/driven 4 wheels for over 60 years. I have never had a more capable than our Jeep Commander. The Grand is the same p;atform. If it won't go, I would like to see what will. Doc

 

[brods]

Motorweek just did a little segment on a Land Rover event and the instructor (or commentator) said there are like 25 computers involved with the drivetrain

Imho how long you plan to keep the vehicle should be a factor in the decision of which system to go after. If you typically trade it in before the warranty expires, then the excessive complication is not a factor. If you plan on keeping it long after the warranty expires then a simpler drivetrain may be the better choice for long term reliability.



We’ve had good luck with the really basic AWD system that Dodge offered in 2000. No traction control, just a tight viscous coupling between front and rear. 11 years and 100K+miles with only minor issues (seal leaks covered under warranty).

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Just drove 400+ miles thru snow, high winds (50+ mph), and black ice, and this vehicle performs.

Must have just been through Wyoming :-laf



That being said, My new company truck is an '11 Ford F-250 gasser with the traction control and manual hubs with a manual shift transfercase and a selector switch on the dash for 100% lock on the rear dif!



Love all the options listed EXCEPT FOR TRACTION CONTROL!!



Computer control over manual systems is an epic FAIL in my book!! I have to turn off the switch every time I have to drive in the mud or bust through snowdrifts because if it senses excessive wheel spin, it will apply braking power for so long and then it will cut off the go peddle entirely #@$%!



I ended up getting stuck while wondering why the darn thing wouldn't just grab and go like the 07 did in the same conditions!!! Instead, I kept seeing this flashing light in the dash that was telling me that I had a wheel spinning as it slowly robbed me of power until I was burried!! #@$%!



I work at night in the oilfield and it was muddy the first time I took it out and learned after that to turn off the traction control BEFORE I got myself into a pickle



It was most likely designed with the "turn key and go" type driver, who has no clue how to drive!!! Just like the blessed TPMS for those of us that NEVER check tire pressures and point a finger when the squishy one blows out

 

[Jeff Knight]

My wife drives an 05 Expedition that has 2wd, auto4wd, 4hi, 4lo. The system works good in auto4wd with the ability to lock it in 4wd... Jeff

 

[Bernie]

I think the largest factor in traction is the tires. What ever you choose, go for dedicated snow tires. That will allow what ever system (2WD, 4WD, AWD) to make the most of the traction available.

If you have concerns of ice, I would get them studded. The studs are noisy, but worth it on icy conditions.

Make sure you do all 4 tires! Some still just want to do the main drive wheels. That is fine, unless you plan on stopping and turning at some point. If you have AWD or 4WD, you absolutely must do all 4, as the AWD/4WD will be "expecting" it.

Yes, there is an upfront cost (snow tires and summer tires). However, the miles you save on your summer tires will help offset that cost. Also, when snow tires get to worn, I pull the studs out and run them through the summer until they are done. I get about 90k to 100k miles (out of a set of snow tires and a set of the stock Michelin tires) on my truck with this method.

I am a huge fan of Hakkapeliitta snow tires. They are from Nokia (yes, the cell phone people). In short, they are high performance snow tires, designed and built in Finland (and they know a thing or two about snow).

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5

Also, in the past few years many others tire companies have taken notice of the high performance snow tires, and started to make some affordable and fairly decent copies. These are usually knock offs of an older Gislaved or Hakkapeliitta design, but they often work well for cheap. The one I like from this category is the General Artic Altimax.

General Altimax Arctic

Bridgestone makes a tire called the Blizzak. It is a stud less ice tire. They are OK. The bad news is they wear fast, and once you are through the first 50% of the tread they are kind of useless. I have tried a set, and went back to Hakkapeliitta tires.

 

[JGoss]

My wife has 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it's by far the BEST vehicle in winter weather that I've driven. It's got a manual lever and i've found using part time is better than full time. My daily driver is a 1996 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) with a 3" lift and 31x10. 50 all terrain tires and it won't hold a candle to the 03'. ( all stock except michelins) I don't use my truck much in the nasty stuff, because I've accumulated a lot of walking miles going to get the tractor or Jeeps for assistance. I'm sure the higher end SUV's are decent, but for the money you pay it better be. I think the Grand Cherokee's got rid of the solid front axle in 2004, so the 2005's on up I can't comment on. In central Missouri, we currently have about 10" of snow right now, and expecting twice as much by tomorrow, fun, fun.

 

[Cosmo]

FYI - Nokian split from Nokia in the 1980s, so the Hakka tires aren't really from the cell phone company.

 

[pwerwagn]

My wife has 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it's by far the BEST vehicle in winter weather that I've driven. It's got a manual lever and i've found using part time is better than full time. My daily driver is a 1996 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) with a 3" lift and 31x10. 50 all terrain tires and it won't hold a candle to the 03'. ( all stock except michelins) I don't use my truck much in the nasty stuff, because I've accumulated a lot of walking miles going to get the tractor or Jeeps for assistance. I'm sure the higher end SUV's are decent, but for the money you pay it better be. I think the Grand Cherokee's got rid of the solid front axle in 2004, so the 2005's on up I can't comment on. In central Missouri, we currently have about 10" of snow right now, and expecting twice as much by tomorrow, fun, fun.

You are correct, the 05 and newer WK grand cherokees do not have a solid front like the 99-04 WJ's. They still work well... but they are a lot different system. More electronics involved than the vari-lok/QD setup on the WJ's.



The newest grands are IFS and IRS...



--Jeff

 

[WhiteSheep]

I'll add a vote for the GC. Mine is a 98 and it is the best vehicle overall I have owned. Can't part with it. If the newer GCs are even just as good, with their better MPG, they should be on your list to test drive.

 

[Shadrach]

Ok how about something with 400 HP good ground clearance and fun to drive.
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Shadrach