When are you using 4x4 Hi?

Yep, definitely taller than a 2wd Tacoma.

 

Here in the real world where people drive pickups, 4x4s are typically at least 50mm higher, look at the F150. The reason, like I said, is the driveline stuff in the front. Higher CofG is not good for safety, and it is not good for aero either.

 

I was just providing an extreme example with that Lamborghini of how wrong your claim is. There’s no difference in ride height between the same models of the same truck in 2WD or 4WD. The same goes for many common passenger vehicles that are available in both AWD and 2WD.

 

No. Look at F150, Ram 1500, Silverado. All taller in 4wd, for exactly the reason I stated.

 

Yes, they are. Cool if you don't need 4wd, but you can about piss on an open diff 2wd tire and get stuck. 4wd with open diffs is at least twice as good.

 

2wd with a locked diff (e locker type) on ice, cross slopes or many other conditions are tough to keep straight. 4x4 with open diffs or 4x4 with an auto locker or LSD are the best. They lock and unlock only when needed. Too bad Tacomas don't offer this. A wrx sti with dual lsds and snow tires lets you drive like a rally driver! We run dedicated snow tires and 4x4 (awd on other car) and there's no compromises. We drive around like it's dry out while the suckers struggle, get stuck, drive 10mph, etc. Don't fight it and get what works I say.

 

My sport Taco has an open rear diff like many pickups, but it brakes the faster-spinning wheel to send torque to the wheel that has more grip. Probably the off road ones do the same thing, and of course you can lock the rear diff on the off road models. I wish my truck had a mechanical LSD, because it ain't the same thing.

 

If sliding off the road around non-sharp corners, you’re definitely driving too fast for the conditions. You should also be using 4hi, unless you like surprise oversteer at 60mph (you won’t). That’s the problem with 2wd, if you lose traction, you get oversteer. If in 4wd, you get understeer. Understeer is way easier to control, especially at higher speeds.

 

Certainly. And I suppose I wasn't completely accurate with my previous post.

I am not anti-4WD. If I were in a situation similar to the one you described above I would be in 4WD. There are plenty of situations where 4WD gets engaged.

I just don't turn to it the moment the surface on which I am driving becomes less than ideal (i.e. perfect). Experience, along with a practical analysis of the situation I am in, determine whether or not 4WD gets engaged.

On a trail and coming up to a muddy steep hill? Give me 4WD.

Driving 35 mph through my small mountain town after a recent snow storm? Egh, 2WD will do in all but the most unusual of situations.

 

This is news to me, anyone else?

 

Fo high