6-speed and part-time 4wd (1 Viewer)

[gnob]

But it appears that the AT FJC's do just fine off road, so why build it that way?

Am I missing something?

thanks

DC

they probbly dont have a center diff case to mate to the auto, or i imagine they would have all gotten them.


i dont know, the FJC was more purpose built.
i dont personally have a problem with the center diff.
you cant buy anthing today with lockouts.

not only that compared to my old xterra that had part time front drive, the FJC has way better steering feel.
i really think the center diff is an added bonus, not a hinderance.

yeah it eats a few MPG, but these days i care more about drivability and safety.
when i bought my truck, i didnt realize there was a center diff ( i guess i hadnt dont enough homework or i was spaced out that day)

anyway, the wife almost had me talked into an auto, after i realized the center diff thing i was way stoked we stayed with the manual option.

if i want to play with lockouts i fire up the mini.

 

[DonC]

yeah it eats a few MPG, but these days i care more about drivability and safety

I would rather have the MT too. But the mileage thing is an issue. Seems like the AT version does about as well as the MT offroad, so what is the real advantage to the center diff?

Not trying to argue here, I just don't understand.

thanks

DC

 

[gnob]

I would rather have the MT too. But the mileage thing is an issue. Seems like the AT version does about as well as the MT offroad, so what is the real advantage to the center diff?

Not trying to argue here, I just don't understand.

thanks

DC

the advantage is having front drive available without haveing to shift it.

the center diff comes in handy in icy conditions where a locked diff or case may cause problems.

AWD is really a handy thing and IMO most everything should be AWD.

i really think you could get a whole lot further in a mt in what would be 2wd high than you could in an AT 2wd.

i can understand where you are coming from in a hiway driving point of view.
i couldnt see the maybe 1-2 mpg worth the auto.

i like having to shift, i cant wait until i get to actually wheel the thing.
it would definately be a bit different than the mini, and the AC will be nice too

 

[DonC]

the advantage is having front drive available without haveing to shift it.

the center diff comes in handy in icy conditions where a locked diff or case may cause problems.

AWD is really a handy thing and IMO most everything should be AWD.

i really think you could get a whole lot further in a mt in what would be 2wd high than you could in an AT 2wd.

i can understand where you are coming from in a hiway driving point of view.
i couldnt see the maybe 1-2 mpg worth the auto.

i like having to shift, i cant wait until i get to actually wheel the thing.
it would definately be a bit different than the mini, and the AC will be nice too

Yeah, I prefer shifting too. Hard call...

thanks

DC

 

[Tools R Us]

... Seems like the AT version does about as well as the MT offroad, …

I guess it depends on the definition of “off road.” For years I wheeled MT’s, my last two have been AT’s and the only place that I even slightly miss the MT is long down hills. In the tight, slow, crawling type stuff the AT will smoke a MT. With the AT you can left foot brake and be very precise/smooth with your movement. The gear ratio on the MT to high and it’s harder to three pedal, so it’s much harder to be precise.

The only time I would have a MT in an off road rig would be a light weight buggy type rig and it would have a crawler box for way low gearing.

... so what is the real advantage to the center diff? ...DC

The center diff allows for full time four wheel drive on pavement, without the slip that it allows there would be drive train bind. When they are shifted into low range the center diff is locked, so in low range both transfers perform the same.

 

[DonC]

Thanks!

DC

 

[shane4x4]

After driving the AT part time first, I'm happy to have the MT full time. It makes much more sense for me in the mountains. I can see how it could be an issue if you weren't driving in snow & ice very often.

 

[DonC]

Tell me why you like the MT better for those types of driving.

thanks

DC

 

[DEWFPO]

The 6MT is full time 4WD, so in the mtns where you are often dealing with snow and ice conditions in the winter, it is nice to not have to constantly shift into and out of 4WD as with the 5AT's part time case.

As others have said, once you lock the 6MT's transfer case into HL or LL then you are basically in the same situation as the 5AT except you have lower gearing and a manual trans to better select and control the gearing you are using.

DEWFPO