Ok, I’m a bit confused. I’m sure the cruiser’s AWD principles are archaic to today’s technology, which is probably the source of my confusion. But isn’t AWD supposed to be better on snowy roads than with CDL on because power goes to the wheels that grip and not slip? In any case, with respect to the CDL and high range, I would think you’d get better traction with CDL off because there is no drivetrain windup. In snowy conditions doing 40 MPH on the highway I would think it would be safer to negotiate corners etc in AWD because wheels are free to turn at road speeds (because there is no windup, and therefore no loss of traction in snow). Taking corners (I mean sharp corners) can be freaky even at low speeds with CDL on.
Secondly, can I assume that our viscous couplers aren’t smart (like newer AWD vehicles)? I’ve read that we should lock the center diff if your front driveshaft is disconnected otherwise you wont be going anywhere (i.e. power goes to the wheels that “slip”), which suggests to me that power is not delivered to wheels with traction.
Thirdly, I assume that AWD power is not divided evenly front to back because 80 series cruisers have the 8” or whatever front diff while the back is 9.5” or whatever.
So to recapitulate the questions…
1) Is there any real benefit to having CDL on in snowy driving conditions or is it in fact a detriment?
2) Does power go to the wheels that slip or the wheels that grip? What if you’ve got crappy grip on the fronts (ice) and good grip on the backs (no ice), will most of the power still go to the fronts?
3) What is the power distribution in AWD going down the road with all 4 wheels getting equal traction?
I’d like to know these answers because I do a lot of highway driving in winter where the roads are ALWAYS icy and snowy.
Thanks in advance…
Secondly, can I assume that our viscous couplers aren’t smart (like newer AWD vehicles)? I’ve read that we should lock the center diff if your front driveshaft is disconnected otherwise you wont be going anywhere (i.e. power goes to the wheels that “slip”), which suggests to me that power is not delivered to wheels with traction.
Thirdly, I assume that AWD power is not divided evenly front to back because 80 series cruisers have the 8” or whatever front diff while the back is 9.5” or whatever.
So to recapitulate the questions…
1) Is there any real benefit to having CDL on in snowy driving conditions or is it in fact a detriment?
2) Does power go to the wheels that slip or the wheels that grip? What if you’ve got crappy grip on the fronts (ice) and good grip on the backs (no ice), will most of the power still go to the fronts?
3) What is the power distribution in AWD going down the road with all 4 wheels getting equal traction?
I’d like to know these answers because I do a lot of highway driving in winter where the roads are ALWAYS icy and snowy.
Thanks in advance…