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Originally Posted by X-Traction
Thanks for the valuable feedback. I think a lot of people who believe automatics have no place rough-roading, have never tried it or thought about it. I suspect they associate the cruder aspects of off-roading with the idea of a basic manual transmission. I noticed all the more expensive SUV's have automatics, and in the reviews of them, no one lamented the lack of standard transmissions. Some of these, such as Land Rovers and the latest Grand Cherokees, enjoy great praise for their capabilities despite having automatics.
I took a rwd automatic car with limited slip diff to its clearance limits frequently for many years, and actually found the automatic to be a pretty good substitute for not having a low range. For uphill, at least. It was totally useless for creeping downhill, and I went through a lot of brakes. I've also used a 4x4 5-spd in low range a lot, and I know it's not the perfect answer either.
I've placed a deposit on a new suv that comes with a low range only if it's combined with an automatic transmission, so I was concerned about the conventional thinking that says automatics have no place in the rough stuff. The automatic in question is a 5-spd, apparently with an unusually low first gear. So I think it will be just fine.
Johnnyhammers, How do you think a system with traction control using the ABS braking system compares to something set up like the old Grand Wagoneer?
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Well, my Wagonner had open diffs, so I think the ABS traction control will be a big help off road. I think it should be fine on the road too. With open diffs you really only have one wheel working; two if you're in 4wd. I think the ABS system would be great for what you want. I've tried to figure out something similar to it on my current truck (97 hardbody xe 4x4). Actually it's more similar to "cutting" brakes found on most farm tractors and on some desert sand rails (the old VW variety). I've place brake line lockers in the rear brake lines. These are often used on the front wheels of drag racers to lock the front brakes independently of the rear so they can do those spectacular burnouts. I put one one each side of the rear brakes so I can lock each rear wheel independently of the rest of the brake system. in effect is can brake the wheel that's in the mud or in the air and transfer the power to the wheel that has (hopefully) some traction. It's a great theory, but the rear brakes don't have much power, so it only makes a slight difference. A real ABS control system would work great.
Ah yes, me and my cock eyed schemes.
BRILLIANT!!!
