2WD in Snow yesterday, up to 3 ft deep

[magnumfan]

Since we all like to chat about snow so much. I did quite a bit of attempting to get stuck yesterday in fairly fresh snow up to 3 ft deep. I took my hand winch, shovel, snatch strap, snow cables and some other get-un-stuck-by-yourself stuff that i tend to carry

I found that in 2WD I could get stuck very easily, but I did notice something pretty strange with the T4R. For the record mine is a V6 2006 year model. anyway, in 2WD I found that with no gas, just at idle with the front tires burried in snow, the T4R was solidly stuck, I got out and walked around the 4R, and found that both rear wheels were both turning (this is with an open diff) so that clearly indicates that the ATRAC system does work well and both back wheels will attempt to pull even in slikery stuff like that.

I also found that I could spin all 4 wheels, with no engine reving, at idle by high centering the 4R in just 4WD (no diff lock) and with the diff locked. but with the diff locked I could give it gas and it would continue to spin all four. but not with the diff unlocked.

Being high centered yesterday was the only time I would have needed to use my hand winch, shovel or other recovery stuff. I just got a guy in a Jeep 4 door to pull me off the snow, so I could get traction.

I must say I am very impressed with the snow performance of the Bridgestone Revo's, no real complaints so far for a mild x over combination road/off road tire.

Joe

 

[Even Steven]

An open diff will still allow both tires to spin under the proper conditions. I suspect your experience had nothing to do with ATRAC, but rather the fact that both rear wheels had similar traction in that particular situation.

Remember that an open diff will transfer power to the wheel with the least amount of traction. If both wheels had equally poor traction, then they will both spin.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

"I also found that I could spin all 4 wheels, with no engine revving, at idle by high centering the 4R in just 4WD (no diff lock) and with the diff locked. but with the diff locked I could give it gas and it would continue to spin all four. but not with the diff unlocked."

Did one end spin a little bit? I thought one end would have to spin a little bit due to the Torsen design.

I think I understand the Torsen but the 4Runner is the 1st vehicle I have owned with one, still learning. Thanks.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsen#How_they_work
http://members.rennlist.org/951_racerx/PS84Gleason.html

 

[magnumfan]

Rooster tails with the Diff Lock engaged

"I also found that I could spin all 4 wheels, with no engine revving, at idle by high centering the 4R in just 4WD (no diff lock) and with the diff locked. but with the diff locked I could give it gas and it would continue to spin all four. but not with the diff unlocked."

Did one end spin a little bit? I thought one end would have to spin a little bit due to the Torsen design.

I think I understand the Torsen but the 4Runner is the 1st vehicle I have owned with one, still learning. Thanks.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsen#How_they_work
http://members.rennlist.org/951_racerx/PS84Gleason.html

With the diff locked, I was shooting snow all over the place from all 4 wheels, a lot of fun. With it unlocked the SVC or ATRAC, whichever part takes control was managing the engine RPM so it would try to pull out but would not allow the motor to rev and wildly spin the wheels

regs

Joe

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Got it, thanks

 

[Falls]

An open diff will still allow both tires to spin under the proper conditions. I suspect your experience had nothing to do with ATRAC, but rather the fact that both rear wheels had similar traction in that particular situation.

Remember that an open diff will transfer power to the wheel with the least amount of traction. If both wheels had equally poor traction, then they will both spin.

Exactly true . If you we on a glare ice lake an the axles sense it has the same traction at all wheels , all wheels will spin.

I VSC is what shuts the power down to a crawl. designed to keep wheels turning and slowly moving you out.

With the Diff. locked and Atrac kicking in , you can roost all 4 wheels and have traction to all 4 wheels.