2wd vs 4wd
Hi all...time to open another can of worms...we r going to purchase a 2015 2500 denali duramax crew...just don't see the need for 4wd...how abt some non male ego driven opinions on the subject. ..thx....
Forum Discussion
Gearing in true 4x4'ing...
It's not all about speed in off roading...well some times you do need
to back up to take a run at it, but not often...plus there are severe
consequences in doing that... :E
S L O W is the key to surviving and longevity of your equipment
But how to go slow and still 'make' it...it's in the gearing to get the
right RPMs with power to the tires
My 4L80E's gear ratios are:
1 2 3 4 R
2.48 1.48 1.00 0.75 2.07
My NP241C's gearing is: 2.72:1 (IIRC)
My diff ratio is 4.1:1
My 7.4L's torque is 410 ft/lb (low by today's stuff)
In first gear & compound low my axle torque is
410 ft/lbs x 2.48 x 2.72 x 4.1 = 11,339.35 ft/lbs
Enough to twist stuff into pretzels. Why with today's offerings, they
MUST have torque management to control the ICE's RPMs
Without a compound low, the tires would break loose and spin too
easily and dig a grave for itself
This is one huge reason to have 4x4 in my book...
PS...while on serious off roading...airing down tires...begets an
'apparent' tire OD in the 8 feet or more. That is why airing down in
tough stuff works. Plus the wider and cupped apex on the ground increases
the traction and floatation
PPS...I run out of traction way before I run out of torque when
climbing in the rough stuff. Or just navigating tough terrain
It's not all about speed in off roading...well some times you do need
to back up to take a run at it, but not often...plus there are severe
consequences in doing that... :E
S L O W is the key to surviving and longevity of your equipment
But how to go slow and still 'make' it...it's in the gearing to get the
right RPMs with power to the tires
My 4L80E's gear ratios are:
1 2 3 4 R
2.48 1.48 1.00 0.75 2.07
My NP241C's gearing is: 2.72:1 (IIRC)
My diff ratio is 4.1:1
My 7.4L's torque is 410 ft/lb (low by today's stuff)
In first gear & compound low my axle torque is
410 ft/lbs x 2.48 x 2.72 x 4.1 = 11,339.35 ft/lbs
Enough to twist stuff into pretzels. Why with today's offerings, they
MUST have torque management to control the ICE's RPMs
Without a compound low, the tires would break loose and spin too
easily and dig a grave for itself
This is one huge reason to have 4x4 in my book...
PS...while on serious off roading...airing down tires...begets an
'apparent' tire OD in the 8 feet or more. That is why airing down in
tough stuff works. Plus the wider and cupped apex on the ground increases
the traction and floatation
PPS...I run out of traction way before I run out of torque when
climbing in the rough stuff. Or just navigating tough terrain
