John_G2
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Re: UPDATE! Picking up the 2015 Eco-Diesel Friday/Saturday! :)
NinerBikes wrote: One day, VW Audi Porsche Group will come along with an 8 speed DSG transmission. It's 2 parallel synchromeshed manual gear boxes, with 2 annular direct drive clutch plate packs, shifted by ECM programming parameters. VW/Audi runs a 6 speed DSG in it's upper end cars, but the 8 speed in my Touareg is Aisin, with a torque convertor. It was originally designed for a 737 ft lb of torque 6.0 V12 TDI diesel monster, shoehorned into an Audi Q7 SUV. One can dream, but someday, I hope, it comes to fruition. The 6 speed DSG in my Passat TDI is slick, but for towing, the 8 speed would really be perfect, it engages, drives and delivers the MPGs like a manual, because it is a manual, not an automatic, in the normal sense. The brain and rpms deliver oil pressure to engage the clutch, one at a time for the 2 parallel gear boxes. They have been offering 7speed DSG for a number of years, my 2013 S4 is a 7speed S-Tronic (DSG). On more powerful cars (RS7 and S8) they actually use the 8 speed tiptronic... as the DSG can't handle the torque.241Views0likes0CommentsRe: f350 tire question
Also in Calgary. Don't know about the rims... But, I just bought those exact Hankook ipikes for my 2013 F350 platinum. From what I could read they seemed the best choice of the limited selection available. I found the Michelin's were better in the snow once I put a little more than 500# of patio stones in the bed just above the rear axle. :)257Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tire question
The Texan wrote: I had the Toyo Open country on our last truck and was extremely disappointed in them. Worn out at 28K and noisy as all get out on the road. Have Hankook on this truck for winter tires and very happy with them, other than the 2 MPG loss from summer to winter. Thanks. The early wear on the Toyo's is exactly what I found previously and was worried about.204Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tire question
Majja13 wrote: Just curious why not just go with a good all terrain like the Hankook Dynapro AT or other tire. I for one am not a huge fan of the toyo's either The Dynapro AT is still an all season tire. I'm looking for an actual winter rated tire - has the mountain and snowflake symbol. A number of the highways I drive on during the winter require either winter tires or chains... while I have chains the tires add some extra piece of mind.204Views0likes0CommentsTire question
I'm looking to put winter tire on my F350 and have 3 choices in 275/65R20: Firestone Winterforce LT Toyo Open Country WLT1 Hankook RW11 i-Pike I'm looking for any experience with any of these brands. Of the three I've had Toyo tires once (on a 2000 Pathfinder) and wasn't thrilled with them. thanks.1.1KViews0likes6CommentsRe: New to us TV, Tahoe vs. Expedition vs. Durango?
modern family wrote: PUCampin wrote: We LOVE our 07 Expy EL, and our Pioneer 180CK (younger sibling to your TT). Here are the features we like so much about the Expy EL 1/2 Ton payload king. Our EL XLT 4x4 with leather, rear air and sunroof has 1672lbs payload. Other 1/2 SUV are less, some A LOT less. BE SURE to check the yellow sticker on the door sill of any SUV you look at. It will state exactly how much payload that vehicle with it's factory options can handle. 07 was first year for the EL, and also included the 6spd. EL comes with 3.73 gears standard, coupled with 4.17 first for an overall low of 15.55 That is lower than the old 4 speed with even 4.56!! It has no issue getting anything moving. The shifter allows locking into 1st, 2nd or 3rd. And yes, if you put in 3rd, it will stay in 3rd, even from a stop. In D the transmission will use 1-6, the OD button locks out 5th and 6th. 4th is actually a slight underdrive of 1.1:1, which gives a final ratio of 4.1. Yep, the same as towing in "direct" with the 4spd and 4.1 axle gears. A LOT of thought was put into the ratios for this transmission. The 5.4 while maybe not the most powerfull, is still 305/385 and is proven. I get 12-13mpg around town and 17mpg highway crusing. About 9mpg towing. 33.5 gallon gas tank means range is decent. As a family hauler the EL is awsome! Our 3 kids are all still in massive Britax carseats, all 3 fit snugly across the middle seat. A double and single B.O.B. live in the back of the EL with plenty of room for whatever else. The 3rd row is a 60/40 split. In about 2 minutes I can fold up the 40 section, move 1 carseat to the back, and have a spot for adult in the 2nd row with easy access to the carseat in 3rd row, with the 60 section still down I don't lose much cargo space. Thanks in part to the fully independant suspension the ride is smooth, luxury car smooth. And very quiet. With good tires there is very little noise inside, and you really only hear the engine when you get on it. The EL 3rd row has nearly as much legroom and seat height as the 2nd row. No complaints from 3rd row passengers. Even with 3rd row up we have room for 2 jogging strollers and several overnight bags. We took 8 people including our 3 kids and all our stuff to Vegas for a weekend. A bit tight but we made it. Fold down the 3rd row (you do NOT HAVE TO REMOVE IT like GM) and you have just over 5ft of floor and a full 4ft between the sides. Fold down the middle row (again, does not have to be removed) and you have just over 8 feet. I have brought home all kinds of sheet goods and lumber from Home Depot. I have also brought home a full size reclining sofa! Like said before, be sure you get the towing package. On the Expy EL this includes a bigger trans cooler, HD radiator, HD flashers, wiring for brake controller. For the Expy quick way to tell if has towing package is to look for the 7 pin plug on the back. If it is there, it has tow package, if just the 4 pin, no tow package. I believe for at least the 2007-2010 timeframe the Expy EL was the best of the bunch. Let me know if there is anything else you want to know about the EL. Good luck in your search! X3 for all this.. Our 2008 EXPY did very well for our first TT and the 5.4 is still running strong. Very important to find that tow package (FACTORY 7 pin in the back) the sales men don't usually know that kind of stuff. The fords are easy to look up the window sticker with all the options with the VIN if you really want to make sure of options. I would try to avoid the Ford air suspension as most have failed ( as did mine ) if it does fail, just bypass the air and replace with factory shocks, much cheaper and dependable X4 for all this... former '08 Expy Max (Canadian El) owner. Also had the air suspension and power deployable running boards. Never had any issue with the air suspension, but had the dealer check it every spring. :)... as for the power running boards, avoid them. If they fail it's $2K a side to replace in kind... driver's side started to actup just before I traded it in395Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ward's Best Engines 2014
ScottG wrote: I have to question how any engine can be "the best" when there aren't many of them on the road or any miles piled up to speak of. In some cases this isn't the first year they've made the list. 5th year in a row that the Audi 3.0L TFSI has made the list and the Honda engine has also made the list 5 times (not consecutively)...164Views0likes0CommentsF350 standard shocks or FX4 shocks
Hi all, Been looking at a new F350 Platinum and all the ones in my area seem to have the FX4 package. From a towing point, any downside or upside to the "upgraded" shocks in the FX4 package over the standard ones? Current TT is ~7000# loaded. Future TT (ones that wife and I like) would be in the 9-10K# (loaded and ready to roll). thanks.3KViews0likes9Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 19, 202544,029 Posts
