2wd VS 4wd Auto on acceleration

[MaverickDaKid]

This is a question for all those Control Trac owners out there.

Just wondering do you guys feel a difference in acceleration between the 2wd mode and the 4wd Auto mode?

If so which do you feel is better. I know in the rain the 4wd Auto will be the thing that makes or breaks the race, but how about during dry conditions?

 

[Texplorer]

Well of coarse the 4wd will launch better than the 2wd in rain but why in the heck are you racing in the rain anyway??? The only diff between the two would be the launch, you will grab better in 4wd if your rear wheels slip.

 

[jssong]

AWD all the way

 

[izackary]

not necessarily...I'm going to go out on a limb and say rwd is quicker, because the difference between 0-60 standing starts and 5-60 rolling starts is basically getting some wheelspin. with all 4 wheels providing power, there is no wheelspin and it bogs the engine for a bit. it also lifts weight off the front where a good amount of power is going, deminishing, um launch quickness... Performed right, i say rear-wheel drive is the quickest.

edit: can't forget rwd is also a couple hundred pounds lighter!

 

[Texplorer]

I agree with you that a 2wd is quicker and lighter but he is trying to see which setting is better on the same Explorer, 2wd or 4wd auto. So the weight would be the same. It all depends on the road serface your are launching from.

 

[izackary]

I gotcha, but for anyone to try this with Control-Trac would need to have a switch installed to defeat it, like I have, and others have as well. Maybe I should try some stopwatch runs in either mode. Any "Control-Trac owners" as we know (unless I'm confusing the different 4WD systems over the years) need this mod to know how each mode stands out in the same vehicle.

 

[Texplorer]

The 95-96 guys (like me) have the 2wd/4Auto/4low switch so we can test them both out. I have only tried a launch on a dirt road in both but of coarse the 4wd was better.

 

[MaverickDaKid]

95-96 Have the 2wd, 4wd Auto and 4wd low stock. No need for a mod.

I am going to test it out today on a straight road and with a timer and see which is best. I think last time I tried it with 4wd Auto, it felt a little quicker... but I could be wrong since I didn't time it.

And of course on grounds where traction is not 100% the 4wd Auto will kick in and save the day. When I hold down the throttle and I am in gravel the truck won't move for a long time, just keeps on peeling out.

 

[Texplorer]

For me, either one would be the same since I cant spin my tires on pavement.