I compared my 08 Grand Cherokee AWD and 00 Ford Explorer AWD this past week with ranges from 12-20 inches of snow. The Jeep being very similar if not identical to the Ford in F&R ratio split, with the Jeep AWD being controlled "electronically" and Ford AWD being controlled for all intents and purposes with the VC, being "mechanical."
I noticed they both worked about equally effective with the Jeep seeming to react slightly quicker at transferring more power up front or at least being slightly better in its reaction. Now my TC could be slightly worn or if anything just the electronic system of an 8 year newer vehicle being a little quicker to react than a much older vehicle with mechanical means but it was nice to see the comparison and feel the differences.
I am not saying the Jeep system is "better." You could make an argument that it also has a higher chance of something going wrong, mechanical setup being much more reliable, etc but like I said it was just cool to feel the difference and compare the two.
I say that because both vehicles would have "pretty much" gone to the same places off road regardless of the brand. Way to many variables to say for sure I know, but I certainly wouldn't be looking down on the Ford AWD system in the explorer when comparing apples to apples. Is it as good as a true 50/50 split manual transfer case with manual locking hubs? Eh probably not, but it wasn't developed to replace that system either rather just to be another option. There is something to be said for being able to just hop in, put it in drive and go versus having to decide if the roads are bad enough to warrant 4x4, or get out and lock manual hubs just in case, or in case anyone else in your family uses the vehicle as well. Especially when it comes to the woman, trying to explain it all and what to do just makes her freak out. They certainly aren't big issues to me as I have both types of system, but it is a fair point to make for a lot of people.
