AWD power transfer

[Loboheeler]

Does anybody know what the applied power ratio is between front and rear with a 5.0 AWD system on dry pavement under light load? Is that affected by turning?

 

[imp]

Does anybody know what the applied power ratio is between front and rear with a 5.0 AWD system on dry pavement under light load? Is that affected by turning?

Ford Manuals claim approximately 65% rear, 35% front, I've heard other numbers, heard this disputed, discussed, never really settled in any definitive way. Since front wheel power is delivered through a viscous coupling, like a torque converter, some power is lost as heat, especially if large rotational speed differences between front and rear differentials occur.

At any rate, given the design, the ratio you ask about will never be fixed, nor will it ever be 50-50.

Why do you want to know? imp

 

[Loboheeler]

Ford Manuals claim approximately 65% rear, 35% front, I've heard other numbers, heard this disputed, discussed, never really settled in any definitive way. Since front wheel power is delivered through a viscous coupling, like a torque converter, some power is lost as heat, especially if large rotational speed differences between front and rear differentials occur.

At any rate, given the design, the ratio you ask about will never be fixed, nor will it ever be 50-50.

Why do you want to know? imp

Thanks for the reply. New to the Explorer coming from an Astro. In those with AWD the front power transfer is also pretty high in normal conditions, and the fuel economy is 3 MPG less than a 2WD. I was just curious.

Too early to fully know but the fuel use seems reasonable considering the ample power. Friends say the 4.0 w/o a 2WD option are not very good compared to what I got in the 2WD Astro. They were EPA rated at 17/21 and it could do that on good gas.