power and mileage penalty for AWD

[stevetichy]

I have a 97 Explorer with V8 2wd and I want to get a 98-99 V8 EB with AWD. What kinda of mileage and power penalty should I expect for AWD instead of 2wd?
I have driven a couple and they don't seem to have the power of my 2wd even though they have far fewer miles on them.

 

[OneLever]

Are you sure it's a V8 with 2wd? Did it come that way stock?

 

[my pos mounty]

Theres always a slight parasitic loss when power is transmitted thru a component. That times two for the AWD with the addition of a transfercase and front differential and all the extra parts.
Then the power is split 65% to the rear and 35% front.

Most 2 wheel drive V8's were produced for areas of the country that do not get snow. Tougher to find them in areas that do.

 

[stevetichy]

Calif has many V8 2wd

In answer the the question about the 2wd V8 Explorer. Yes my 97 is V8 2wd. I bought it 50k miles ago to pull a horse trailer. Works great even at 175 k miles but no good towing off pavement and not very good in snow.

 

[OneLever]

not very good in snow.

Interesting. If you slap an AWD on that sucker you'd be suprised what it can do in the snow.

 

[swetrid]

I average between 15-17 mpg on my 5.0L AWD.

 

[imp]

Difference in perceived power may be due to different axle ratios between the two...........
imp