AWD Conversion How-To

[GasGuzzler]

Not sure when the last time this parish fellow drove a 10 second truck on the street but I'd really be willing to bet if he drove that blue thing on the street in real life he would NOT cruise around in 4HI because it makes no sense. Reread the topic, locked in 4HI makes no sense on the street with turns and stuff.

To other people: The front DS spins almost all the time no matter which system you have.....kinda like a truck with cold trans fluid WILL move forward if started in Neutral. Here's another tidbit...4WD and AWD is NOT the same. There is even more than one type of AWD just on GM trucks.

Anything else?

[Faze2183]

cant wait todo this... been looking for a awd tcase...

[Red03SilSS]

Nice Write Up Zeake! You'll love AWD! What stall do you have?

[zeake]

Thanks to all.

I have a vigilante 2600. FLT Level 5.

[SCIV]

Nice work! Time to find an autocross!!

[C-WAY]

This is my Thread I need to start paying attention to this cause Im about to do this!

[DigitalBoy0101]

Truck looks killer man, I love your paint color.

AWD makes a whole lot more sense on the street than 4WD. Offroad, it has to be 4WD.

Here's a couple articles explaining the differences between AWD and 4WD I found with a quick Google search:

The main differences between AWD and 4WD:
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/diff4WD_AWD.html

If AWD is so great, why do most trucks have 4WD?
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/awd.html

Let's not forget, the (street) performance-oriented trucks GM has done have mostly been AWD that I can recall. Silvy SS, Syclone, Typhoon. I guess the '90s 454SS was only 2WD. I'm sure I'm forgetting some that will prove me wrong LOL.

If your truck is a DD, it also depends on the weather where you live as to which system is best. What works great in Texas year-round wouldn't be worth a hill of beans here in Iowa during blizzards. Even with 4WD you'll get in trouble if you drive like an idiot. I've pulled several 4WDs out of ditches with my trusty tow chain....though far more "I get 50MPG OMG" cars. Lot of good that does you sitting in a ditch!

AWD has its place, and 4WD has its place. For the street performance niche, I'd personally pick AWD.

*edit* Since my truck is my DD, I'm also gonna limit my (eventual) power goal to 400-450HP. Any more than that would be downright dangerous in the winter IMO. If I want to go above that, it will have to be with nitrous so I don't have to fight it in the winter.

[Hot-Dog]

i would personally prefer a selectable 4x4 because the only time you really need the traction is in a drag race, no turning there. but i suppose if you want to drive your truck like its a sports car then awd would be better.

[zeake]

There it is.

[Hot-Dog]

a little truck like that probably handles like a car anyways right.