AWD on Arizona switchbacks?

[Marco]

Dear All,

I apologize in advance if this topic has already been covered, but I could not find it.
I am planning to drive on some of the most beautiful Arizona highways with lots of switchbacks and hairpin turns, dry pavement. What is your opinion on AWD on dry pavement on switchbacks and hairpin turns? Would it be better than 2WD?

On a different topic, could you recommend a tyre/wheel specialist in the Phoenix area? I mean a real specialist who knows Raptors.

I thank you in advance for your courtesy.

 

[smurfslayer]

Raptor AWD is on demand, unlike the subaru full time system. it’s pretty quick to react but you can still break things loose.

AWD is fine for this. Bonus points for sport mode, or manual shifting.

 

[1BAD454SSv2]

SDHQ in Gilbert for tires and wheels .

 

[Braaaaptor]

I find even in 4A, the steering becomes very stiff especially at low speeds. Anything more acute than 90 degrees turns into a workout. For tight switchbacks I'd leave it in 2wd, manual and sport mode and RIP to your tires.

 

[Marco]

Thank you for your replies, they are very helpful.
In one or two weekends I shall be driving from Clifton to Alpine (Devil's Highway) and I shall try both. Plenty of hairpin turns to compare AWD vs RWD.
Thank you also for the shop in Gilbert: I shall go and check soon.

 

[B E N]

Running it in 4x4 on dry pavement isn't a great idea. If you have a 13 or newer you have a front limited slip, if you're in 4wd its going to want to lock up and push. Going to be really hard on tires, hard on front end parts. It really isn't neccasary either, let the front wheels do the steering, and rears do the power. Truck is going to be leaning dangerously before you ever see the advantage of 4wd on pavement.

If you were talking about a dirt road it would be a different story.

 

[letsgetthisdone]

I find even in 4A, the steering becomes very stiff especially at low speeds. Anything more acute than 90 degrees turns into a workout. For tight switchbacks I'd leave it in 2wd, manual and sport mode and RIP to your tires.

Running it in 4x4 on dry pavement isn't a great idea. If you have a 13 or newer you have a front limited slip, if you're in 4wd its going to want to lock up and push. Going to be really hard on tires, hard on front end parts. It really isn't neccasary either, let the front wheels do the steering, and rears do the power. Truck is going to be leaning dangerously before you ever see the advantage of 4wd on pavement.

If you were talking about a dirt road it would be a different story.

4A on the Jenny locks the front hubs (which is why steering gets heavier) and uses a computer controlled clutch pack in the transfercase to send power to the front as needed. Its sort of like the AWD system in a GTR. Perfectly fine to use on dry pavement.

That being said, you don't have the horsepower to need AWD on the pavement. Leave it in 2wd. Now, if its raining, 4A is going to be the mode you want.

 

[amREADY]

I do a lot of mountain driving. Some high speed 'twisties', some normal highway stuff, some really steep, and logging roads that can be really steep and have tight switchbacks.

For normal roads and driving I use 2WD.

AWD for steep uphill, or moderate uphill and switchbacks. It saves burning the rear tires by having the fronts help the truck 'up' and 'around' the corners. Down it doesn't matter. Not that I switch between AWD and 2WD constantly, but as a general rule, that's how I do it.

4WD for snow, sand, slippery mud. But I switch to AWD for multipoint turns. It binds up and makes turning around in tight spots harder and harder on the truck.

 

[evoke35]

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