Ditchplains1
FRF Addict
64 bit,
Good move. I've had many 4wd vehicles/46 years, and driven thousands of miles off road...95% in sand. The Torsen in the Raptor has felt the best and definitely more pull in soft sand/off road. I've driven 4wd trucks with manual locking hubs with open diffs and never felt as confident as with the Torsen. I've also driven AWD Audi's and Subaru's and Isuzu Vehicross'. The Torsen is much better than an open diff; and allows steering that is nearly impossible with a fully locked diff; (I have driven trucks with locking diffs in deep muddy conditions, and they are almost impossible to turn).
jaz13,
99% of vehicles are sold with open diffs because an open diff allows the two drive wheels to turn at differing speeds. Driving straight this is unimportant. Turning it is VERY important as the outside wheel turns faster than the inside wheel. If the front wheels are locked in a turn one, (or both), of the wheels will slip causing excess wear of the tires, and uneven loading of the drivetrain. Off road locked front wheels will try to pull straight as both tires are pulling evenly...even when turned. Thus the vehicle will be much harder to turn, and take a greater distance to complete a turn.
An open front diff will allow the wheels to turn at different speeds, with traction being limited by the tire with the least traction. In effect it is really 3 wheel drive with a locked rear, or two wheel drive with two open diffs, (one front and one rear). In a straight line in even conditions, one wheel pushing and one pulling is more than sufficient to get you out of most predicaments. Having been stuck in sand enough times in 4 wheel drive with one front and one rear wheel spinning, being able to lock the rear, and having the Torsen limiting slip in the front makes a world of difference off road.
Lastly 99% of vehicles with open diffs are solely driven on road...
Eddie
Good move. I've had many 4wd vehicles/46 years, and driven thousands of miles off road...95% in sand. The Torsen in the Raptor has felt the best and definitely more pull in soft sand/off road. I've driven 4wd trucks with manual locking hubs with open diffs and never felt as confident as with the Torsen. I've also driven AWD Audi's and Subaru's and Isuzu Vehicross'. The Torsen is much better than an open diff; and allows steering that is nearly impossible with a fully locked diff; (I have driven trucks with locking diffs in deep muddy conditions, and they are almost impossible to turn).
jaz13,
99% of vehicles are sold with open diffs because an open diff allows the two drive wheels to turn at differing speeds. Driving straight this is unimportant. Turning it is VERY important as the outside wheel turns faster than the inside wheel. If the front wheels are locked in a turn one, (or both), of the wheels will slip causing excess wear of the tires, and uneven loading of the drivetrain. Off road locked front wheels will try to pull straight as both tires are pulling evenly...even when turned. Thus the vehicle will be much harder to turn, and take a greater distance to complete a turn.
An open front diff will allow the wheels to turn at different speeds, with traction being limited by the tire with the least traction. In effect it is really 3 wheel drive with a locked rear, or two wheel drive with two open diffs, (one front and one rear). In a straight line in even conditions, one wheel pushing and one pulling is more than sufficient to get you out of most predicaments. Having been stuck in sand enough times in 4 wheel drive with one front and one rear wheel spinning, being able to lock the rear, and having the Torsen limiting slip in the front makes a world of difference off road.
Lastly 99% of vehicles with open diffs are solely driven on road...
Eddie
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