Something Random

[Bozo]

Big difference between AWD and 4WD.
AWD makes power available to all four tires but the one that is easyest to turn gets the most. Most systems monitor the tire speed and transfer the power away from the slipping tire. If you could get 3 tires on dry pavement, and one on ice, the one on the ice would spin, without some controller. Mercedes applys the brake to the slipping tire forcing the power to one of the other tires. This system shuts off above 20 MPH. Toyota has a fluid clutch between the front and rear axles. The front is driven at ~80% power. When a front tire starts to slip, the fluid thickens and applies power to the rear tires. Each manufacturer has their own method.
4WD usually has a lever or switch that the driver uses to put the vehicle in 4WD. This locks the front and rear axles together so at least two tires have power applied to them all the time. My Ranger pickup has a limited slip rear axle. Both rear tires have power applied to them all the time. This can be a real handful on wet and/or slippery roads. The truck can get sideways real fast. But, when I engage 4WD, it amazing what it will go through. (on the flip side..you have never been stuck until you get a 4WD stuck. It gives a whole new meaning to 'stuck')
There is a lot of marketing spin about AWD. Have you ever noticed that all the TV commercials about a vehicle with AWD only show them on hard packed snow? Never plowing through it.
Tires on AWD vehicles are not the best for snow either. Most tend to be some type of wide tire. Thses tires push the snow up in front of them, instead of cutting through the snow. Think of a farm tractor, tall and narrow tires. (where I live, they use farm tractors to plow the snow when it gets deep. Plow trucks get stuck.)
Some vehicles have a combination system. Jeep for one. Power is available to all four tires during normal conditions (like AWD). But, they have a lever that allows the driver lock the front and rear axles together for real 4WD.

Bozo :joker:

 

[LOST6200]

Thanks for the explanations. Hoevewre, theb clerk looked likje she was abotu 16 years old, unlikely to understand the mechancis. The had no 4wd or awd vehicles and were be just making a lame excuse to ignore the reserveadtion.

 

[Clocker]

GM trucks are the only vehicles available with the G80 locking differential. They are definitely the way to go.

Even 4WD vehicles with limited slip differentials are terrible in comparison. Video demonstration below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8nAbg5suFw

 

[Bozo]

Toyota trucks were available with a lockable rear axle (driver selectable) in 2001.
The Ranger pickups have the Torsen rear axle available since 2001.
Detroit Locker rear axles have been available for years.

Bozo :joker:

 

[Bozo]

Did a little research. Seems it is a Detroit Locker (made by Eaton Corp) in the GM trucks. It' option code is G80. Eaton makes two models. The standard mechanical unit and a electrically engaged unit.
They have been available for almost 40 years. Back in 1967 they were the prefered rear for street/strip drag racers.
A relative had one in his '67(?) Chevy and in a 1975 F250 4X4.
NASCAR has been using them for years.

Great rear no matter what it is in.

Bozo :joker:

 

[Clocker]

Toyota trucks were available with a lockable rear axle (driver selectable) in 2001.
The Ranger pickups have the Torsen rear axle available since 2001.
Detroit Locker rear axles have been available for years.

Bozo :joker:

I meant real full-size pickups, not toy trucks like the Ranger, Canyon or any other small pickup.

I believe Detroit lockers are only after market installed, not OEM.

I don't believe a locking differential is available on any current Toyota pickup trucks.

 

[Clocker]

Also, Detroit Lockers (as well as the G80) are made by Eaton but the G80 is NOT a Detroit Locker. Detroit Lockers are locked all the time.

G80 is not.

The differential is set up with a flyweight governor that responds to differences in wheel speeds, and disc packs that are mounted between the side gear and the case. When one wheel is spinning substantially faster than the other, the governor spins rapidly, causing the flyweight to open. That flyweight then catches on a latching bracket and the lockup process begins. During lockup, a self-energized clutch system causes a cam plate to ramp against a side gear. This ramping action compresses those disc packs mentioned earlier. The ramping continues until both axles - and therefore both wheels - are spinning at the same speed.

It locks only when required because locked differentials are typically noisy.

 

[Bozo]

Also, Detroit Lockers (as well as the G80) are made by Eaton but the G80 is NOT a Detroit Locker. Detroit Lockers are locked all the time.

G80 is not.

It locks only when required because locked differentials are typically noisy.

Detroit Lockers are not locked all the time. You wouldn't be able to go around corners very well.
And, your description of the G80 is exactly how a Detroit Locker works.

Good road test:http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/stories/eaton/page1.html

Bozo :joker:

 

[Clocker]

DETROIT LOCKERS
Locking differentials, in effect, lock the two drive wheels together -- somewhat like "spools" that solidly connect the axles together. When powering straight ahead, engine power is equally delivered to both drive wheels. However, unlike spools that will not differentiate when turning and are therefore not streetable, lockers allow full wheel differentiation when cornering. Unlike the poor traction characteristics of open or limited-slip/posi differentials, when one wheel looses traction, locking differentials deliver engine power, not to the slipping wheel, but to the wheel with the highest amount of traction. Although locking differentials deliver excellent traction output and allow full wheel differentiation when turning, they are notoriously harsh and noisy. Disengagement is abrupt, you can hear a ratcheting noise when cornering depending on the background engine noise, engagement is delayed, and significant backlash (slop) is added to the driveline.

Just quoting what I've read at a credible source:

http://www.chrismans.com/AskSpankyDiff.html

 

[Clocker]

Here's another cool video showing the benefit of the G80.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGlacQlBGcQ

Here's a better description of the difference between a G80 and a Detroit Locker:

Detroit Locker - contrary to popular opinion, this device is locked all the time when travelling straight and only unlocks when it detects a torque
difference across the axle that indicates cornering on a hard grippy surface
is occuring. On low friction surfaces it is locked all the time. Ones of an
older design are noisy and clunky on the road, newer ones are smoother due
to a redesign. Advantages are no compressor etc and no driver intervention.
Disadvantages are often clunky road manners and increased tyre wear on road,
though new ones are better. Very poor in snow and ice where a conventional
open diff or unlocked ARB mean that with one wheel spinning and one static,
the static one anchors the vehicle laterally. With a detroit (or locked ARB)
you tend to slide sideways off the road on ice and handling can be tricky
even on wet tarmac.

G80 is unlocked unless it detects a slip and will only stay engaged/locked up to 25mph.

 

[LunarMist]

Is all that stuff really needed for driving on pavement even in snow? A guy at work has one of those Subaru type of station wagons with just normal (rather small) tires and drove over some pretty snowy/icy roads, passing stuck vehicles without much problems. It made me nervous though.

 

[Clocker]

More traction and efficient torque distribution is always good. You never think you need it until you need it.

 

[fb]

Is all that stuff really needed for driving on pavement even in snow? A guy at work has one of those Subaru type of station wagons with just normal (rather small) tires and drove over some pretty snowy/icy roads, passing stuck vehicles without much problems. It made me nervous though.

The Subarus are OK in snow. A friend of mine has an old Subaru Pick Up with 13" tyres which he drove around in a field with quite deep snow together with the Swedish military classic Volvo Valp. The military truck got stuck after a while but the Subaru continued to drive around it...

 

[Pradeep]

I meant real full-size pickups, not toy trucks like the Ranger, Canyon or any other small pickup.

I believe Detroit lockers are only after market installed, not OEM.

I don't believe a locking differential is available on any current Toyota pickup trucks.

The 07 Tundra comes standard with an auto locking rear diff. The Nissan Titan has an electronic switchable locking rear diff, but they've had so many problems with undersized/turdy brakes that I would never touch one. I think you have to go to the Sierra 2500 to get an auto locking rear diff standard. With the 1500 it's an available option.

 

[Clocker]

Toyota's website states it is only a limited slip differential.
http://www.toyota.com/tundra/specs.html


According to Edmunds, a Locking Differential is not available on the Tundra.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=119281/pageId=118461

I do stand corrected on the Titan having an available locking diff., though. Titan has some of the worst quality numbers in the industry (I've been told by members of the GM Full size truck team). Sales of the Titan seem to reflect that.

When I was at the Autoshow, GM should have paid someone to slam the Tundra tailgate all day long. That thing is a rattle trap!

 

[Clocker]

BTW, the G80 locking differential is a $295 option, so it's a box that is easy to check off.

 

[LunarMist]

So if I decide to become a construction worker, then I should buy a big Chevy truck, is that it? But if I have to move up to New Hampshire for 2-3 years, what would be a reasonable car for a normal driver?

 

[Clocker]

IMO, if you're not going off-road, any car with FWD and a good set of snow tires is probably fine 95% of the time unless you have a tendency to go out before the plows can get out.

 

[LunarMist]

Storm whips paraglider to heights of 32,000 ft.

That is crazy and very lucky. Don't they check the detailed weather reports?

 

[Clocker]

Yeah that was totally nutz!!

 

[Clocker]

Men making fools of themselves but having a great time...

160MB video clip.

C

 

[Handruin]

What the F where you doing? :-D

 

[CougTek]

Which one was you?

Seriously, I'm glad I'm no longer limited on bandwidth.

 

[Clocker]

lol I was recording the video with my Casio Exilim.

 

[Handruin]

Come on man! You're the guy with the backwards hat, no?

 

[ddrueding]

"unable to render"...what codec do I need?

 

[Clocker]

Nothing special, it is just an avi created by my camera. I'm on a relatively fresh WinXP install and I have not installed any codecs. Don't even think I have divx installed... Maybe try re-downloading? I'm using Windows Media Player to play it.

 

[Corvair]

Men making fools of themselves but having a great time...

160MB video clip.

What the hell is this, a Republican caucus or something?

 

[ddrueding]

Ahh...you say its 160MB, my version is only 53MB, looks like a borked download.

 

[time]

Storm whips paraglider to heights of 32,000 ft.

An update on the Chinese paraglider who was killed by the same storm:
The post mortem showed he was struck by lightning as he was being sucked up, at the 6km level according to his nav equipment - the woman who survived was even luckier than you thought.

I note that according to Wikipedia, paragliders are categorized as ascending parachutes! Definitely not my cup of tea, thanks.

 

[Will Rickards]

That video was disturbing.

 

[Mercutio]

Why do we have all these threads about boring stuff like cars and absolutely none about porn?

 

[LunarMist]

If you are a true boron like me, not interested in the pornogs or the cars, then what?

 

[LunarMist]

That video was disturbing.

I don't see anything and the download never gets to the 160Mb mark. Based on the comments, perhaps it is better not to view the videos.

 

[Mercutio]

If you are a true boron like me, not interested in the pornogs or the cars, then what?

We also have camera and efficient lighting threads!

I cannot fathom being uninterested in porn. Naked womens are a reason to continue drawing breath and I am frankly not likely to get any closer than the downloadable sort of naked womens.

I will say, though, that finding good porn is not easy.

 

[ddrueding]

Good porn is indeed a challenge. Particularly if you have a specific target you are aiming for.

Certain things are difficult to avoid:

• Cheesy music
• Fake moaning/talking
• Poor camera work
• Dialog of any sort other than a brief interview with the star before/after(optional)

These things are really difficult to avoid if you are looking for longer scenes including Male/Female couples (traditional stuff).

 

[Handruin]

I don't see anything and the download never gets to the 160Mb mark. Based on the comments, perhaps it is better not to view the videos.

Silly males wearing bras in their boxers and dancing out onto the floor where people are clapping/laughing/cheering. It's odd, but nothing I would have thought to be that bad.

 

[Handruin]

We also have camera and efficient lighting threads!

I cannot fathom being uninterested in porn. Naked womens are a reason to continue drawing breath and I am frankly not likely to get any closer than the downloadable sort of naked womens.

I will say, though, that finding good porn is not easy.

• Car threads = work safe, none offensive (relatively if no naked females are shown on the cars)
• Lighting threads = work safe, none offensive
• Camera threads = work safe, none offensive
• Porn threads = not work safe, and offensive to some people (including younger kids who may read here), also questionable with the hosting company when referencing/hosting said material.

 

[ddrueding]

good point /hides

 

[LunarMist]

I cannot fathom being uninterested in porn. Naked womens are a reason to continue drawing breath and I am frankly not likely to get any closer than the downloadable sort of naked womens.

I will say, though, that finding good porn is not easy.

Of course teen boys live in the fantasyland, but I don't quite see the obsession for an adult. I mean after a while it would get boring - naked women are basically all the same. Since I never order the pornos, maybe there is something missing.