4HI conversion, it works!

[orion]

I followed the Planetisuzoo article and now have 4Hi. this was a very easy mod to do. it only took 2 hours total. now I'm just drooling for the first big snow storm. i did a search and found a few people say they were going to do this but no one posted back to say they did it. am i the only one? well, sorry no pics as my camera has died. I'll try to get some later.

[nfpgasmask]

So wait, are you just saying you created a toggle for the TOD?

Bart

[ZEUS]

I gotsta try that! So with the fan mod and the 4hi mod behind you, what's next?

[orion]

not just a switch http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm/109...............and as for what's next, you'll see, you'l all see! HA HA HAHA HA HA(mad scientist laugh)

[ZEUS]

Ah crap! My VX is a '99. I read that article before and was scared off because of the minor differences between years - I'm prob'ly just being a lazy whiner!

[Rogue]

I followed the Planetisuzoo article and now have 4Hi. this was a very easy mod to do. it only took 2 hours total. now I'm just drooling for the first big snow storm. i did a search and found a few people say they were going to do this but no one posted back to say they did it. am i the only one? well, sorry no pics as my camera has died. I'll try to get some later.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge in this subject,
Does this mean you can now switch between 2WD and 4WD?
If so does the car seem quicker and/or more efficient in 2WD mode?
Thanks
Joe

[etlsport]

i'm not positive, orion may have to chime in, but i think what it does is it tells the computer that the wheels are slipping.. so it keeps the power distribution 50/50 at all times front to rear (instead of normal 15/85 and changing with conditions) but it does this without gearing down into 4wheel low so you can still maintain higher speeds... you wouldnt feel any difference switching to 2wd because the front wheels would still be connected to the drive line, you would have to remove the connections to make the front wheels truely free spinning to realize any sort of performance or economy gain from running it as a rear wheel drive

[ZEUS]

i'm not positive, orion may have to chime in, but i think what it does is it tells the computer that the wheels are slipping.. so it keeps the power distribution 50/50 at all times front to rear (instead of normal 15/85 and changing with conditions) but it does this without gearing down into 4wheel low so you can still maintain higher speeds... you wouldnt feel any difference switching to 2wd because the front wheels would still be connected to the drive line, you would have to remove the connections to make the front wheels truely free spinning to realize any sort of performance or economy gain from running it as a rear wheel drive

BINGO!

[Techy-D]

Thanks Orion,

I was thinking about that myself, but hadn't seen that link. The reason I was wondering, was about low speed when coming up out of a steep gravel driveway, it wouldn't pull in the front because I was going to slow (untill it spun and grabbed hard).

QUESTION: Does this leave the front locked in even at very slow speeds? (Is there some safety in the Transfer case itself that drops it out at low speeds or was it the controller making that decision?)

[MrCrowley]

Another advantage is it wont "bang" in and out of TOD which is alarming and damaging to your drivetrain in certain loose traction situations.

[orion]

here's how it works, when you hit the switch it puts 12 volts to the clutch, giving you 50/50 split. as long as the switch is on, the clutch stays on. the TOD sees the two resisters and thinks all is well, no codes, no problems. the resisters act as a fake clutch, so if the TOD wants to add traction, like on hard acceleration, the voltage goes through the resisters to ground. TOD wont see wheel slip so you will only see the first bar light up. with the switch off the TOD works normally. this does not give you 2WD. if you read the last part of the article the author had no problems with the transfer case, remember he did this with a trooper that can switch to 2WD, so he has to be in TOD mode for it to work. I am thinking of swapping to the trooper transfer case, TOD computer and switches to get 2WD. from my research it looks to be the best way.

[ZEUS]

I am thinking of swapping to the trooper transfer case, TOD computer and switches to get 2WD. from my research it looks to be the best way.

Ah HA! BUSTED!! Now we know what you have planned next! I had that in mind too when I was considering the SAS but stopped short of the entire project... it is so much easier to SAY you are going to do things than it is to do them, ya know! At least for me, anyway... you might actually do it!

[Triathlete]

Orion, sounds like you may be doing some of my homework for me. Does the Tod send any signals to the anything other than the TOD system (the tranny, engine managment)? I ask because I want to swap my TOD for a manual T Case.

[Rogue]

here's how it works, when you hit the switch it puts 12 volts to the clutch, giving you 50/50 split. as long as the switch is on, the clutch stays on. the TOD sees the two resisters and thinks all is well, no codes, no problems. the resisters act as a fake clutch, so if the TOD wants to add traction, like on hard acceleration, the voltage goes through the resisters to ground. TOD wont see wheel slip so you will only see the first bar light up. with the switch off the TOD works normally. this does not give you 2WD. if you read the last part of the article the author had no problems with the transfer case, remember he did this with a trooper that can switch to 2WD, so he has to be in TOD mode for it to work. I am thinking of swapping to the trooper transfer case, TOD computer and switches to get 2WD. from my research it looks to be the best way.

Ok, two part question. What are the benefits to a 50/50 all time type of set-up? Meaning in real world driving situations, when would you feel the pleasures of 50/50? When would it be ideal? Where would you use it, on daily driven roads or in the dirt?
Second part of the question, let’s say one was to do the intelligent thing and switch to a TROOPER Transfer case. Would it be a simple plug-N-play type situation, where you have a switch to go from 4wd to 2wd? What would unlock the hubs to make the front wheels spin freely? Would the TOD display on the dash work?
Just a few questions that could motivate someone to do the switch over.
The reason for all this is really quite simple, I drive a 2002 LWB trooper at times and being in 2wd in regular driving conditions makes the vehicle very "drivable" and pleasant. It feels light and it is also QUICK!
There is also the pleasure of skidding into turns etc. then switch into 4wd and rockcrawling….
The motor in the VX is strong and powerful on a small truck like the VX yet we do not feed the pep it has in TOD mode.
Anyone driven an Infinity FX35? The motor has the same general specs as ours yet it would be a dream to keep up to one of those.

[MrCrowley]

I may be mistaken on some of my recollections, but I think the difference with the T-cases has to do with an added function or unit between the tranny and T-case for the TOD on/off. However, if mods are going to be done, you might as well try to do something else. Plus, old Troopers for years had automatic hubs for front axle disengage/engage. Drive forward in 4wd they engaged. go to 2wd back up several feet and they disengaged. They werent the stoutest hubs, but also one of the aftermarket companies warn?, superwinch?, etc. had an auto hub that also you could get out and manually engage for "rougher" use. For what its worth to ya.