Wondering if I should have bought an AWD

[moraldk]

After buying the 2000 MS LTD and learning more about what was available and when has got me wondering if an AWD model might be a better choice for my mile long, gravel/dirt, 300' elevation climb driveway with lock-to-lock switchback turns. I travel it at least once a day and it eats cars.  The 2000 handles it nicely but the 4x4 binds a bit around the tight turns. Where my Audi won't so much as turn over a piece of gravel.  I don't know much about this AWD system, but I'm sure the center diff eliminates the binding, but does an AWD suffer much in gas mileage in comparison.  I just got 19.6 mpg with a lot of testing out how quick it runs with a/c etc., I was impressed.  Also, does this sytem have or did they offer an AWD tc that has 2wd selection, like the Montero?  Things I couldn't do without: 3.5L, moonroof

[ES_97Sport]

May 29, 2015 21:00:46 GMT -5 moraldk said:

After buying the 2000 MS LTD and learning more about what was available and when has got me wondering if an AWD model might be a better choice for my mile long, gravel/dirt, 300' elevation climb driveway with lock-to-lock switchback turns. I travel it at least once a day and it eats cars.  The 2000 handles it nicely but the 4x4 binds a bit around the tight turns. Where my Audi won't so much as turn over a piece of gravel.  I don't know much about this AWD system, but I'm sure the center diff eliminates the binding, but does an AWD suffer much in gas mileage in comparison.  I just got 19.6 mpg with a lot of testing out how quick it runs with a/c etc., I was impressed.  Also, does this sytem have or did they offer an AWD tc that has 2wd selection, like the Montero?  Things I couldn't do without: 3.5L, moonroof

Last mile for me is rough gravel @ 7000 ft in CO and I go from about 5800ft to 7K in four miles - most of which is in the last 1.5M. Lots of snow, ice, ruts, wash outs and holes. I have a '97 LS 4WD SAS on D44s w/ 35" M/Ts & locked front and rear, a '97 LS 4WD stock on 31" A/Ts & limited-slip rear diff AND a '03 Limited AWD 3.5L w/ limited-slip on A/Ts (one size over stock).

Truthfully, I would choose 4WD with good A/T tires over AWD. AWD doesn't get you ANYTHING in a Sport except the ability to use '4WD' on pavement. Totally pointless on gravel since you can just use 4WD.

In tight u-turn switch-backs you will see binding period. In 4WD OR AWD. What you're really seeing is not front to rear but left to right. Its something that really is noticeable in my big Sport with 35" M/Ts but its still there in both my stock '97 and '03.

The center diff equalizes between the front and rear - that's not going to make any different cranking it around a hair-pin.

Yes, the AWD sucks gas. I keep my Sports in good shape and my '03 is just peaking over 130K. It gets about the same mileage as my big Sport did with 35"s and the stock 3.0L. Little worse on long highway stretches. Prior to dumping the new Pro Rock 44 (which weights WAY more than a standard D44) in the big Sport but with the 3.5L conversion, they were about even up. My big Sport got better mileage on the long highway stretches to Moab and back. My '03 gets about 18 +/- .5 MPG with an almost exact 50/50 highway/town mix. My stock 3.0L '97 LS with an ARB bull bar and XD9500 winch gets between 19/20 MPG traveling the same routes, weather, etc.

AND, the AWD eats tires. I have Geolandar A/Ts on both little Sports. I have put the same mileage on both in the last several years. I had to replace my '03s tires a couple months ago. My '97s tires look like brand new. Replacing tires twice as fast gets expensive pretty fast.

My suggestion is stick with 4WD and get decent tires. They will make much more of a difference than AWD will.

No, the Montero Sport never came with a 2WD option with AWD. AWD - AWD, 4HI, 4LO and 4WD - 2WD, 4HI and 4LO.

BTW, the 3.0L gets better mileage by a good bit irrespective of whether you do the mods. On the other hand the 3.5L produces a LOT more torque - great in the mountains.

Edward

[moraldk]

Thanks Edward for your well informed opinion. Only in a forum will you hear from someone that has 3 vehicles to compare.

I've been getting very close to 20 mpg, even though I've been driving it like a teenager. I was getting misfire error codes so I dumped a can of B12 Chemtool in the gas tank. Within 20 miles I really noticed the difference in smoothness and power. No more error codes. I'm at 1/2 tank with 172 miles. I'll fill today for a new mpg figure.

Your info tells me I probably have the Sport I need and you probably saved me from selling and buying again without much satisfaction. I just cut a deal with the Tire Shop across the street from my business. I'm trading window screen perf film with highway graphics for a set of 4 265/75 16 Cooper Discoverer A/T3's. I wanted the Yoke Geo's, but they don't sell Yoke. Any comments for the Cooper's?

I'm also gonna have them crank up the front torsion bars to level out the Sport. Any comments on that?

[bdmontero]

I have a set of Cooper 265/75/16 ats and LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM. I've had them for about 3-4 years and still at 70% tread.

Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards

[ES_97Sport]

Jun 17, 2015 13:30:56 GMT -5 moraldk said:

Thanks Edward for your well informed opinion. Only in a forum will you hear from someone that has 3 vehicles to compare.

I've been getting very close to 20 mpg, even though I've been driving it like a teenager. I was getting misfire error codes so I dumped a can of B12 Chemtool in the gas tank. Within 20 miles I really noticed the difference in smoothness and power. No more error codes. I'm at 1/2 tank with 172 miles. I'll fill today for a new mpg figure.

Your info tells me I probably have the Sport I need and you probably saved me from selling and buying again without much satisfaction. I just cut a deal with the Tire Shop across the street from my business. I'm trading window screen perf film with highway graphics for a set of 4 265/75 16 Cooper Discoverer A/T3's. I wanted the Yoke Geo's, but they don't sell Yoke. Any comments for the Cooper's?

I'm also gonna have them crank up the front torsion bars to level out the Sport. Any comments on that?

I HAVE three, but I also drive my friends '98 LS and my X got our '99 Limited. Driven a dozen other rental Sports over the years. Most people aren't as crazy as me.

No worries. Glad to help.

I've never run the Coopers. Guys I know do, and BD pointed out he does. I like a shorter life, softer tire so I stick with the Geolandar A/Ts and M/Ts. I run mine year 'round here in CO and a softer, sticky tire works better in in the cold than a harder, longer life tire. IMHO, the Yoko does better off road than the Cooper, but that's a very subjective judgement. Not subjective - the Yoko self-ejects better than the Cooper. Guy that sells me my Yoko's runs Coopers and even he won't argue that.

If you already have a LS or XLS, I absolutely WOULD NOT get rid of it for an AWD model. SUVs are not sports cars so there's no good reason to have AWD since it doesn't give you anything 4WD-Hi doesn't. If you're hot-rodding around on the highway to the point you need AWD, you seriously need to rethink your driving habits. God help you if you have to replace the viscous coupling. Last I disused this with the techs it was about $3500. Lots of reasons to be happy with the standard 4WD versions.

I didn't go looking for mine. I ended up with my '03 AWD a few years ago when I snapped the transmission to transfer case housing in half on Elephant Hill south of Moab. Took three months to get it fixed and needed a driver and the only Sport in good shape available at the time was my '03. I would have MUCH preferred an LS. The '03 Limited AWD is almost unmodifiable because of AWD t-case assembly and all the electronic ties between engine/transmission/t-case. Hence why its stayed stock.

Edward