4 wheel drive systems

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Blue
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:22 am
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Vehicle: Outlander
Location: New Brunswick

4 wheel drive systems

Post by Blue »

Hi----I am new to the forum and the answer is probably buried in here somewhere but I would like some information.. I have only encountered one Delica out here in New Brunswick and it was brought in from B.C. We have an Outlander for a family car and a Ford F-150 for a work vehicle.

I would like to pick up a Delica to do up as a camper van.

I used to be a Subaru fan but when they went away from what I considered a real 4 wheel drive with a low range transfer case and started running an all wheel drive set up I found them disappointing for slow going in rough trail conditions.

The older Delicas I gather were standard transmission with a low range transfer case and what I would consider to be a real 4 wheel drive set up. The newer models I understand have gone over to an all wheel drive set up. Am I correct in this understanding or not ?
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FalcoColumbarius
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Vehicle: Delica; Chamonix GLX ('92 P25W)
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Re: 4 wheel drive systems

Post by FalcoColumbarius »

Hi Blue,
Welcome to Delica Canada :M

I've sent you a PM, be sure to check your inbox.

One thread that you might find useful is by someone in a similar circumstance to your own: Drive train

I highly recommend reading through the Delica Canada Technical section, as well as using either of the two club search engines.
We look forward to hearing how your journey through Delicadom transpires.
Happy trails... smiles.

Falco.
Sent from my smart pad, using a pen.

Seek Beauty... Image Good Ship Miss Lil' Bitchi

...... Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. ~ Japanese Proverb
Feds
Posts: 314
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:16 am
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Vehicle: 1996 Royal Exceed (in transit)
Location: Sunny Fenwick

Re: 4 wheel drive systems

Post by Feds »

You are half-way correct.

Older (L300, toaster-on-wheels) models have 4wd with low range with NO centre differential. When in 4wd, the transfer case locks the front and rear driveshafts together. You have 3 modes of operation: 2wd, 4-hi and 4-low. Neither 4wd mode should be used on dry pavement.

Newer (L400, minivan-on-steroids) models have 4x4 with low range AND a centre differential, so you can lock the front and rear driveshafts together in low or high, AND you can run AWD-mode in high range. You end up with 4 modes of operation: 2wd, 4-hi, 4-low, and AWD. You can run AWD on dry pavement as much as you like.

This all gets complicated by the fact that mitsubishi calls AWD "4H" and 4-hi "4HLc" and 4-lo "4LLc", but the short answer is that the later vans are "real 4x4's" AND subaru-style AWD at the same time.
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