AWD info

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by Maritime

The Rav4 systems had a lock button you can use for slow offroad situations or deep snow etc. which you can swap over to the yaris for sure. I know the vibe matrtix didn't have those buttons.

Yes which locked the center diff 50/50 but only under 40km/h and with open front and rear differentials they performance addition doesn't do much for performance driving in high speed corners.

The amount of time and money this would take would be better spent with a WRX or sti purchase off the bat IMO

[myfirstyota]

Originally Posted by tmontague

Yes which locked the center diff 50/50 but only under 40km/h and with open front and rear differentials they performance addition doesn't do much for performance driving in high speed corners.

My truck and my old Suzuki grand vitara were both the dumb 4wd type. They're both "unstopable" in the snow.

Would a Subaru or Audi quattro awd system be better for performance year round? Well of course.

Basically, the goal is to take off from a stop, in snow, as easily as my old Suzuki (which had open diffs front and rear), and it doesnt destroy parts, I'd be happy. If I can drive it to work reliably, even better.

Im not looking for year round performance. Im just a gearhead looking to challenge himself and create something one of a kind in the process.

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by myfirstyota

My truck and my old Suzuki grand vitara were both the dumb 4wd type. They're both "unstopable" in the snow.

Would a Subaru or Audi quattro awd system be better for performance year round? Well of course.

Basically, the goal is to take off from a stop, in snow, as easily as my old Suzuki (which had open diffs front and rear), and it doesnt destroy parts, I'd be happy. If I can drive it to work reliably, even better.

Im not looking for year round performance. Im just a gearhead looking to challenge himself and create something one of a kind in the process.

Well then in that case, go nuts, I assumed you wanted this more as a performance project. All the power to you but damn this would be an expensive and ungodly amount of fabricating just for a better get up and go off the line. FWIW my '05 awd Vibe with snow tires does a fantastic job of taking off from a stop in snow but that is where the fun ends. My Subie OTOH is a completely different animal with many more smiles per gallon in the snow.

I wasn't referring to "dumb awd" systems as sub par per say, at least not in the off road, grip department. Hell, most true 4x4's are or were technically "dumb" systems. I meant for the systems that are not true 4x4 but of the awd variety that lack any "smart" sensor input they are pretty much useless for helping at all in cornering performance and even at moderately high speeds. But as you stated above this isn't necessarily what you're after so it doesn't really matter.

I agree that buying the whole driveline from an older model vehicle would be the best bet. You will just need to figure out a safe and sturdy way to mount the system and have it all properly aligned before it is welded in. Then obviously running the engine and trying to somehow have it still connect the the interior creature comforts. You will also be battling with a mechanical throttle vs drive by wire.

This sheds light on why many rather chose the path of making a rav4 handle like a yaris rather than converting a yaris to a rav4 (not specific to those vehicles). It is just simpler to adjust handling and suspension dynamics then a whole driveline.

Either way it would be an adventure!