Does Sand / Mud & Ruts mode lock AWD?

[austintown512]

Do these modes "lock" in AWD. I read how you should not use them for drive pavement due to drivetrain binding. Which makes me thing they lock in AWD regardless of wheel slip. This is what I want. I go camping and fishing on a 4x4 only beach and it is a 60 mile loose sandy drive. I have seen other AWD system overheat due to the constant engaging / disengaging. Some AWD systems even say not to use it in loose traction situations for than 15 miles. Anyone able to confirm this?

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[FX4M0]

Don't think any mode locks the AWD system. Given it's not a true 4wd system, it will never be 'locked'. I do think sand mode allows the most wheel spin across all 4 wheels, where mud/ruts does more individual wheel braking to send power to the wheels with power.

 

[The Weatherman]

Do these modes "lock" in AWD. I read how you should not use them for drive pavement due to drivetrain binding. Which makes me thing they lock in AWD regardless of wheel slip. This is what I want. I go camping and fishing on a 4x4 only beach and it is a 60 mile loose sandy drive. I have seen other AWD system overheat due to the constant engaging / disengaging. Some AWD systems even say not to use it in loose traction situations for than 15 miles. Anyone able to confirm this?

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/maverick-awd-system-explained.8678/unread

 

[rlhdweman]

True, those '4 wheel drive' systems usually engage the rear right wheel & the front left, I've seen this on many full size trucks, our GMC plow truck is like this, seems to send power to the wheel with the least traction, newer systems with traction control are probably much better. In the 80's we had an International Scout with a plow & that would drive all 4 wheels anytime 4 wheel drive was engaged, it was far superior for plowing.

 

[austintown512]

Don't think any mode locks the AWD system. Given it's not a true 4wd system, it will never be 'locked'. I do think sand mode allows the most wheel spin across all 4 wheels, where mud/ruts does more individual wheel braking to send power to the wheels with power.

Well damn, I wonder if there is a tuner or Forscan ability to lock it in. I don't like the idea of it locking and unlocking for 120 miles when trekking out there and back with a bed full of camping gear, fishing gear, coolers, etc.

 

[Maverickman74]

Well damn, I wonder if there is a tuner or Forscan ability to lock it in. I don't like the idea of it locking and unlocking for 120 miles when trekking out there and back with a bed full of camping gear, fishing gear, coolers, etc.

Ok so there is no lock. An awd system be it fwd or rwd based works the same. You have your transmission and in a fwd based type there is an output for the rear axle on that transmission instead of a separate transfer case. Now in my eagle the transfer case has a viscous coupler, on others it may be a limited slip clutch like what i suspect is in the maverick. Either way when you give it enough gas it eventually grabs. The mav has a max split ratio that never allows 50% of the power to the rear. It stops at like 40% or so. So each rear wheel on level ground wih equal traction will get 20% of engine power (the fronts would get 30%). When the going gets rough the wheel speed sensors detect a wheel is spinning faster than the other because it has lost traction. So it clamps the brake on that wheel. In a full locker 4x4 like the bronco this would break things but since the differential that connects each axles tire side to side is an open differential( a clever device that allows you to turn multiple axles around a radius) the wheel that slips sucks power from the other. So when that wheel has its brakes applied the other side that has traction starts to speed up with he rpms and then you move. So when you are driving at any speed any wheel thats slipping gets it brakes put on. Since the power must go somewhere, it goes where it is needed.

This does not require modes, however they gave us modes to allow for the smoothest possible braking of slipping wheels for each situation. Normal just gives the brakes a touch, slipperry gives them a soft but firm touch and the mud or rocks really grabs the slipping wheel and stops it.

From the videos i have seen ford has really made these the best brake setups on the market. It grabs much better and keeps you moving than the subaru or santa cruz. I suspect alot of offroad driving long distances will increase brake pad wear. So i think springing for the best pads you can get would be a good idea. Other than that there isnt really any locking or unlocking that happens just a constant dance of brake work that keeps you going.

 

[austintown512]

The maverick uses clutches that engage via electrical input. So it was not too far fetched to think that maybe Sand and Mud modes go ahead and energize the clutch without waiting for wheel spin.

 

[Maverickman74]

The maverick uses clutches that engage via electrical input. So it was not too far fetched to think that maybe Sand and Mud modes go ahead and energize the clutch without waiting for wheel spin.

Just did some extra reading. It appears the PTU RDU work in tandem. When the PTU sends the driveshaft power the RDU engages that shaft to the rear wheel through its pinion gear. I still beleive this is essentially and open differential and wheel braking acts as the limited slip but it may be a mild limited slip that does not fully engage either wheel independently and supplements that with wheel braking to get you moving. Interesting way to keep things going and stay efficient.

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