Hi, we are looking currently looking at some Townaces. We have seen one which we like but it is 2WD not the more common 4WD. Could anyone tell me how important having 4WD is or would a 2WD be OK ?
Thanks
Keven
- (#1045) keven matthews, 1 May 05 10:39
Hi Kev...
It all depends on what you wnat the vehicle for and where you are going to drive.
If you are going to use it as an off road vehicle and do all sorts of scampering about over rocks and through mud and sand then you will use your 4WD
On the other hand if you are going to use it as a people transporter over the normal terrain a car is driven on then 2WD is ample and less to go wrong.
4WD increases fuel consumption and tyre wear but in conjunction with hilo gearing you can probably crawl up a wall.
It's hand if you were foolinsh enough to drive down onto the sandy/pebble beach and got bogged down or find yourself in deep snow and you need to get home.
I wonder how many times the ordinary Townie owner uses 4WD?
In my mind it is only there for those enthusiast that want to go galivanting across akward terrain.
Look upon it as an added bonus but not necessary.
There again others may have different ideas.
Regards
- (#1045) Rik vonTrense (Hertford), 1 May 05 11:39
Rik Thanks, I should have made the use clearer. It will be for normal road transportation of family at all times of the year during the week (East Anglia) plus longer runs at the weekend / holidays etc. Will include hills and poor weather. I would want to be able to go on any road that I would take a normal saloon car on regardless of weather. So if I could go anywhere I currently go in my car (1500cc petrol automatic kia shuma)a 2WD might be OK ?
- (#1045) keven matthews, 1 May 05 11:59
Hi Kevin...
I would say that if you have found a 2WD that has taken your fancy then go for that.
After all it is better to have a vehicle that you like rather than a vehicle that has 4WD that you are not so keen on.
If the vehicle you like had 4WD then just look upon it as an added bonus.
I doubt very much if you will ever find yourself in a position where you NEED 4WD if you are only going to use your vehicle as you describe.
Regards
- (#1045) Rik vonTrense (Hertford), 1 May 05 12:28
Be warned that a 2wd townie is rather tail-happy and doesn't have anywhere near the same levels of traction as the average fwd car.
- (#1045) David Miller, 1 May 05 13:40
David, Thanks .. Are you saying a 2WD townace is different to a 2 & 4WD model that is in 2WD mode. 2WD models are to be avoided then ? If its worse than a normal saloon car I guess thats what it means? (sadly !)
- (#1045) keven matthews, 1 May 05 14:45
I have a 2WD or rather rear WD.
If the Ace is loaded no problems, if it is empty with driver only, yes the back can swing out under severe weather conditions. Once you have done it you are prepared, I guess it is all down to driving style and ability. I found out on a frosty morning, taking the normal right hander only to end up facing the wrong way! Was it me going to fast, tyres on the bald side, would it happen to any car, even a 4WD Ace in RWD mode I wonder?
Don't let this put you off, take it for a test drive and sling it into some corners, see what you think!
Also note that there may be a post election addition to road fund duty for all 4WD vehicles! Also on the agenda is the total ban of bull bars.
- (#1045) Clive (Bristol), 1 May 05 15:32
I have used my 4WD on about two occasions in the last four years, and both of these were to get out of sand or mud. It worked perfectly and, at the time, was a godsend. However,in my opinion, the Townace is the most unlikely vehicle if "off road" sport is envisaged.
It's 4WD system has to be used with care. There is no centre differential and, on road surfaces only partially affected by ice/snow/mud etc, the system has to be manually switched in and out to avoid damage to the transmission. It cannot be used on dry roads where there is no wheel "slippage" on either axle.
One advantage of the 4WD Townace is that there is an extra radiator in the system and, I feel, this extra coolant volume is a great advantage when trying to avoid some of the well known cooling problems which affect these vehicles. As the 4WD Townace cannot be run continually in 4WD, I don't think that it is any
better than the 2WD version and will suffer the same "tail happy" condition but, for the occasional emergency 4WD facility,and the extra cooling capacity, if purchase prices are similar, I would go for the 4WD
- (#1045) John Davis (Leics), 1 May 05 15:44
As a 2WD driver I could'nt argue with any of the above - but it all needs to be put into context. If you intend to drive off road or on slippery surfaces 4WD is better. In wintery conditions or if you intend to "horse it on" 4WD would give you better traction. For the average school run and everyday driving 2WD is perfectly adequate. As these are rear wheel drive vehicles they perform similar to a rear wheel drive saloon - yes, under pressure that back end could break away. I prefer the 2WD as it does'nt drag along an axle thats only used once in a blue moon - also better fuel economy. I have, however found only one problem with my 2WD. In extremely icy conditions I've had to resort to reversing up the hill I live on. - ( back wheel drive converted to front wheel drive concept ) - but then I suspect even 4WD's may have their limit :-)
- (#1045) stephen judge, 1 May 05 15:51
david....
are you saying that a 2wd is more tail happy than a 4wd even if the 4wd is being driven in the 2wd mode ?
i have found from experience that any empty long based rwd is tail happy on ice or severe conditions you won't find this in the 4wd mode as it is the best of both worlds.
it doesn't surprise me about 4x4 being higher taxation
i suppose it is like driving two vehicles on the road at the same time, after all out tax is suppose to pay for the repair of our roads isn't it ?
as for bull bars....rather like fitting a battering ram on the front of your car .
.
.
- (#1045) Rik vonTrense (Hertford), 1 May 05 15:51
As its not full time 4 wd its fairly worthless if you don't live in the outback, a snowy country or deliberately drive where a standard car could not go.
I've used mine twice in the last 2 yrs. Once when I parked irresponsibly knowing the 4wd would get me out of trouble, and once when I decided to drive a 'green lane', which it didn't really have the ground clearance to cope with.
A nice luxury if you deliberately intend to do what standard cars can't, but otherwise some parts are 4wd specific and pricey.....having said that personally I'd go 4wd (given the funds), but would be quite happy with 2wd as a more sensible road vehicle. The 4wd rides around 4 inches higher (on the hiace)which is nice...but 'horses for courses' etc.....
- (#1045) chris turner, 1 May 05 16:07
I'm actually thinking about something that Stephen also mentioned. There's little or no difference in handling between 2wd and 4x4 versions, the weight distribution changes minimally. But if you're unloaded in slippery conditions the situation can *and does* occur where the only way to get the 2wd (rwd) vehicle to achieve traction is by reversing.
- (#1045) David Miller, 1 May 05 16:47
I think the 2wd is better for normal (non-offroad) use, as we have had plenty of stuff (band equipment for instance) in the back of ours in the past and it was fine. Also you have better fuel economy, less things to go wrong, and cheaper repair if it does go wrong.
- (#1045) storm, 6 May 05 02:06
Mine is 4WD. Like most of us I've only driven one type but from all the comments that I've seen the risk of getting stuck with insufficient grip on the back wheels is the only important factor.
I've used the 4WD about 3 times in 4 years for this reason, but probably only risked getting stuck because I knew I had 4WD. I've also used Low ratio a few times, which you only get on the 4WD version.
Extra ground clearance, extra radiators, a few more expensive parts such as front suspension arms - these just sit alongside all the other choices of different Ace models: 7/8 seats, petrol/diesel, auto/manual, skylights/moonroofs, new/old shape, coolbox etc.
I don't think that comments about tyre wear and fuel consumption carry any significant weight. A "4WD" Ace is actually 2WD almost all of the time - and almost equally "tail-happy". The transfer box, front prop shaft, front differential and front half shafts add a small bit of weight but they don't spin at all unless you either lock the front hubs or select 4WD - which you only do occasionally when you need to. So the 4WD system doesn't wear out itself or the tyres or waste power/fuel apart from to carry the extra weight which is equivalent to, what? carrying a small passenger.
- (#1045) Dave Mason (Sussex), 6 May 05 05:07
As Dave said except that I've used mine a lot more than that. The 4WD has got me out of many scrapes. Having previously had a SpaceCruiser and got myself stuck, suffered harrowing near misses on ice (when the backend decided to develop a mind of its own) and most importantly couldn't get up my own drive after only a light fall of snow - there was no way I would have another like it so 4WD was a must for me.
I guess it depends on where you live - the terrain and climate. I feel that only using it a few times to get me out of difficulties has justified the overheads in mpg. As for the rest? Not an issue, us Townie drivers are used to the hassles that come with these eccentrix (oooh! bad pun) vehicles.
- (#1045) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 6 May 05 06:00
Thanks everyone for there comments.. I get my 2WD Townace in the morning !
- (#1045) Keven, 6 May 05 19:01
Welcome on board, well if Ian can get away with an awful pun so can I.
If you are anywhere near Brean North Somerset next weekend, we can answer all the questions you may have in one go.
- (#1045) Clive (Bristol), 7 May 05 04:43
Hi,
I have a liteace full-time 4wd , year 1999, with engine model 3C-E ,chassis CR-52.
I wanted to know if it is possible to convert it to a 2wd and how.
Thanks.
- (#1045) shakeel, 10 May 05 02:43
I can't think why you would want to. The task would be too daunting and expensive - removal of various components and replacement by others and for what? A few extra mpg?
- (#1045) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 10 May 05 06:19
Hi,
I just wanted to know which will be faster on normal roads : a 2wd liteace or a full-time 4wd?
I have an automatic Liteace Year 1999.
Is it important to clean the ATF filter for liteace?If yes,how should we clean the ATF filter?
How do we remove it?
Which solvent should we use?
How often should we do this?
Thanks
- (#1045) shakeel, 15 May 05 09:29
fulltime 4x4 is the same technology as in Subaru Imprezzas etc. Much better traction than any 2wd vehicle.
ATF filter? No idea. You Liteace is amodel we don't see in the UK. If there *is* an accessible filter, likely you'll need to remove the transmission sump to get to it. It's unlikely to be dirty this soon tho, better just to keep changing the ATF on a regualar basis.
- (#1045) David Miller, 15 May 05 12:00