AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => 4X4 and Driveline => Topic started by: BigBird on April 19, 2011, 12:43:32 AM

Title: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: BigBird on April 19, 2011, 12:43:32 AM
Just wondering because i know my chevy can only safely do about 40 (Without Blowing Something Up) in 4 High. I'm just not sure if AWD means you can switch it there and drive normally in 4WD or if its like any other 4WD.  Just a Newbie question :help:
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: mudkicker715 on April 19, 2011, 12:49:00 AM
Switch and drive normally
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: Sunny on April 19, 2011, 12:58:20 AM
In an Eagle? If you hold the pedal down for a few miles you might hit 60 :P.

Your chevy should be able to go faster than that without breaking, unless you are using it on dry pavement.
I can engage mine in my stuck up to 80KM/H I believe it is, no top speed listed.

If I remember correctly they list 35KM/H as the top speed for my 4x4Lo

I'm only somewhat versed in 4x4 systems, I've done work on them a few times... but I've never seen damage caused from driving too fast in 4x4Hi, only driving with it on in dry pavement for extended periods of time [Soccer moms..sigh :P] or engaging it at 110+ on the highway.
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: Bird-o-Prey on April 19, 2011, 01:26:13 AM
I have a full time AWD t-case (NP-119) on my eagle wagon.  I have had it up over 160 kph (100 mph) once or twice.  Usually going downhill with a tailwind...but still ;)
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: jim on April 19, 2011, 01:39:23 PM
Referring to shift on the fly - my owner's manual says you can shift into 4X4 at any legal speed, so I suppose you can drive in 4X4 at any legal speed.

I find that amusing - can you shift into 4X4 doing 55 in a 55 mph zone, but you can't shift into 4X4 if you're speeding, doing 30 in a 25 zone? ??? ;D
How does the Eagle know it's driving above a legal speed? :-\
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: IowaEagle on April 19, 2011, 05:59:02 PM
Quote from: jim on April 19, 2011, 01:39:23 PM
Referring to shift on the fly - my owner's manual says you can shift into 4X4 at any legal speed, so I suppose you can drive in 4X4 at any legal speed.

I find that amusing - can you shift into 4X4 doing 55 in a 55 mph zone, but you can't shift into 4X4 if you're speeding, doing 30 in a 25 zone? ??? ;D
How does the Eagle know it's driving above a legal speed? :-\

They are very smart cars.  Recent case in point.  Petr's Eagle decided not to start so he instead had to take his Chevy Pick Up to the show and he ultimatley win a prize.  I am sure that his Eagle will be satisfied it did its good deed and will now allow Petr to start it.
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: tougeagle on April 20, 2011, 02:44:39 AM
Mine always makes sure I have an excuse for the nice ocifer when I get pulled over... "well, my speedometer cable broke just before you pulled out and followed me, I swear!" - Twice -
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: Whuntmore on April 20, 2011, 02:56:53 AM
I've been doing over 100 kms in 4x4 mode.  Down the highway with some icy sections, but mostly hard packed snow.  Nothing blew up yet.
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: tougeagle on April 20, 2011, 07:56:46 PM
Quote from: Whuntmore on April 20, 2011, 02:56:53 AM
I've been doing over 100 kms in 4x4 mode.  Down the highway with some icy sections, but mostly hard packed snow.  Nothing blew up yet.

Do you have any kind of vibration in the front, kind of reciprocating (fades and comes back, in 5 or so second cycles), above 55 MPH? I'm beginning to wonder if our front driveshaft design might cause some issues with full time awd at highway speeds. But, I'm a total perfectionist, any squeak or rattle or noise irritates the crap out of me
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: Whuntmore on April 20, 2011, 10:04:35 PM
well, I mean it ain't a Bentley.  I'm borrowing Pat's set of tires and rims until I get mine done, and he told me either one of the tires or rims is out just a bit, so over like 110, it does vibrate abit.  But I always chalked it up to I'm driving on Pat's tires and rims.

When I get my rims done, and I get a new set of tires on her, I'll let you know.

Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: shanebo on April 20, 2011, 11:52:07 PM
Being an AWD capable drive car it should be able to travel at any speed without problems. All those 80's cars were so funny with those 85 mph speedo's...Like it stopped anyone from breaking the speed limit. Didnt matter if it was an Escort or a Corvette...they only read up to 85
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: tougeagle on April 21, 2011, 01:32:44 AM
Quote from: casper on April 21, 2011, 01:11:18 AM
eh, if ya got a good tach, and know how to do math, you can still know pretty dang close to what your going if you need to exceed the deloreans time machine speed.... hmm... wondering if there is something to do with either 85mph in the movie was because all those 80s vehicles only read that fast, or vice versa???? ok, beer may be talking now. LOL.

With 2.73s, and AX15 (.84 overdrive) stock tires, 2400 is 75, 2500 is 80, 2600 is 85, 2700 is 90, etc. I've only had the gall to go to 3300, still had 2/3rd pedal left.
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: Bird-o-Prey on April 21, 2011, 10:32:11 AM
I get vibration between 100 & 110 kph then it soothes out again.  I know it's the tires though, because the vibration used to come at 90 kph until I had the tire shop dynamically balance them.  Next time, I am going to use the internal balancing media.  It is made up of small plastic of graphene balls or sand.  It is installed inside the tire and centrifugal force spreads the media inside the tire at higher speeds.  More material goes to the "thin" spots in the rubber and balances the wheel.  It also compensates for minor imbalances in the rims as well.  It doesn't cost that much either.  It's a bit of a PITA if you have to put on another tire without the material inside though. 
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: mudkicker715 on April 21, 2011, 10:42:55 AM
Big tire guys use bb's. Or the plastic air soft stuff. The copper sounds cool when you stop.

How did this get so out of whack anyway?
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: JayRamb on April 22, 2011, 02:56:19 AM
Keep it maintained, no limits. Unlike the GM & Ford crap in the early years.
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: tougeagle on April 22, 2011, 03:49:37 AM
Mine are both new, but symptoms point to it. Problem is I have another issue too, after a long highway run, when coming to a stop, there is some kind of bind or seizure in the drivetrain juuuuust before coming to a complete stop. An audible slightly higher pitch groan followed by  vague, but coarse grinding just before completely stopping still. At that point, the car can sit on somewhat of an incline without brakes applied and not roll back. rear drum brakes were recently replaced and adjusted.
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: BigBird on April 26, 2011, 07:27:08 PM
Thank you all! You answered my questions exactly!
:eaglebig:
Title: Re: How fast can one go in 4WD?
Post by: shanebo on April 27, 2011, 12:26:53 AM
Any time! ;D