Not Impressed

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Originally Posted by Raque Thomas

...I wondered if anyone had a solution to keep the 4 wheel high engaged.

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Today when I was driving in snow I was slipping around and it felt like the TOD cutting in and out was making me slip more. Then I got a bright idea... why not just shift into 4 wheel drive? It worked like a charm... no more slipping at all. Why worry about 4 wheel high? What's wrong with four wheel drive low?

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Originally Posted by billh23

I guess I am dissapointed in the VX, I thought it was going to act more like a 4X4 truck, not like a part-time all wheel drive car.

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Put it in Four wheel drive low... it'll handle like the truckiest truck you ever drove. Why are people so afraid to shift that lever. I was and then I tried it... I love it. Isuzu put it there for a reason.

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Originally Posted by billh23

As much as I like the looks of the VX, I think the comforts + handling of the car are starting to wear on me.

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Wait... you just said you wanted it to handle like a truck, not a car??? Which is it??? Now you want it to be a part-time all wheel drive car?

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Originally Posted by billh23

I cannot count how many times I've spilled my drink all down the center console because I have it jammed into that little square change holder thing that isn't quite big enough for a coffee mug.

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Pull your thigh support out on your seat and put your drink beween your legs? Buy a cupholder? Finish your drink before you drive? Drive with one hand and hold the drink with the other? Switch to a drink that will fit in the square hole? Put silly putty in the bottom of it to hold your drink?

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Originally Posted by billh23

I am also sick of any friend I have that is more then 150# not being able to get into the backseat w/o a shoe horn. The two door part is OK, because I knew that going in, but the fact that the seats don't even move to let someone in is kind of lame.

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The passenger seat moves forward... open the passenger door instead of letting them out your side.

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Originally Posted by billh23

My windows continue to go up at the pace of a snail, even after having Isuzu inspect them under warranty and tell me they are fine.

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Spray silicon from the autoparts store on the tracks SOON before your windows break. The rubber tracks need to be lubed up NOW!

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Originally Posted by billh23

The engine power is nice, but its not any faster then a Trailblazer or most V8 sized pickups. I do have to admit it "feels" faster, but that could just be due to the smaller size and engine noise. Anyway, enough rants.

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Your crazy... the VX is faster than a Trailblazer and most other cars for that matter, and feels MUCH faster! Have you ever driven one of those? They are great trucks but they aren't sprinters that's for sure. Plus they cost twice what you paid for your VX.

I did the same thing today in the 10 inches of snow, 4 high was causing slipping because rear would lose traction and get sideways just a little and then tod would kick and everything was ok until the next slick spot.

so i put in 4 low and it did MUCH better. Is there a way to put a switch in to make 4 high with tod locked at 100%?

Holy crap

Wednesday1/19/05, Raleigh NC got hit by a "freak" snowstorm. In the matter of 2 hours, the whole city was under about 2" of solid ice. The roads were horrible, highways shutdown, schoolbusses couldn't get kids home, so they spent the night in schools. Commutes that normally took 30 minutes, took 10 hours. Check out some of the coverage.
http://www.wral.com/news/4117411/detail.html#

The VX served as the paddy wagon for coworkers that were to nervous to drive home (all women, I might add). While others were burning tread and spinning out, the TOD + LSD + Winter Mode + upkept and properly rotated tires kept me from spinning a tire once. I was in as much control as I could have been on SOLID ICE. NOTE this is MUCH different than driving on snow. I couldn't have been more happy with the performance of the vehicle. After having driven a trooper (albeit with 33x12.50 "widefoot" tires) and a damn M-class mercedes in similar conditions, I was more than happy with the VX in the wintery conditions, as were all my passengers who were like "I've never seen this car on the road before, is it safe?"


Maybe you've been trying to burn up to many civics at the stoplights.

Oh and MrTew has got it nailed. Bravo.

In Nov. 2002 I bought my first VX. I drove in snow the next day. Scarrrrrrry is the word for my experience. Bought Bridgestone Blizzaks the next day. The stock tires are not snow tires.

TOD is fantastic in snow with Snow tires. There are many brands and types to choose from. Air down for deep snow, ice, mud, off-road or sand for additional traction. Tires are expensive, but so is your insurance deductable and the increased rates after you crash into someone. :cool:

I just got back from my first snow experience here in MD with the Nittos... I thought they did a great job. As someone noted way back, turning felt a little more like sliding (weight and tire width I am sure), but had ZERO problems going forward anywhere I wanted to go. I'm from CO and driven in a lot of snow conditions all my life, and the VX is STILL the best on the snow. I am not sure why some just don't have good VX snow traction.

I will be in WI all next week, and always get some FORD pos that I have to try and get around the snow in. The VX does so much better, maybe I am just used to it now, but no complaints here. I was also able to easily back into my drive (slight incline) this snow, I was not able to do that with my stock tires before.

Jay

Having spent the last two winters with Subaru's symetrical all-wheel-drive, I'd have to say that the VX is a bit off the mark when it comes to a transparent AWD system. The slip-then-grip thing is a little unnerving, so I am adjusting my driving style.

Today I will be researching a 4hi mod. My question is,
"Why did Isuzu not include 4hi on the VX in the first place?"
There must be some reason, when other TOD equipped vehicles of the era had SOTF/2hi/4hi options, and the VX was left without.

you shouldn't be slipping in the first place.

that winter button is there for a reason.

If it works on ice, then it would definitely work in snow.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

you shouldn't be slipping in the first place.
that winter button is there for a reason.
If it works on ice, then it would definitely work in snow.

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You right in a way, but anyone can creep away from a stopsign without slipping all over the road. I think what people are looking for is the ability to drive fast in the snow like Jeeps and Suburbans are observed doing. That ability is gained by shifting into 4WD low. I still would like someone to answer why they don't just do that? I mean the winter button is a PITA the way it slows you down so much and keeps going off for no reason, but the 4WD lever is FUN with a capital FUN!

are you trying to win a drag race in the snow?

I mean, you can go "fast" but jesus take your time getting there.

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I mean the winter button is a PITA the way it slows you down so much and keeps going off for no reason

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You do understand the reasoning behind the winter button right? It keeps you in a higher gear so your lead-foot wont cause you to slip and slide everywhere until you get up to speed when you wont need it anymore.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

are you trying to win a drag race in the snow?

I mean, you can go "fast" but jesus take your time getting there.



You do understand the reasoning behind the winter button right? It keeps you in a higher gear so your lead-foot wont cause you to slip and slide everywhere until you get up to speed when you wont need it anymore.

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well i would like to be able to do 45 mph in the snow and in 4lo that is high rpm and probably not that good on the drivetrain. so a 4hi would allow me to go 45mph w/o wheel slip and at low rpm.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

are you trying to win a drag race in the snow?

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Yeah, I kinda am. I do use the winter button for pulling out around corners and appreciate what it does, but it's not what people are looking for when they see Jeeps etc take off from intersections like there's no snow at all and we are crawling away with no power in third gear.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

I mean, you can go "fast" but jesus take your time getting there.

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Good advice I'm sure, Dad, but I'd like that to be my choice not my truck's!

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

You do understand the reasoning behind the winter button right? It keeps you in a higher gear so your lead-foot wont cause you to slip and slide everywhere until you get up to speed when you wont need it anymore.

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Yeah it's great for poking around icy corners but when you want to go fast 4WD low works like a charm. It sure helps the braking too because it locks the wheels together so the ABS doesn't kick in all the time.

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Originally Posted by autox-racer

well i would like to be able to do 45 mph in the snow and in 4lo that is high rpm and probably not that good on the drivetrain. so a 4hi would allow me to go 45mph w/o wheel slip and at low rpm.

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I see your point and if a 4WD high was possible I'm sure I'd try it out. I don't think 45 in low is going to wear you out at all for a few days though... It's not like you're going to be near the redline or anything. Now if you're driving to Chicago or something it might be a little much, but around town it's fantastic. Hope you figure it out... I'll sign up.

It's been snowing here for the last 26 hours and I've gone out to the store 3 times. I used the "Winter" button to get up out of my driveway and then that was that. I have a completly stock VX and althought the back end gave me a couple kicks and I had the occasional floaty steering it wasn't anything unmanageable. I agree that there is room for improvement but you need to look at what else we get with our VX. IMHO we have the best, most interesting vehicle ever made and it was limited production no less! If the performence in snow bothers you that much why doesn't sombody run out to there garage and start fudgeing together something to fix the problem? If I knew more about cars and wiring I'd jump at the chance to contribute something to like this to the Board. Anyway... it's just my .02
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...858Winter2.JPG

Ok, I'm going to stop trying to reason with someone who wants to drive recklessly in poor driving conditions.

The point of 4wd and TOD in general is to make driving managable in poor traction conditions, not give reckless ******* a carte-blanche to compensate for some inadequecies against a jeep in snow.

I keep wondering why my insurance is so high. :eyeroll:


Oh, heres the reason why jeeps can do what they do:
GVW

VX: 3955
Jeep: 5150

More than 1000lbs pushing those tires to the ground.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

Ok, I'm going to stop trying to reason with someone who wants to drive recklessly in poor driving conditions.

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I doubt that! :-]

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

The point of 4wd and TOD in general is to make driving managable in poor traction conditions, not give reckless ******** a carte-blanche to compensate for some inadequecies against a jeep in snow.

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You're always very antagonistic.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

Oh, heres the reason why jeeps can do what they do:
GVW VX: 3955 Jeep: 5150 More than 1000lbs pushing those tires to the ground.

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I disagree. I think it's because they shift into 4WD low instead of counting on TOD and winter buttons. I don't know if you actually read the posts you reply to but I'm telling you the VX can keep up with a Jeep just fine if you shift that lever.

The TOD isn't doing it for people or this thread would never have been started and lasted this long. Also I don't think weight is the answer because I always notice little skinny tired econocars like old Escorts etc going in the snow even faster and straighter than the Jeeps. That front-wheel-drive is the bomb... probably one of the reasons that locking our front wheels power on helps so much!

i have a few opinions on this topic. one is the limited slip diff.i think this is actually part of the problem with the rear sliding and the front pushing.normally when one wheel is spinning the other is helping to keep the the rear from sliding.in our case the diff kicks in and causes the rear to slide because both wheels are spinning.
the same holds true for the pushing.when both rear wheels are turning they tend to push the front wheels.when you are not in the snow and you turn the wheels turn at different speeds, when they are spinning in the snow they are working like a locked diff and push the front wheels.like when you are in 4 lo on dry pavement.
also i think the short wheelbase does not help matters.i think that a combination of all these things cause the problems some a having.i have just learned to deal with it and compensate for it.and i found that not using power mode helps and using winter mode helps also.and if the conditions get to bad i use 4 lo . just my 2 cents. shawn

I agree with Shawn,
That tight rear diff tends to act like a locked unit very quickly = bad on ice, for the reasons that he mentioned.
Again, it just requires a little relearning on my part.


Maugan VX-
I have only been a member of this board for a short time, but your posts have already gotten my attention. I took the liberty of researching your history, and I found very few helpful/informative posts -most were inflammatory and unnecessary. I'm afraid that we can't all be as perfect as you claim to be, and I believe that you should re-think the manner in which you choose to "share your knowledge". If I were a moderator of this site, not only would you have been warned/suspended/banned by now, I would've sent thugs to your home to steal your vehicle.
Don't bother replying to this post, I've officially put you on my "useless ******" list.

:)

I like how all my relevant posts disappeared from this thread.

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Originally Posted by Maugan_VX

I like how all my relevant posts disappeared from this thread.

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Not sure of what you mean, no posts have been deleted from this thread. Since the board has re-opened, ALL deletions are soft deletions only making them invisible to regular users and only I have the means to physically remove them. Being that the activity on this thread began again after the upgrade, I can see whether a post had been removed.