Torque on Demand

[Chopper]

There are 4x Troopers and Rodeos made with the 6cyl/5sp.manual combo...I just don't know if it's the Borg Warner setup, or more of a GM deal. I've worked on both, but never really paid any attention to the transmissions.

[Chopper]

I can think of a lot of descriptors for this slush-box, but modern and efficient would not be among them. This thing has been around since the K car It was not GMs' finest moment.

[blacksambo]

I can think of a lot of descriptors for this slush-box, but modern and efficient would not be among them. This thing has been around since the K car It was not GMs' finest moment.

Is there a better system currently on the market that does everything the VX can do but is "modern and efficient" or was TOD the last word in automatic transfer of power? Just curious as to what is out there.

[Dino]

With cars, Porsche did some very cool stuff with the Carerra 4. Big bucks on the maintenance though...

I don't know of another SUV that has a TOD system.

[Chopper]

I've never had issues with the TOD. It's pretty slick in that you are all but RWD till you need more, then it's there, pretty quickly, and fairly smoothly. I like it at least as much as the Audi/VW system...maybe more...but it's light years behind Acuras' new system. I am talking only about road manners here, because I know absolutely nothing about offroading. My comments were directed at the transmission itself. I generally don't like automatics, and do not care for this one at all. Lexus and MB make some amazing gear boxes, but I'm with Dino, I'd rather do it myself. A manual conversion is tempting. Has been for six years now.

[blacksambo]

I've never had issues with the TOD. It's pretty slick in that you are all but RWD till you need more, then it's there, pretty quickly, and fairly smoothly. I like it at least as much as the Audi/VW system...maybe more...but it's light years behind Acuras' new system. I am talking only about road manners here, because I know absolutely nothing about offroading. My comments were directed at the transmission itself. I generally don't like automatics, and do not care for this one at all. Lexus and MB make some amazing gear boxes, but I'm with Dino, I'd rather do it myself. A manual conversion is tempting. Has been for six years now.

Thanks for the transmision clarification. I'm not so certain about that Acura SH-AWD system. First, it sticks you 90% into front wheel drive until something tricky pops up? Second, that yaw control stuff sounds a little overblown. Meaning they state versus conventional 4WD its better because it automatically splits power between left and right tires. Doesn't limited slip differential do this? So, the only time the Acura's system is of benefit is versus locked-differential mode 4WD's. Is that really all that advanced versus VX's TOD which is biased 90% rear wheel drive with full-time LSD? I'm not so sure TOD has been really eclipsed yet, especially since it's been fairly bullet proof dependibilitywise for 11 years running. Not trying to pat Isuzu on the back here, just trying to guage the true lay of the land today.

[Chopper]

Drive that new Acura RDX hard, you'll feel the difference. Having the outside wheel dig in on a hard turn, rather than slipping the inside one is a huge advantage. The RDX is no lightweight, but the awd they are using makes it seem smaller