Not Impressed

[Raque Thomas]

Thanks for the input guys, it sounds like what I experienced is the same as most of you experienced. My biggest concern was whether the TOD was working properly, as it kept engaging and disengaging as I was leaving a stop 4-5 times in a row. I know that someone posted here how to disable the TOD, I wondered if anyone had a solution to keep the 4 wheel high engaged.

[yal^]

Originally posted by coachreed
Have you never heard of studded snow tires? I have seen jeep races in colorado on frozen lakes... them damn things launch like rockets and corner like they are onl rails... ok, relatively speaking... no, studded snow tires aren't for everyday use, but there IS a solution to ice...

TTYL!

Coach!

Hostile a little, aren't we?
As Analog said studded snow tires are illegal here.
Besides, I do not drive on frozen lakes... so why be obnoxious?

[WormGod]

My first time out in the white stuff was a little iffy, but it was just the tires. The Yokos I have are street use only. I could see the TOD was kicking in when it had to so I know the computer was doing it's job quite well. I still have the same ties this year in this snow, and I am more used to driving with them in teh snow, so I had no problems at all. I can only imagine how supreme the VX would handle with some AT's in snow. WOW!

[billh23]

I too would like to know if it is possible to keep the 4x4 high engaged. This is my first winter in the VX, and living in MN I have about 6 months of winter driving a year to deal with. My previous vehicle was a 4x4 truck, and I loved leaving the 4high on whenever the roads were slippery or we started getting a dusting of snow. Its hard to explain to people that aren't used to driving in these conditions, but a lot of people don't use 4x4 just to fly through snow drifts or go off-roading. I need 4x4 just to get to work and back on the city roads. It wouldn't be bad if it were just a snow storm or two a year and it melted, but our first snow of the season typically hits in November and it stays on the roads until April.

I had a Ford Explorer a while back that had the "on demand" 4x4 and I flipped the damn thing during a snow storm. Because the 4high didn't engage until I lost traction and by then it was too late. My most previous vehicle was a 4x4 truck that I could leave engaged if I wanted, and it worked great.

[ScubaSteve]

Odd that your snow performance isn't "up to par"... I've got scorpion zeros that are rated as very poor performers in the snow, but there's no stopping the VX in the snow (except the brakes of course )

Heck, I was plowing right through 5 foot snow mounts in parking lots (accidentally found a curb too, but it didn't faze her in the slightest)...

As far as TOD is concerns, he's my new best friend. They didn't plow my dad's street (private road) so I drove over there and flattened it all out for em... only 6 inches or so, but its a nice downhill slope w/ ditches on both sides and she had no problems at all. This is THE best stock off-road-capable truck i've driven.

[VX922]

I don’t have the greatest experience with TOD neither.
I used to live by St Mary's glacier Co (12,000ft above sea level) and commute to Denver, lots of snow in winter.

The TOD functions only if the TOD computer detects difference between front and rear shaft synchronization or when the gas pedal is pressed.
When TOD clutches are engaged then there is no out of synchronization condition detected and computer will almost instantly disengage the clutches despite the fact that the vehicle is still on slippery surface. Final result is hammering of the clutches when accelerating on snow ice etc. The Isuzu engineers could do better job at programming the TOD computer I think. I also assume that the vehicle was never tested in real life conditions.
One of the best advantages of any 4X4 is that with the power to all four wheels there is a lot better directional stability especially in turns and that is exactly when TOD will let you down.
Other rather stupid feature on VX is limited slip differential. Driver of the vehicle has no control over when the wheel lock up and when they do your rear end will slide sideways. The ltd diff is useless when off roading in low range because its grabbing strength is not adequate to maintain the diff locked anyway.
So what is the remedy? First install override switch for TOD then put in a set of real lockers.

VX922

[VX_PA]

You guys keep talking about the VX spinning out doing 360's. I try in snow filled parking lots, fields, and anywhere else that doesn't have any dangers nearby. I can't get it to slide out of control let alone pull a full 360. I'm kinda feelin' jealous here! I don't know if it's my BFG AT's or if I'm not whipping the wheel hard enough? No matter, it seems that I get snow at least once a week here lately, so I will keep trying until I scare the bejesus out of myself. The most I get is a small tail-slide (trying really hard just for that) and the front may plow slide just a bit until the TOD ruins that.

Now with that said, anyone having problems with their VX handling bad in the snow buy a set of BFG AT's and problem solved. Oh yeah, I don't care for ABS brakes either! Just used to them after 5 years.

Later......

[SGT.BATGUANO]

Most off-road tires aren't designed for snow, even the stock tires aren't rated well. There are some good winter tires out there. Continental Exterme Contact Winter, Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow and Bridgestone Winter Duellers are highly rated.

[WyrreJ]

VX_PA - I haven't been "surprised" by my VX yet, but I can make the tail break loose real easy on snow - start from a standstill as if you are at a 4-way stop intersection, turn right and accelerate while turning. I do it all the time - TOD kicks in and pulls me through the turn while the tail swings around on its own. I usually end up making a 100-110 degree turn rather than just 90 degrees and have to steer back left once the tail-end has traction again.

I'm pretty confident that if I really goosed it instead of just tapping on the accelerator, then I'd be seeing at least 180 degrees instead of just 110. But I haven't had the opportunity to try it safely yet.

This is all with the stock tires.

[Tonka]

This topic comes up every once in a while. The new tire thing helps, the short wheel base doesn't. I do notice that the TOD does react differently than 4 HI but personally i like it better because i don't have to switch 4WD on and off from dry pavement to icy roads all the time. It just takes some practice and the rewards are great. Just make sure you get a better tire than the sucky ones that come stock. If you still don't like it use 4LOW. I think you can go as fast as 45mph?
My 2cents.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by SGT.BATGUANO
Most off-road tires aren't designed for snow, even the stock tires aren't rated well. There are some good winter tires out there. Continental Exterme Contact Winter, Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow and Bridgestone Winter Duellers are highly rated.

I live in the snow-belt of lake erie and get "dumped-on" with lake effect snows regularly. I think it's snowed every day for the last 2 weeks here. What SGT. says is absolutely correct. Add to this that some of us have the stock tires that are no longer new...mine have 33k miles on them....and the fact that snow varies in consistancy...I mean you get powdery snow one day...wet, slushy snow the next! My VX will eat-up powdery snow for breakfast with the well-worn stock Bridgestones. I have a 2-acre yard with hills that I play in with the VX like a quadrunner! I drove the VX through 2-3 ft snow drifts of powdery snow and it gripped without any issues. Than, we had freezing rain and switched over to snow accumulating about 2 inches...I couldn't get up my drive-way! My issues this winter have been soley with "Stopping" on icy roads. I deal with this by slowing down immensly before an intersection and kicking the VX into N and lightly braking to a stop. Than kick winter button if sitting on icy patch.

[VX922]

Would anybody be interested in TOD override?

[billh23]

So the front wheels never engage or are always engaged?

[VX922]

billh23
Front wheel engage only if there is slippage detected then they disengage immediatly following with rear wheels slipping, slippage is detected again and the cycle repeats on and on.

VX922

[driver3]

It's all about the tires...

The short wheelbase is the problem with spinning out, but that's the same problem wranglers have. If I went out side right now with my kumhos I'd be in a ditch. Tires tires tires... the rest is practice...