2009 Moab Trip Stats

[Marlin]

Nice, welcome home!

I hope you don't mind if I add this... See, I just still don't understand why so many people think unlocking hubs will offer greater gas mileage in an AWD vehicle. I just want to lay out the physics, how I understand it. The hubs only work to save wear and tear and increase mileage when they are used in conjunction with a 2wd transfer case. As the vehicle moves, it rotates all tires at the same speed and the 4H setting does not disconnect the front drive shaft from the t-case. So all that is going on is the TOD is not able to send power to the front wheels when the rear is slipping - but it is still trying, and in effect, it's sending power to turn the front drive shaft and everything connected to it. Even if you were to disconnect the fuse or add a switch to the TOD computer while unlocking the hubs, the parts in the t-case are still in motion so the front drive shaft is still in motion, so the ring and pinion gears are still in motion, so the axles are still in motion. Since everything is still in motion, the hubs simply disallow the application of power/torque from the motor before it gets to the front wheels which are also already in motion anyway. There needs to be a mechanical disconnect in the t-case in conjunction with a mechanical disconnect at the hubs to save wear and tear while increasing mileage. That is why you would see no change in mileage.

Anyway, it was awesome to hang out and wheel with you again - here's to doing it again next year!!!

I would think there would be a small gain in mpg, but not a significant amount. It takes so many joules of energy to move your car "X" distance, whether that is via the rear wheels, or the front wheels is irrelevant. It is the conservation of energy. Disengaging the front wheels does not reduce the amount of energy required to move your vehicle, but I would say the amount of wear and tear on CVs and whatnot would make them well worth it.

As far as erotic services go...I believe you will still be able to advertise your personal time for some amount of roses....

[BigSwede]

I would think there would be a small gain in mpg, but not a significant amount. It takes so many joules of energy to move your car "X" distance, whether that is via the rear wheels, or the front wheels is irrelevant. It is the conservation of energy. Disengaging the front wheels does not reduce the amount of energy required to move your vehicle, but I would say the amount of wear and tear on CVs and whatnot would make them well worth it.

In the VX the there is no 2WD setting for the transfer case, therefore the front drivetrain is going to be turning all the time, whether the hubs are locked or not. I doubt there is going to be any savings in mpg or wear and tear in this scenario.