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RWD traction vs AWD

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Joescar

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi folks,
I've been, and will be, traveling and camping more in my DD and in retrospect I wish I got AWD. This also the first RWD vehicle I've had in a very long time. While I haven't been doing any hard core off roading I have been on some dirt and rutted roads that I wouldn't have taken a car on and the D has handled them well.
I'm curious as to opinions about the difference in traction abilities of AWD vs RWD in the Durango. I'm not too keen on getting stuck somewhere but I'm also not looking to bypass roads or paths that might be interesting. I may at some point be pulling a small trailer.
Thanks,
 
#2 ·
The biggest issue for both AWD and RWD is the lack of a rear limited slip diff. I understand traction should do the same, but it never does. RWD is really only one wheel drive if you get stuck, and AWD is really only two wheel drive. I wouldn't trust it on anything other then a dry dirt path (RWD).
 
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#3 ·
Joe,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't have a low range selector, correct?

Brian,
I think the low range with the awd would make a big difference in rough conditions. I have to play with mine I guess. Once I take the summer tires off, I'll test that theory on some back muddy road :)
 
#4 ·
Limited slip was an option on gen1 D's. to tell look at left axle tube inward of brake assembly for a white stripe. If stripe is there you have limited slip, even though I found the spinning weight of the tires tended to override the system. If not you can and should add a power trax unit to rear diff. Takes a little over an hour or so to install and requires no resetting of diff. Just simple hand tools. If you have traction control I thought that it worked with the brake system to force traction.
 
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#5 ·
I have both the AWD and RWD versions of the D (both 3.6L so no low range selector), but I wish I had more OFF ROAD experience to give you... haven't had my RWD D long enough to test it out in the Iowa snow yet...

BUT, I have heard that the RWD D does surprisingly good in snow (not like snow really matters to you....)... so basically I am of no help.. LOL sorry
 
#6 ·
Pretty sure I found the answer. The hemi with AWD appears to be the combination that gets the low range selector. If anyone with the hemi RWD has the selector, feel free to correct me.
 
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#8 ·
The way I understood it was if one wheel starts slipping, it's gonna hit the brake on that wheel. It's not perfect but it seems to work pretty good, I've drive. Through some pretty deep snow and never got stuck with my AWD.
 
#9 ·
Skippy426 said:
The way I understood it was if one wheel starts slipping, it's gonna hit the brake on that wheel. It's not perfect but it seems to work pretty good, I've drive. Through some pretty deep snow and never got stuck with my AWD.
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I think you're referring to how the stability control works. If the wheels are straight, it shouldn't happen. I was losing grip trying to pull my camper out of the back yard. That's the only time I recall putting mine into low and the camper came out with ease.
 
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#10 ·
RangoLimited said:
I think you're referring to how the stability control works. If the wheels are straight, it shouldn't happen. I was losing grip trying to pull my camper out of the back yard. That's the only time I recall putting mine into low and the camper came out with ease.
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It's called a "Brake Lock Differential." From what I understood, stability control wants the whole vehicle going straight and will work its voodoo to do that. Traction control wants all 4 wheels going the same speed. BLD wants just the opposite side wheel on the axle going the same speed, and it does not care how fast or slow it's going or how much it's slipping just that the left and right wheels are going the same speed.

https://blog.fcanorthamerica.com/2008/02/11/jeep-brake-traction-control-explained/
 
#11 ·
Skippy426 said:
It's called a "Brake Lock Differential." From what I understood, stability control wants the whole vehicle going straight and will work its voodoo to do that. Traction control wants all 4 wheels going the same speed. BLD wants just the opposite side wheel on the axle going the same speed, and it does not care how fast or slow it's going or how much it's slipping just that the left and right wheels are going the same speed.

https://blog.fcanorthamerica.com/2008/02/11/jeep-brake-traction-control-explained/
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No kidding. Interesting I'll check that link out
 
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#12 ·
That explained the system in the 4wd models and never referred to the awd. I think I'd want to test it out myself and see how awd high differs from low when wheel spin is an issue. I'm thinking a wet grass hill would be easy enough to test it out
 
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#13 · (Edited)
RangoLimited said:
That explained the system in the 4wd models and never referred to the awd. I think I'd want to test it out myself and see how awd high differs from low when wheel spin is an issue. I'm thinking a wet grass hill would be easy enough to test it out
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The chargers and challengers also got it. From what I was told our Durango's with AWD are rear wheel drive unless the temp is below 40F, the windshield wipers were on, or it's detecting that the rear wheels are slipping. If any of those are met then it starts sending power to the front wheels, which explains why I can chirp my rear wheels in the summer and not winter. 4 lock just locks the transfer case and forces the front and rear wheels to spin the same speed, but due too the open diffs it'll be "2wd" at worst, and then brake lock helps that.

I am curious though if everyone has been blowing smoke or if it actually works... I've got nowhere to test it. you gotta let me know lol!
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Thanks for the comments. The D does have Traction Control System and as noted in the owner's manual ..."A feature of the TCS system, Brake Limited Differential
(BLD), functions similar to a limited-slip differential"....so there is some traction to RWD. I've just never put the vehicle where I've needed it, or maybe I did need it an never knew it was functioning.
I was wondering if anyone had tested the off road limits of the RWD.
 
#18 ·
Pretty cool, learn something new every day. So I'm assuming low just gears down and the rest of the functionality is the same as high
 
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