SUV Crossover & AWD
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Construction and other equipment
Forum Description: everything else with orange (or yellow) paint
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22389
Printed Date: 23 Apr 2025 at 11:45pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: SUV Crossover & AWD
Posted By: JohnThomas
Subject: SUV Crossover & AWD
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2010 at 8:17am
Looking for some qualified input here..
We are needing to cut back to one vehicle here as wife & I have been retired for some time and our 2 vehicles we have..a '98 Chevy Savanah and '02 Le Sabre are more than we need from now on and maintenance costs will most likely rise rapidly now on them.
I'd like 4 wheel drive cos of the ice & snow in these hills and light trailer hauling capability for my Woodworking plus a nice open back like the SUV's have. We only need front & rear seating.
I am liking the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain..(same vehicle I think) because they have adequate size & weight. Four cylinder...better GPM...or 6 cylinder for more pep.
Another & most important Question is..how functional are these AWD's and do they actually engage the rear wheels when front tires are slipping? Climbing these hills in winter can be quite challenging at times and I have been hearing some of these so called AWD are NOT all wheel drive.
I have also looked over the Ford crossover but it seems a lot more expensive for what it is compared to the GM/Chevy.
Sure would appreciate some input...on any makes...but would prefer USA product.
Thanks!
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Life is short...Make haste to be kind
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Replies:
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2010 at 9:11am
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We like our Jeep Grand Cherokee a lot. The only downside is the 16 mpg average. It has a straight six cylinder engine, which has plenty of power. We like the selection of two-wheel drive, part-time four wheel drive or full four-wheel drive. The part-time four wheel drive kicks in when the tires slip.
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Posted By: roosky01
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2010 at 1:51pm
The new Ford Explorer is supposed to get very good mileage and is pretty sharp looking. I think they are starting to appear on dealer lots now...
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Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.
Ronald Reagan
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Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2010 at 1:59pm
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There is a difference between AWD and 4WD and some people including some salesmen do not know the difference. Basically AWD is primarily a front wheel drive vehicle with the ability to engage the rear wheels whereas a 4WD vehicle is basically a rear wheel drive vehicle with the ability to engage the front wheels. 4WD vehicles are often heavier duty and may have a hi-lo range transfer case. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an example of the later. I would say that all the AWD vehicles now have similar features such as automatic engagement of AWD, electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock brakes on all 4 wheels. Except for companies like Honda and Subaru that have their own unique AWD systems I think that many of the AWD vehicles may share the same drive train made by companies such as Borg-Warner and they all work the same. I also believe that many of these automatic features were developed because so many people got into accidents with these vehicles because they thought they were invincible because of the superior traction but didn't realise that they could stop or steer any better than a conventional vehicle. Some of the lighter AWD vehicles do not have much trailer towing capacity if that is important so you might want to check around. We have always had a 4WD vehicle in one form or the other since the mid 70's so we have had a lot of experience in handling them in a variety of conditions. We have a 2008 Kia Sportage AWD as well as my old Jeep Commanche 4WD pickup. My wife is happy to let the Sportage do all the thinking for her and feels very secure when driving in the snow. I find that when the going gets tough the Sportage works better when I take over manual control much the same as I do with the Jeep and the system allows me to do that. I can push a button on the dash to lock in AWD, push another button to disable ESC and I can manually select the transmission gear that I want. I think that all these vehicles are comparable and it comes down to personal preference. For us price, ride and handling were important and my wife absolutely loved the colour that was available. I am over 6' tall so leg room and head room was important as well as being able to see overhead traffic signals without have to scrunch down in my seat. Go out and have fun test driving them all.
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Jack of all trades, master of none
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Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2010 at 2:04pm
I noticed a small mistake in my post. It should have read that people didn't realise that they couldn't stop or steer any better than a conventional vehicle.
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Jack of all trades, master of none
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Posted By: Calvin Schmidt
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2010 at 5:55pm
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We have had a number of GM 4wd vehicles. The wife has a Cadiliac 2005 SRX AWD.
It is a rear wheel drive and the front engages automaticly as needed. It works very well with no problems
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Nothing is impossible if it is properly financed
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Posted By: Chuck(ONT)
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2010 at 7:27pm
I think the v6 is mandatory to get the trailer package on the Equinox/Terrain. My wife got an Equinox last week and loves it, and at 6'4" I am comfortable in it. Strange thing, the 4cyl. has electric power steering and the 6 has hydraulic pump. You might get more advice on the general forum.
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Never take life too seriously.
Nobody gets out alive anyway!
1C 1 WD45 1 AC180
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Posted By: BennyLumpkin
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2010 at 8:03am
Ford Edge is super comfy and comes in AWD....nice vehicle with the 3.5L V6....the wife wanted one but we ended up with an 03 Chevy Tahoe, 5.3 Z71 4x4 and she loves it.....gets around 17mpg from a V8 and you can still tow with it.
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Central PA Allis Express
1934 WC254
1945 WF
1945 WC135755
1951 WD68085
1953 WD45-150217
1957 WD45D-230744D
B110
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Posted By: GBACBFan
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2010 at 9:06am
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My wife loves her Edge. 22 MPH, and very comfortable riding. It's only got 40K miles as of right now, but this is looking like it could end up being the best vehicle we've ever owned.
The drawback is that it's a maximum 4 people vehicle to seat comfortably.
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"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they
are genuine." - Mark Twain
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Posted By: JohnThomas
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2010 at 11:31am
Thanks for the replies,........I'll be test driving a 2011 Equinox on these hills soon. Hope I don't scare the bee-jeebers outta the salesman!
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Life is short...Make haste to be kind
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Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2010 at 11:52am
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One thing to ask your self is do you plan to do any off roading? AWD systems are typically designed for adverse weather ON road only. If there is no way to select full time 4wd, keep the off roading to a minimum. 3.6 GM V6? You wouldn't like what I know about them...
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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford
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Posted By: JohnThomas
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2010 at 9:22pm
3.6 GM V6...
No Brian.....the 4 cylinder and no off roading...did enuff of that over the last 50 - 60 years!
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Life is short...Make haste to be kind
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Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2010 at 7:08pm
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I like the 6 speed trans. It's kind of busy, but the trade off is a 4 cyl that's not so anemic...
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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford
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Posted By: Rick of HopeIN
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2010 at 5:54pm
I have had my eyes on the Ford Edge for a while. Not sure I would go with AWD in Southern IN but my experience is front wheel drive is darn near unstoppable so that should make it just that much better and easier to drive.
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1951 B, 1937 WC, 1957 D14, -- Thanks and God Bless
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Posted By: injpumpEd
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2010 at 12:57pm
We love our FLEX we bought for my wife, it is AWD. Very stable. The best vehicle we've owned so far, she just wishes it had a sun-roof! LOL!
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210 "too hot to farm" puller, part of the "insane pumpkin posse". Owner of Guenther Heritage Diesel, specializing in fuel injection systems on heritage era tractors. stock rebuilds to all out pullers!
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Posted By: ToddSin NY
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2010 at 7:05pm
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We just bought an '07 Ford Edge. Wife loves it. Our driveway is 600 feet long and blows in bad with snow. She has yet to get stuck.
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Posted By: Herb(GA)
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2010 at 6:38pm
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Subaru has a long history of AWD; today they advertise Symmetrical AWD. I have heard it explained, but did not record details, so? In general was of opinion it is a step beyond what many newcomers to the AWD are offering today. Subaru has a sizeable assembly plant in Lafayette, IN for serving the US market. (approx twenty years old). Some models are large capacity. Engines are horizontally opposed cylinders (four or six cylinder). Gas mileage is very good; trailer towing is comparable to other similar size vehicles, therefore less than for full size pickups, SUV's.
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Posted By: JoeO(CMO)
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2010 at 7:17pm
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I have a 2004 4X4 with locking differential, does excellent job on and off road.
My wife drives a 2006 SRX Crossover vehicle.
I like my 4X4 much better because I can go further into, get stuck tighter, require a bigger tow truck and pay more when they come to the rescue.
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Posted By: Rick of HopeIN
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2010 at 8:48am
I just saw the site for new 2011 Explorer. It is looking good if you need the extra third row seats or cargo space. A lot like a larger Edge, more $$ too I'm sure..
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1951 B, 1937 WC, 1957 D14, -- Thanks and God Bless
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Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2010 at 3:13pm
John, you should not pass up a test drive of the Subaru as Herb is correct that they have one of the best tried and proven AWD systems of the lighter SUV's and also have decent trailer towing capacity in this size range.
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Jack of all trades, master of none
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Posted By: JohnThomas
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2010 at 3:43pm
I've been thinking that way...yes. I've seen them do some pretty risky things and come out without problems. Once watched one follow me thru a water hole..water came up to his headlamps as he bulldozed thru slowly..didn't even stutter! Not what I'm planning on doing anymore...
We do have a good Subaru dealer here and I've been leaning to go see them and test drive one..
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Life is short...Make haste to be kind
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