I'm trying to figure out how these cars work. We just got one and it's a 3 speed auto tranny. I know how the newer SUB's work but ours is the kind with the button to activate the 4WD. So I'm wondering if these cars run in rear wheel drive and then engage the front wheels when you push the button or do they run in front wheel drive and the rear wheels engage when you push the button? I'm assuming that power is distrubited 50/50 when the 4WD button is engaged.

 

Also, how slow do you have to be going when you engage the 4WD?

This should be in the old gen forum -- '94 is not pre 1980....

 

It is 4wd -- with the button pushed in, the front and back are locked, and you get 50/50 power split. No center diff, so don't do this on surfaces where the wheels can't slip a little. With the button out, it's front wheel drive only. You can shift in and out of 4wd at any speed (putting the clutch in briefly is a good idea on the manual transmission ones... not sure on the automatics)

This should be in the old gen forum -- '94 is not pre 1980....

 

It is 4wd -- with the button pushed in, the front and back are locked, and you get 50/50 power split. No center diff, so don't do this on surfaces where the wheels can't slip a little.

 

On my old auto 1986 vortex It had the 3 spd auto as well as the 4wd auto fuction.... If I planted foot the 4wd ingaged and when I would brake, it did the same thing.

But when the wiper was going 4wd was always on.

When I went round corners I never felt It bind up. so I thought it wouldnt have the 50/50 blinding up prob when going around sharp turns.

But when I tryed same thing in my manual brumby In 4wd it would bearly make a turn since it would bind up. ( I know now only use 4wd on the straight or on slippry surface lol )

On my old auto 1986 vortex It had the 3 spd auto as well as the 4wd auto fuction.... If I planted foot the 4wd ingaged and when I would brake, it did the same thing.

But when the wiper was going 4wd was always on.

When I went round corners I never felt It bind up. so I thought it wouldnt have the 50/50 blinding up prob when going around sharp turns.

But when I tryed same thing in my manual brumby In 4wd it would bearly make a turn since it would bind up. ( I know now only use 4wd on the straight or on slippry surface lol )

 

The automatics, being engaged by a hydraulic clutch pack, rather than just a locked gear, are more forgiving on gripy roads.

 

I actually use my 4wd in my 84, automatic sedan when driving on slippery wet roads. The hydraulic pack does allow for a tiny amount of slip. I wouldn't recommend that for regular use day to day.