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2WD VERSES 4WD
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:03 pm
by Duncan
I am thinking about converting my 4wd to 2wd. Read the fact sheet and it looks ok.
Does anybody have the difference this makes to the MPG.
Cheers Duncan
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:17 pm
by madmile
Why not just sell it and buy a 2wd -you will save very little on fuel costs, but probably create a great big white elephant that will be worth a lot less than if you left it as mazda intended.
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:19 pm
by bigdaddycain
Madmile is right ya know...there's gotta be somebody out there that would prefer 4wd over their 2wd version... ya never know they may be reading this thread!

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:21 pm
by Duncan
I thought 2wd were much better the 4 on MPH, no other reason other then that to change.
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:29 pm
by bigdaddycain
Going from experience i get around 360 miles per tank compared to dabs' (2wd) He gets nearer 400... don't quote me, i'm sure he'll confirm

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:57 am
by dandywarhol
I think the factsheet was advice for anyone with a damaged viscous coupling.
If it's just to save fuel then your still going to be lugging around the front diff, driveshafts, cv joints etc. which all cause drag, never mind the extra weight.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:14 am
by David Edwards
Yep got to agree, if it aint broke then don't fix it. Better to sell and buy another. Good luck.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:52 am
by tigs
bigdaddycain wrote:Madmile is right ya know...there's gotta be somebody out there that would prefer 4wd over their 2wd version... ya never know they may be reading this thread!

Me wanted a 4 wheel drive, help stop me getting stuck in all them farmers fields.
Which reminds any farmers on here

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:10 am
by vanvliet
Me wanted a 4 wheel drive, help stop me getting stuck in all them farmers fields.
Which reminds any farmers on here

[/quote]
Wouldn't make a great deal of difference unless you had off road tyres ( chunky tread) too . On the other hand most farmers will help out if you get stuck

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:13 am
by haydn callow
Duncan... You said...better MPH Did you really mean MPG ??
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:13 am
by tigs
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:08 am
by bigdaddycain
Can i forsee an imminent swap between Tigs and Duncan?
That's the way to go i reckon,everybody's happy that way.
Aside from the technical aspect, you really would have a job selling on a converted 4-2wd, unless you went through the palarver of converting back to a fourby...
pulling to side
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:00 am
by Duncan
Well I think on the balance of things its better to leave well alone, good debate though. And yes I did mean MPG.
Well on the same subject of the front end. When I bought my van it needed the off side cv joint doing, found the parts from Jap parts.
Also fitted alloys all round (like you do).
Problem Van pulls to the left, so far unable to stop. Tracking done, (two different garages) used the data sheet from club.
Checked brakes ok, jacked up the front, just cannot find owt obvious.
This problem is really pi##ing me off.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:44 pm
by bigdaddycain
Hmm, its a long shot, but if the tracking has been done properly,and all else is well, then maybe a perished rear bush could be the cause of the problem...it sounds weird,but a "crabbing" effect can give the impression of the vehicle pulling to one side or another.
Do all the tyres wear evenly?
Have you tried swapping the wheels around?
Are the wheels a uniform temparature after a run? (expect the fronts to be warmer than the rears)
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:25 pm
by Duncan
Thanks, I will check bushes. even thought of replacing other cv joint, i did buy two at time. Dont know if its posible is that if the cv joint i bought, (not a genuine mazda one), is ever so slightly different, it would through out the camber, but the tracking would still look ok.
Only way feel i would really know is to remove other cv joint and througly check it with venier, ( i am engineer so spellings crap but i am good at measuring.
Cheers Duncan