4wd vs rwd? Is the extra traction worth it?

[jimmyg]

Yes I plan to get my current buggy going first but I can envisage an easy 4wd drive train setup I could implement later on.

Kfab has gone 4wd. Why?

Traction
Handerling
Driver enjoyability
Power losses

All being relevant aspects.

What are people's thoughts?

[LIDUNO]

If you’re riding conditions call for it.

[K-fab]

It was a very rocky hill climb way back when that made me realize I wanted 4x4. My old Deztaz would have made it up the hill but it would have been absolutely brutal. I was in my old 900 Gayzer just getting the crap beat outta me but slowly made way up to the top.

Being that the MR is an all around usage vehicle, not a race car, and that we use low 4x4 in our Gayzer fairly often (up hills & slow, technical crap) I realized that I wanted to have that option.

I run 4x4 quite often in the deeper sandy washes in the Gayzer too. Goes where you point it a lot better with the front end pulling.

One other (cheating) aspect of the MR is that I’m running the Polaris “international” transmission - it has an electronic locking rear diff. Makes moving it around the garage a lot easier and doesn’t leave black tyrah marks everywhere.

With the articulation that some of the UTV axles are capable of, my limiting travel factors were bodywork interference and suspension component bind. The cv joints aren’t even close to the limits.

[jimmyg]

Looks like RWD is my best option then.

I'm never going major off roading it so sounds like it's not worth it.

Thanks guys.

[JD66]

Learned a few things from the buggy I built years ago. Poor visibility over the hood combined with a manual trans (hayabusa) and 2WD made for some sketchy hill climbs. Can't be too heavy on the throttle when the trail is rocky and you can't see over the peak of the hill.

[mrniceguy]

I would love to build a 4wd buggy one day. The problem is finding driveline parts that are strong, compact, light and affordable. Have a look at the proformance diffs and transfer case (made in Perth, Western Australia). Perfect for the job, but eye wateringly expensive.

You've seen this, right?

http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic....=asc&start=210