Turning Off 4 Wheel Drive Mode

[pips]

Does anyone know if it possible to "turn off" the 4 wheel drive mode?

Just a thought that occured to me one night, that maybe it is mechanically possible to disable it........ Probably wouldn't be cheap to do it?

Phil

[jonbr]

Current RAV's are permanent 4 wheel drive, AFAIK.

[knightrider]

yeah its drinks juice 2wd wud be fine for my sisters requirements

[pips]

I must admit that I wondered if it was as simple as disconnecting the drive shaft to the rear wheels, or whether that would then cause problems with the ECU etc. etc.

2wd would be ideal for the driving I do, so if it saves fuel too :)

Phil

[sjrainsford]

It's an absolute no no on the mk2 Rav 4, but it is a possibility on the mk1 because they have a central diff lock. At least on the manual version anyway.

Don't forget a differential just puts the power to whatever shaft will spin freely at the time. Therefore if you disconnect the prop shaft, the centre diff will send the power that way cause that's the end that will spin easiest.

I have a feeling the mk 2 diff isn't just a simple diff in the centre, maybe limited slip or something cause they have done away with the diff lock. Maybe it's auto diff lock? I don't know.

But theoretically, on a mk 1 all ya gotta do is remove the prop shaft and lock the centre diff. But to get the most benefit it would then pay to get free wheeling hubs for the rear wheels to remove the rear diff.

So in other words, it ain't worth it. They still won't be brill on fuel cause they are too high up, and not exactly the most aerodynamic of body shapes. Not to mention about 200kilos heavier than an equivalent sized car.

[pips]

It's an absolute no no on the mk2 Rav 4, but it is a possibility on the mk1 because they have a central diff lock.  At least on the manual version anyway. 

Don't forget a differential just puts the power to whatever shaft will spin freely at the time.  Therefore if you disconnect the prop shaft, the centre diff will send the power that way cause that's the end that will spin easiest. 

I have a feeling the mk 2 diff isn't just a simple diff in the centre, maybe limited slip or something cause they have done away with the diff lock.  Maybe it's auto diff lock? I don't know.

But theoretically, on a mk 1 all ya gotta do is remove the prop shaft and lock the centre diff.  But to get the most benefit it would then pay to get free wheeling hubs for the rear wheels to remove the rear diff.

So in other words, it ain't worth it.  They still won't be brill on fuel cause they are too high up, and not exactly the most aerodynamic of body shapes.  Not to mention about 200kilos heavier than an equivalent sized car.

←

Thanks for that, Stuart, I somehow didnt think it would be easy!! I seem to remember with the Land Rover Defender's when they came out that you did something to the wheel hubs to either engage or dis-engage the 4wd, I suppose that was basically to allow them to "freewheel".

Oh well, never mind.....

Phil.

[Uncle Bob]

On a side note...the only Rav4 ever made with 2wd is the late shape 1.8NV model, base spec, but economical all the same : :D .