I just took delivery of my first Dakota, an 02 QC 4X4. But the transfer switch on the dash is labeled 4LO, 4HI and AWD. Is it really AWD? Or 2WD but mislabeled? Also does anyone know where I can find an owner's manual?

 

there are daks that are AWD. i dint belive it when i first heard it. but theres a few ppl on here that have the awd system.

 

I assume you have the 5.9?(rare on the 4.7) If so yes the system is awd. I couldnt stand having awd.

 

i have the AWD system, but with the 4.7. i dont mind it at all. it gets better mpg than the standard 4x4, and it saves on tires as well(no brake stands or spinning the tires off the line)

 

how's it get better MPG than the standard 4WD?

 

i will try to find the old post that had a good explanation of why the better mpg. it has to do with not pushing all of the front drive shafts all of the time. ill try to find the older post. the last week or so (5 or 6 fillups) ive been 16.8 mpg average. dont know why, the new plugs maybe.

 

so it's like a 70/30 split or 80 /20 split??

 

Mine is the 4.7 also. I've never seen AWD AND 4WD before. Are there any special concerns for it? I had an AWD car before (90 Eagle Talon TSi AWD) and it had a viscous coupling (which leaked and locked up at 110K miles) between the front and rear driveshafts.

 

oh ok that seems pretty decent for an auto...idk haha i get 17.5+ usually 18.5+ and thats with the regular it just seemed backwards to me but thats seems like it could be legit haha

 

I've got a 4.7 AWD and wouldn't change it for anything! I'm not sure about it being MORE economical than a regular, selectable 4x4 but certainly won't be any worse.

The reason is that on all 4x4 Dakotas, the front drive shafts and axles are turning all the time. Its just how they are turned. On a AWD they're powered directly from the transfer box whilst on a 4x4 (even in 2wd), they get turned by the road. Same power needed either way!

The AWD have a center differential to allow the front and rear wheels to rotate at different speed for on-road use. When you put it into 4Hi or Low, it locks the center diff, giving it the same set up as a 4x4 with 4wd selected.

I agree with McNasty in the fact its easier on the tyres. Its also really useful in the wet. It gives so much more grip, especially pulling out of junctions, where 2wd would just spin up one or both wheels when trying to merge into traffic but there would be still be too much traction to put a selectable 4wd into 4wd in these conditions (it would also tend to plough straight on, due to front and rear axles being locked together!).

Its just a straight 50:50 split without any viscus or limited slip in the center diff. If only they made a TrueTrack for the center diff it would be perfect!