View Full Version : SS traction off road?
legrandice
11-03-2006, 10:10 AM
I currently own a stock 02 Trailblazer 4x4 and am looking at upgrading to a SS. I use my 02 for just about everything and am wondering if the SS is up to the task. I don't use it for normal off-roading but here are a few things that I have done in the past 2 days that I hope the SS can do.
1. pulled a few stumps out of my back yard - used 4low for this one
2. pulled a trailer of wood from my back yard up to the front - I have a steep yard and needed 4hi to not slip on the soft grass and make it up the hill. I did sink in the lawn :mad: a little bit and have tried to make it up the hill on 2wd before...that made a mess.
3. went into the field of a neaby farm to get 30 pumpkins for a party this weekend - almost got stuck in the mud - switched to 4hi on the fly and spun mud everywhere to keep momentum up - that one will be fun to wash tonight
I also tow a 4000lb boat but I am sure the SS can do this fine....
So let me know what you think. Do I need to stay with a traditional 4x4 system or will the AWD on the SS do what I need?
James
rrmccabe
11-03-2006, 10:16 AM
I currently own a stock 02 Trailblazer 4x4 and am looking at upgrading to a SS. I use my 02 for just about everything and am wondering if the SS is up to the task. I don't use it for normal off-roading but here are a few things that I have done in the past 2 days that I hope the SS can do.
1. pulled a few stumps out of my back yard - used 4low for this one
2. pulled a trailer of wood from my back yard up to the front - I have a steep yard and needed 4hi to not slip on the soft grass and make it up the hill. I did sink in the lawn :mad: a little bit and have tried to make it up the hill on 2wd before...that made a mess.
3. went into the field of a neaby farm to get 30 pumpkins for a party this weekend - almost got stuck in the mud - switched to 4hi on the fly and spun mud everywhere to keep momentum up - that one will be fun to wash tonight
I also tow a 4000lb boat but I am sure the SS can do this fine....
So let me know what you think. Do I need to stay with a traditional 4x4 system or will the AWD on the SS do what I need?
James
You need to stay traditional.
The SS AWD was not meant to leave the asphalt.
Rich
matts
11-03-2006, 11:29 AM
lol, yeah the only off roading my awd does is grass
Envoy Fan
11-03-2006, 11:34 AM
Keep the '02 for the off road stuff. Trade in value not very high anyway. The SS is for on road stuff. :m2:
Agreed...the TBSS (in AWD form), is meant to deal with the pavement...and all the seasonal conditions associated with it. :yes:
GMtech45
11-03-2006, 12:19 PM
you would have no problem with any of that except the tires would not be up to the mud part of it
rrmccabe
11-03-2006, 12:40 PM
That at it makes me cringe to think if you doing any of the above except pulling a boat (and maybe the load of wood around).
JDOV SS
11-03-2006, 12:49 PM
I have had no problem towing a boat which is over 5,000 lbs, I have used it to pull a jet ski out of an uphill rocky / sandy beach with no problem (the tires were spinning in the sands and rocks and it was fine), I have been in fields with dirt and mud and it has been fine. The only drawback I can see is it doesn't have a low range. If it is really muddy or slippery, the SS probably won't do nearly as well as a TB with 4 low. that's my .02
1BADSS
11-03-2006, 12:56 PM
I took my AWD SS to the sand pit and it worked very well. I was whipping donuts and the sand was flying everywhere.lol I don't think it'll do any good in mud unless you took a good run at it..Maybe i'll go try it and report back..:crazy:
rrmccabe
11-03-2006, 12:58 PM
sand was flying everywhere.
Haha, that makes me cringe too.
1BADSS
11-03-2006, 01:02 PM
Haha, that makes me cringe too.
I have a clunking noise in my rearend and the dealer won't fix it. So i'm trying to break it and it's not working. lol So I try and do anything possible to break the diff. neutral drops, you name it..:crazy:
legrandice
11-03-2006, 01:24 PM
Thanks for all the good feedback.
I agree that the SS looks like it's made for the road....but I would really LOVE to have all that power on tap. The TB is not really an off road vehicle anyways. When I was in the field yesterday I got into the soft spot and the truck was dragging it's whole undercarrige in the mud. I have no idea how I did not get stuck but I just backed off the gas enough so it could switch to 4wheel and then got on it hard.
So I assume that the AWD system works in that if one wheel slips then the power goes to the others. In my yard coming up this hill this will probably pull up the grass as it slips. With the 02 it works great becuse all 4 wheels are locked in and pulling together.
I am always amazed at how much the TB can do and how it always looks like new after a good washing. The only thing that left any marks was getting stuck in the sand in the cape cod dunes. This can sand blast the rims and paint really quick.
Well.....i am not going to give up hope yet. I suppose I could give up some of the mud driving but I do need to get up and down my yard without destroying the lawn.
I don't think (IE I could be wrong) the SS doesn't even have 4LO. It is designed for max performance on pavement.
ScarabEpic22
11-04-2006, 02:56 AM
Thanks for all the good feedback.
I agree that the SS looks like it's made for the road....but I would really LOVE to have all that power on tap. The TB is not really an off road vehicle anyways. When I was in the field yesterday I got into the soft spot and the truck was dragging it's whole undercarrige in the mud. I have no idea how I did not get stuck but I just backed off the gas enough so it could switch to 4wheel and then got on it hard.
So I assume that the AWD system works in that if one wheel slips then the power goes to the others. In my yard coming up this hill this will probably pull up the grass as it slips. With the 02 it works great becuse all 4 wheels are locked in and pulling together.
I am always amazed at how much the TB can do and how it always looks like new after a good washing. The only thing that left any marks was getting stuck in the sand in the cape cod dunes. This can sand blast the rims and paint really quick.
Well.....i am not going to give up hope yet. I suppose I could give up some of the mud driving but I do need to get up and down my yard without destroying the lawn.
FYI, TBs dont actually lock the transfer case, it is a viscous coupling commanded by the transmission encoder motor to a 50-50 TQ bias. If you loose complete traction for both rear tires, you wont be going anywhere as the TQ cant be transfered to the front wheels.
I don't think (IE I could be wrong) the SS doesn't even have 4LO. It is designed for max performance on pavement.
Nope, TQ transfer is done mechanically via the Torsen T-3 center diff.
A couple questions about those that have taken them in the sand......
From what it sounds like the TBSS AWD will do it? I want to take it out on the beach just want some more feedback. The terrain is basically flat but sand none the less. I have no problem airing the tires down a little, as this is what I have done in the past.
Comments from those guys that have driven in the sand is much apprciated
terdrocket
06-21-2007, 01:22 PM
A couple questions about those that have taken them in the sand......
From what it sounds like the TBSS AWD will do it? I want to take it out on the beach just want some more feedback. The terrain is basically flat but sand none the less. I have no problem airing the tires down a little, as this is what I have done in the past.
Comments from those guys that have driven in the sand is much apprciated
My SS is my company vehicle. I work for a construction company. I am constantly in the dirt with it. It does great in the sand, just make sure to turn off the traction control. Its FUN on the beach. :)
BowtieNut
06-21-2007, 03:08 PM
I think it will do most of what you are asking. I've driven mine thru the backyard thru several inches of snow and up a small hill with a trailer loaded with sheetrock. Did just fine. Personally I would avoid the mud at all costs though, the tires are just not up to it. The LS2 probably has enough power to make up for not having 4lo most times. Heck, most people actually never NEED 4lo anyways, unless you're doing some serious offroading/rockcrawling.
Thanks for help guys!
For mud and snow, yes the tires are the limiting factor. For the snow next year I might some winter tires on.
For the sand, I have had vehicles with worn out all-terrains do just fine on the beach. Air the tires down and go!
Thanks, I'll let everyone know how I make out on the beach trip and what tire pressure I use.
TD