2 wheel drive?

Dunno it this was posted/answered before but why is TEAM DAKAR USA running 2 wheel drive Hummers? Are they really 2 wheel drive - lockable electronically(passive/active) or manually?

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Permalink Reply by john mcglasson on January 12, 2009 at 1:06pm

I was kinda surprised when I heard that, but he got more travel in front in exchange, less to break/easier maintenance, and he knows what he's doing. Plus, he said with the restrictor they make him run on the Vette motor it's like "running a marathon with a straw", so it'd have no speed pushing FWD. Those VW's are an engineering marvel, I hope RG can catch them.

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Permalink Reply by Eric on January 12, 2009 at 3:47pm

If i was going to take a guess most off road cars (TTs, class 1, etc) run spool differential. Totally locked all the time. I believe its he runs an Albins trans.

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Permalink Reply by anywho on January 13, 2009 at 7:35am

Cool, thanks for all the replies. It just seems running in 2 wheel drive does not belong to an offroad rally with diff terrain. Who else is running 2 wheel drive?

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Permalink Reply by Matt on January 13, 2009 at 9:29am

The 2wd route is what allows Robby to be competitive. If he had to combat Mitsu, VW, BMW, etc with more production based 4wd vehicles, he would be very uncompetitive. He can combat hi tech 4wd systems, multi million dollar budgets for just drivetrain, and comlete manufacturer support (vehicles are largely developed in house for Mistu, VW, etc) by going down a different path with the Hummer.

It might be 2wd, but he gains with large suspension travel and vehicle balance. (not nose heavy for jumps since the engine is in the back) The fact Robby can compete with the major teams is a testiment to this.

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Permalink Reply by anywho on January 13, 2009 at 10:27am

I guess having the weight of the motor on the drive wheels really help - this is all new to me so pardon my ignorance. It's just weird saying HUMMER=2WD, ya know.....

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Permalink Reply by Matt on January 13, 2009 at 4:05pm

No worries, if you can watch the youtube videos of the Mitsu and VWs going over the big rough stuff, then watch the Hummer. The way the Hummer can get through the rough stuff comes close to equalizing the loses from not having 4wd.