ABS sucks on the dirt...

workman1000 · 05-29-2004, 05:57 AM

While I haven't had any real complaints about the truck until now, after a little offroad excursion I have determined that ABS SUCKS *** on the dirt. First of all, it renders it impossible to 'brake-steer' in the dirt, which is what is the most fun about driving in the dirt. Secondly, has anyone else tried to emergency brake in the dirt? It sounds as if the whole front end of the truck is about to come apart. A distinct metal grinding sound that is very loud and gives a horrible feedback. Then the peddle will go all the way to the floor. In addition to this, it makes the truck very difficult to stop on dirt when rolling downhill. At low speeds downhill in the dirt, the truck wants to keep rolling rather than to stop the tires. This may be how ABS is designed to work, but it sucks for a 4x4 in the dirt. At about 15 mph, I found it very difficult to get the truck to stop rolling while going downhill. Extremely difficult. So much so that I have a dent in my hood as a result.

I took it to the dealer and they said this is how it is designed to operate. They took me for a ride in a brand new Titan and it did the same thing. Every should try this to see for themselves. Just get going about 15-20 mph and try to do an emergency stop while on dirt. I mean really get on the brakes hard and you will see what I mean. Then try it while going downhill and it will scare you. And for good measure, try to use the brakes to sling the back of the truck around while in dirt. I am definitely not happy with the performance of the brakes while in dirt.

Sammy Sandbag · 05-29-2004, 12:24 PM

That's just ABS my friend. I hate offroading with it, and it in fact makes it more dangerous. I've even got a short story as well. A buddy and I were both mudding in our Blazers. I eventually got stuck in some pretty thick mud. I hooked up to him with a tow strap and he started to pull me out. Well I was WOT trying to get out, and as soon as I hit dry dirt I lurch forward. Unfortunately my buddy had already stopped his Blazer. I was only rolling about 10 mph with my foot planted on the brake. The thing kept rolling till I slamed into his rear bumper. Fun times. Moral of the story: don't off road with ABS.

bvstone1 · 05-29-2004, 01:12 PM

Hows it going to work in the snow then? I had ABS on my 4 runner and it saved my *** a few times.. but this sounds like something different..

Sammy Sandbag · 05-29-2004, 01:14 PM

ABS is meant to keep wheels from locking up. Well in the dirt and mud, the only way to stop a vehicle is to lock the wheels. Snow? I really wouldn't know, the only time I've ever driven in the snow was in a non-abs equipped car.

workman1000 · 05-29-2004, 07:42 PM

Is there any way to disconnect it? I hate it with a passion.

Sammy Sandbag · 05-29-2004, 08:44 PM

I'm sure there is a way, probably will void your warranty. You aren't suppose to modify any safety equipment (airbags, seat belts, abs, etc)

**CaliforniaTitan** · 05-29-2004, 08:46 PM

Haven't looked in my Titan files yet...but sometimes ABS can be disabled through pulling a fuse.

Chris

Sammy Sandbag · 05-29-2004, 08:49 PM

I think on some older cars you could, but they've developed ways around that to ensure it works all the time. Remember in Die Hard With a Vengeance when Bruce pulls tells Sam to pull the abs fuse, then just pulls all of them?

Chilicat · 05-29-2004, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvstone1

Hows it going to work in the snow then? I had ABS on my 4 runner and it saved my *** a few times.. but this sounds like something different..

ABS is great in snow but on ice, you're gonna slid just like anyone else. We're talking pure ice here. If it's ice patches on pavement, you'll catch on the pavement spots. One thing to remember about 4x4 and winter conditions: we can accelerate far better than normal cars but we all stop the same way.

workman1000 · 05-30-2004, 09:00 AM

I am making it a mission to figure out how to disable the ABS. ABS is for people who don't have driving skills. Its a hiderance for those who do.

Austin · 05-30-2004, 11:19 AM

The ABS control unit is fused - 30A without VDC and 40A with VDC.

VDC utilizes the ABS control unit. You'll lose VDC when you pull the ABS fuse - not a big deal.

I'm still looking through the manuals, but it appears that you may also lose ABLS when you pull the ABS fuse. Hopefully not...

Austin · 05-30-2004, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvstone1

Hows it going to work in the snow then? I had ABS on my 4 runner and it saved my *** a few times.. but this sounds like something different..

In the dirt and mud, you'll stop quicker with locked up wheels. You'll get a wedge of dirt/mud built up in front of the tire which is pushed by the truck - this slows the truck much better than with ABS.

In snow and on ice, unless you're extremely good at modulating brake pedal pressure, it's unlikely you'll stop quicker without ABS than you would with ABS. Depending on how dry the snow is, you may be able to build up a wedge and slow quicker.

workman1000 · 05-30-2004, 11:33 AM

ABLS?

I'm not too woried about ice and snow since I haven't seen any in about 15 years. I do drive around in the sand and on dirt roads quite often.

Not worried about VDC either, I don't have it.

Just pull the fuse huh? Guess I'll be the guinea pig and report back.

Austin · 05-30-2004, 02:17 PM

workman1000 - ABLS is the system that turns your open differentials into limited slip differentials.

Like I said, I'm not sure yet if pulling the ABS fuse will knock out ABLS, but if it does, I would rather leave the ABS fuse installed.

workman1000 · 05-30-2004, 04:28 PM

I'll tell you what, there is nothing worse than try to stop and the truck keeps rolling and rolling. Damn, I'm pissed about it.