>>28639356
>Do you leave them unlocked for driving around town and just lock them when you go offroading?
Yep
most vehicles that have manual hubs don't have selectable center locking diffs. They also can reduce wear on front end parts.
>If I put it in 4wd and leave them unlocked, is it 4wd or still 2wd?
2wd

you're supposed to leave them unlocked until you get stuck somewhere. then you get out, spin the knob on the spinning wheel to lock, get back in, get yourself unstuck, then get out, put them back to unlock, then get back in, and continue on your drive. driving locked when you don't need it will fuck shit up.

>Do they have to be locked for the car to actually transfer power to the front wheels? If that's the case, what's the point of the 2wd/4wd selector if you also need to go out and lock the hubs?
Yes, with them unlocked the wheel will spin freely.
They can also be an easily/cheaply repairable failure point as compared to a flange.

>>28639369
>>28639367
>>28639364
thanks friends
so basically 4wd = select 4h/4l+lock hubs
anything else will be 2wd?

>>28639356
I double clutch my upshifts, love when I nail it and it slips in like butter. And I just like the idea of my car working as mechanically smooth as possible. Why is their so much hate and misinformation on the topic even on enthusiast forums (eg. Conflating double clutch with blipping, conflating double clutch with heel toe, confusing the difference of blipping neutral vs clutch in, muh big rigs, muh throwout bearing). I went out of my way to get a car with three pedals and I'm going to use them. Is that so weird.
And also how do I get butter every time? Sometimes it just seems random.

Been driving manual for a couple of months now, still getting used to rev matching my downshifts. Going down from 5th to 4th is fine, but 4th to 3rd can get pretty weird. When I blip the throttle I can usually hear the engine rev up and I use the sound to gauge the rpm, but going 4th to 3rd I sometimes blip the throttle like I normally do and the response is a lot weaker compared to 5th to 4th. Like I'll blip, rpm won't rise as fast, and the engine is quiet. Any tips on improving the blips? Sorry if I didn't describe it well.

I drive an 8th gen Civic Si

>>28639403
I'm like a year and a half into my journey >>28639391 so take it with a grain of salt
The gear itself won't affect the throttle response. I think since it's all computerized they can just be programmed weird that's supposed to make it easier but it's actually less intuitive. I can, with neutral or clutch in, touch the floor with my accelerator and the rpm hardly moves. It's much more a function of how long I'm pressing than how much I'm pressing. So yeah I found it weird too but just kind of got used to it.
3rd to 4th on my car isn't a big difference, it's 3 to 2 that I had to get used to but now it's one of my favorite shifts.

>>28639391
i never bothered double clutching on upshifts since i figured the engine will lose revs anyway, for me it was damn satisfying when i nailed a downshift and the shifter slid into gear with nearly no resistance

I have BC coilovers and desu they're too uncomfortable. The roads in my area are pretty rough and I live on a dirt road.
Would a set of KW V2 be likely to be significantly better? What are my options? Not doing lowering springs.

Can anyone shed any light on B7 Audi A/S4 manual transmissions? Wikipedia has no info on who made them, and I want to know what kind of power I could put through either/or before it breaks. My idea would be to use the manual in an AWD build if it's plausible.

>>28639356
Leave the passenger side hub locked so you only have to lock the driver side when switching to 4wd.

>run over curb a bit with right two wheels
>paranoid I got a flat or something, check pressures when I get home
>front right is 32 and rest are 35 as they should be
>oh fug
>check pressures next day
>front right is 32 and rest are 35
>wait what?
>check next day
>front right is 32 and rest are 35
THEN WHO WAS 3 PSI??

How bad of an idea is it to drive bias-ply drag slicks on the street if you're diligent about checking the forecast? I have an extra pair of wheels for my street trugg. Would a small puddle instantly send me spinning?

>>28639364
What if you only lock one?

>>28639655
this shit is a trip, I think I've got a slow leak in my front passenger's side tire cause I hear a cyclical noise from that area sometimes after driving for a while and I've tried 4 different pressure gauges (a digital one on a big ass commercial compressor, two of my dad's old pen style from different manufacturers, and a new analog dial type I bought online last week) over a couple weeks now and they ALL read different pressures relative to each other.
I'm gonna soap spray the fuck next week when I get time and see if I can prove to myself I'm just overthinking.
My advice is set them all correct and then wait longer between pressure check intervals, like a week or two, then see if they don't match.

>>28639388
Yes.
>>28639655
It's holding pressure. Top it off and don't worry about it. It isn't a woman and won't gain the 3 lbs back on its own.
>>28639687
Don't know your setup or location but legit slicks anywhere but a dedicated course is a terrible plan. Where I'm at the forecast is wrong all the fucking time, and even if it weren't there are hydrant clean outs, river fords, and cops with quotas. Equipment violations aren't as lucrative as moving violations, but revenue is revenue.

>>28639706
Basically the same as having both locked. Some people do >>28639625

Also you should lock both every so often just to keep them happy.

>>28639706
The hub connects the wheel to the axle half-shaft. Assuming it is an open differential, all the power will go to the opposite wheel. Even if it isn't, that type of asymmetric load isn't good on a shitload of components so you should not do that.
Also, cycle them and use your 4wd at least every couple months to keep things loose and lubed. Super common for shit to break when it gets engaged for the first time in half a decade.

>>28639367
>unlocked until you get stuck somewhere.
wrong. When brand new you lock them and drive 300 miles to be sure the front end is broken in properly. Locking the hubs means the front axles turn and do the gears in the front diff but there is no engine power going to them because you do not shift into 4 high. If you know you are going to need 4wd or the dirt sand road is rough you just put it in 4wd and it helps smooth out the ride and improve handling, but you are not supposed to use 4wd on hard dry roads or paved roads. You do not need to keep getting in and out and locking and ulocking the hubs on the same road or snow for traction. I have 400,000 + miles on my taco and drove the shit out of it in the snow and off road and never had a problem with the front wheel drive system.

>>28639388
>so basically 4wd = select 4h/4l+lock hubs
>anything else will be 2wd?
is the truck new or old? If old change the oils in the transfer case and front diff, it takes special oil because of the type of gears. Look it up on the manual. Stop, lock the hubs and you can start driving then if you need high 4x you can shift into high 4x while driving but at low speeds like 30 or less and the road should be snow or sandy/loose, not paved. let off the gas and gently shift the lever into high 4 it should go in easy. If this is the first time for you go ahead and stop, then shift. Drive slowly and get used to the feel. stop where safe and shift into 4low, very slowly let the clutch out (I have a manual) 4L is VERY low, max speed is like 2 mph. Just parctice slowly shifting gears and get used to the speed ranges for low range and high range. If you drive manual you will need some experience before any steep climbs or descents. If you are going down a steep hill keep your hand on the gear shift lever so it dow not pop out of gear with all the bouncing the truck suddenly accelerate downhill if it pops out of gear. Take it easy and get used to it. Keep up oil changes and it will be a great ride.

>>28639706
>What if you only lock one?
always lock both or none, its good habbit. You do not want to forget and lock one and put it into 4x mode.

>>28639731
Appreciate it anon, I've never done any sort of offroading so this is all a very new world to me. It's a samurai, picked it up for cheap and already have all the basic filters and belts and such ordered and will do full fluids flush when I get it all.

>>28639750
>any sort of offroading
its great, just go slow and learn safely. I almost rolled my new truck waaaaayyyy out in the middle of nowhere. I thought you just put it in 4x and drove off. Saw plenty of accidents in the snow, I slid threw an intersection at 5 mph because it was down hill and just could not stop. Tires make a huge difference between highway driving, snow, ice, sand. You can drive almost anywhere, but take into account specific situations and tire ability, tire pressure, ground clearance stuff like that. My truck is 1999 and I did a lot of highway miles and mountain snow driving. I did not notice that my front suspension springs were worn out and the front lost about two inches of height until I went off roading again and almost hit my front diff a few times. Got new taller springs and some better offroad tires and its much better. Watch a bunch of vids of people getting flats, stuck and unstuck and how they prepare. Now when I go far out somewhere I have a sat phone, spare belts, plugs, spark plug wires and coil packs, oil, coolant, shit load of tools, and numerous ways to fix flats. Slowly learned and accumulated. Oh, get a repair manual for you samurai it shows all the parts and diagnostics. Write your VIN in the manual and keep it with your car in case you need to trouble shoot or fix something.

Learning to drive manual and I keep finding conflicting information
I find posts and videos telling me that I shouldn't give too much gas and just try to take off with the clutch since giving too much gas will launch the car and hurt the clutch, I also find stuff telling me that you should be giving ample gas. And then some people telling me that it's impossible to give a car too much gas when engaging clutch, more gas never hurts. What's the reality?

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Can we fix it?
I let the lady drive it for a day

Does anyone have the reddit post where the guy is a truck owner and he's saying how he'll never dare scratch up his bedside?

>>28639795
Try to find the (smallest)amount of gas/revs so that when you start releasing the clutch the car starts moving, but the engine doesnt start choking. You want to feel that the engine didnt lose too much power when you release the clutch, but you also dont too many revs since a huge difference between the spinning engine and static wheels means that you will either:
Spend more time with your clutch half engaged (slipping), until your wheels match your revs
You release the clutch suddenly. Yes, your engine will push through, but you give it an uneccessary shock.
I aim for least amount of having the clutch half engaged while alowwing me to floor it if neccessary.

Now my question for sqt: I had my hand brake cables changed recently. Right one is engaging the brake slightly even when I don't pull on the handle. My right brake disc is heating up more than the left one. Should there be any force applied to my brakes if im not engaging them? Should I let the brake pad wear down over time?

>>28639750
Were you able to find the owner's manual for it? They usually have lots of useful stuff explained in them, sometimes they even have tips on defensive driving, offroad recovery and stuff like that. I mean your question about the hubs has to be answered there.

>>28639795
Your clutch is a wear item.
Wearing it down doesn't hurt any other components, unlike clutch packs and brake bands in automatic transmissions.

>>28639367
What a fuckin chore. I like nothing better when I'm out wheeling than to switch between 2wd, 4wd hi and 4wd lo without even stopping the vehicle. Subaru figured out how to do it 45 years ago why can't anyone else.

>>28639986
>Subaru
>4wd lo

I leave mine locked all the time because I am in and out of 4x4 at least 4 times a day.

They just lock the hubs which gets the front axle engaged to the road. If you aren't in 4x4 there won't be any wind up on most vehicles.

They aren't really a "real offroader" feature. They are actually a fuel saving highway feature. "Real offroader" will have no reason to have freewheeling front hubs.

>>28639991

Zoomer detected

>>28639993
>They are actually a fuel saving highway feature.
And cost-saving feature as well
The alternative is to use vacuum or some form of electric actuation to disengage front shafts. I remember older Fords going with the former and GM trucks having the latter.

>>28639996
>1.462:1

>>28639984

While I think autos suck. Clutch packs and brake bands have near no wear. Once in gear the only thing slipping is the torque converter until the TCC locks up. Main problem with automatics are the nigs that don't change fluid ever.

>>28640008

Land Rover Defender is about 1.577:1 at the transfer case.

>>28640009
They do wear down if the torque is close to the limit the transmission can tolerate. One solution is to increase pressure and speed up the application of it as far as I understand.
Idk about sucking, I mean they do have pumps and even sumps, the said torque converter is the game changer compared to a clutch. It's not a wear item, it can actually increase engine torque while coming from a stall (compared to a clutch which decreases it while not fully engaged).

>>28640012
What? LT230 is 3-something

>>28639356
If I don't have directional tires can I just put them all on in random order when switching out summer and winter and call that good for the tire rotation?

>>28639991
>"subaru not a proper 4wd bro"
Mine has no center diff (dog clutch) a rear locker and yes low range. Routinely get held up by "proper" 4wds getting bogged in front of me on the beach.

>>28639356
Just ran over a can
What are the odds it slashed the tyre?

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>>28639356
What winter tires should I get?
Current contenders are:
>Michelin Alpin 7 (104,62 € to 124,71 €)
>Continental WinterContact TS 870 (104,62 € to 123,08 €)
>Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 (108,52 €).
Size is 205/55R16, they'll go on a E36 320i sedan.

Saw 1mm diameter bits in my oil when I changed it last but honestly couldn't recall if the pan wasn't just full of rocks when i got it out. Magnet wouldnt help because my engine is aluminium.
Would my engine even still be running if 1mm chunks were getting ripped out?

Mavis Discount cheapo tires, they any good? I frankly expect the car to die/get sold before the tires wear out so I'm not concerned about warranty length.

>>28640760
It's entirely possible, as it depends on where those chunks are being removed from. Check your oil filter for debris.

>want custom headlight
>Buy and ship a pair for cheap to guy for customizing
>He says they're not restorable
>Ok, overpay a bit for some pristine ones to send to him
>He gets them, works on them, they look great
>Get them
>Left lens is full of what looks like plastic shavings that won't shift
>Send them back
>He takes them back apart, apparently they're actually deep chip marks inside the lens
>Not really supposed to touch the inside of a headlight lens but he tries, just makes it worse
>Lens is now totally fucked
I'm already overbudget and now I'm gonna have to spend money on a whole new left headlight just to scavenge the lens from it. Its a 24 year old car so they're hard to come by in good condition. Even an aftermarket copy is pretty expensive and I can't be sure of the quality.
What do? What fucking do?

>>28640532
Get studded Nokians

>>28640842
Ok thanks. It was clean if I remember right.

>>28641038
>want custom headlight
>buy new aftermarkets
>customize them yourself

>>28641068
Aftermarkets are shit.
And they've already had all the work put into them.

>>28641082
Even worse than 24 year old used OEMs?
Is it possible to do lens transplant from new aftermarket to used OEMs?
What car is that?

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are aftermarket wheels considered 'rice'? how do second owners view them when purchasing?

personally, when I see aftermarket wheels I'm inclined to stay away because who knows what else that idiot's done to the car.

>>28641263
>are aftermarket wheels considered 'rice'?
100%.Especially cheap ricer rims like that.
>how do second owners view them when purchasing?
You can safely assume the first owner was of the ethnic variety.

>>28641263
>are aftermarket wheels considered 'rice'?
no, unless they're cheap reps or autozone specials or wheels that fit poorly.
>how do second owners view them when purchasing?
depends on the wheels. If I bought a miata with 6uls I'd be happy with them.
>>28641264
>enkei
>cheap ricer rims
lmao

anon just keep the stock wheels as well, throw some winter tires on them or something as spares. Stop worrying about doing extremely easily reversible things to your car in fear of what the next owner will want you dumb cuck.

>>28641263
It depends
>Are stock wheels ugly? If yes, move to question 2
>Are the aftermarkets tacky?
If no, it's fine.
Some cars (FRS, BRZ, C8 corvette, modern Hondas come to mind) just have horrible stock wheels. Dumping them for something less upsetting isn't a crime, though it's arguably a waste of money.

>>28641088
I think its possible to transplant, i suspect the plastic will be ultra cheap shit.

>>28641263
Who the fuck cares what retards label "rice"

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>>28641263
just don overdo it
>keep your melanine low

>>28639391

Rev matching upshifts is pointless and retarded unless you have a box with no synchros

>>28641063
I don't need studded tires, I'm a cityfag who's going to expect less than 5cm of snow this winter but a lot of dry cold and wet cold streets with some black ice.

Car is broke. While I wait for a tow, can I keep my jump starter battery on my car's battery to run accessory mode longer damage any of the electronics? Or will I just end up draining both the jump starter and battery at the same time?

>>28641999
>expects black ice
>doesn't need studs

>>28642054
Take a fucking hint man (€), you cannot drive studded tires in most parts of the EU because they're fucking banned for all intents and purposes save a few places and conditions where you really need them.
I neither live in the hills nor in the nordics, I don't drive a off-road vehicle, I don't need studded tires, I don't want studded tires, I am not allowed to drive studded tires.

I just wanted to know which one of the three tires I posted are the best hoping some hero-anon had driven all of them because there's no test/review out that compares them directly yet.

Jesus.

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>>28642101
>country still not mentioned
>climate and scenarios partially disclosed only after a reply
Here's a hint how to ask questions to increase the probability of real answer. I don't think there is a lot of people here knowing these exact models of tires, let alone having driven all three. Maybe post a pic of all three, some tires are easy to rule out just by looking at them (like those obviously 4season not winter dedicated) and pics tend to attract attention.
As for the spikes, see pic. Sorry to learn you're not allowed, they are probably the best against black ice.

What's the most unobtrusive LED lighting solution I can put a 99 4Runner. I don't want to drill any holes, or have them in the most inconspicuous spots possible in case I want to remove them later. Roof rack mounted is unfortunately not an option because I have the stupid moonroof "half length" one. But I can't see fucking shit at night with these old ass headlights.

>>28642139
Led projectors retrofit into the OEM housings, saw a number of those done on your gen 4runner. Just don't go full retard with angel eyes and shit.

>>28639803
yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WQiqYlpxoY

>>28642024
it won't damage anything, it'll just drain the pack. draining your main battery will reduce its storage capacity somewhat if it's lead acid so i would avoid letting it drop below about 11.5 volts if possible

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>>28639356
Op something I haven't seen anyone say in here is that some new trucks have auto locking hubs. You can manually lock them like old days but the only other setting is auto the system will electronically control the hub in auto. This confused the hell out of me when I bought a new 2016 F250 I fucked with it in the snow and couldn't unlock it when the truck was set to 4x4.

Where can I find technical and engineering resources, preferably free, on how to properly set up a fwd car's suspension for performance/racing?

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My foxbody has an uh-oh stinky whenever it has to stop very suddenly in first gear, usually due to a cyclefag or typical naweastuh driver. It's especially bad if I have to do it on a hill (either direction.) It completely drops first gear and either idles before finding its legs (takes half a minute) or is jammed in park. If I pull it into a parking lot and turn it off and on again I have no issues. I can't tell if this is transmission, electrical, pump or something else. It might also just be the quirk of a 35 year old car. Any ideas?

>>28642666
Probably the transmission fluid. It's not electrical, AOD doesn't use those at all. If you hear any kind of hissing it could also be a vacuum leak.

>>28642666
>>28642679

Agreed with this guy. Fluid could simply be low.

>>28642503
>not reading manuals
NGMI

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>>28642770
I'm 100 sure it was faster to learn by trial than flipping though a 5000 page book that assumes I already knew WTF automatic hubs are. Last time I tried looking something up in that huge Bible it took 10 mins of searching to not find it and 2 mins of just figuring it out.

What do you think makes more sense? I have the option to either buy a new BMW M2 or do a "rental".

Buy
>60.000€
>2000€ / year taxes and insurance
>1000€ / year service (estimate)
>buying new tires every now and then (winter too) a set for 2-3000€

Rental
>700€ / month = 8400€ year
>no costs for insurance, tax, winter tires, service
>get brand new M2 every year

Really makes me think. Of course owning one would be nice. If I do the rental for 7 or 8 years I would pay as much as buying it new. But a new M2 loses a lot of value probably after 8 years. Plus who knows what failures or futher costs appear. Much less headach by renting too. I drive around 15.000km per year.

Momma needs a new car and she wants to go look at a used lot near her house. My only car buying experience was buying a used one from a neighbor ages ago so I've never really dealt with an actual salesman. I've reviewed the sticky but I'm wondering if an actual dealer would even let you do anything beyond a simple test drive
I would assume that if they know what's actually wrong with the car they'll know how to shut you down before you can investigate

>>28643354
call a mechanic before going and ask if they can inspect it. most dealers will be ok with this, the scummy ones will not. some big name dealers will send a used car through an inspection beforehand, but ymmv with those

never, never, ever finance directly through the dealership, especially if its a BHPH. these will often take the form of weird looking loans, e.g. $350 every 2 weeks. get a real loan from a real bank or pay in cash. most brand name dealerships will partner with local banks (for example my wife’s jeep loan is through Chase, but my Ford loan is through Ford Credit) but BHPH lots will run financing themselves. its an incredibly predatory practice

most dealerships will let you test drive anything as long as its not a specialty car or physically inside their showroom.

>>28643030
the rental sounds like a pretty sweet deal because if your living situation changes you can always stop driving M2s and get something different
but if you buy the M2 itll drop to $50k on day 1, then decay somewhat exponentially over the next 3-5. that said, buying new in the short term rarely makes sense unless you plan to hold it for many years

>>28642556
unironically start with ChatGPT but disregard the answers it gives you. instead look at the sources it pulls up because it will usually pull from old boomer forums

8th gen civic is bottoming out hard on NYC streets whenever 3 people are in the car, even going slowly. Feels like it could crack welds and shock towers. I want a fix I can install in a day if possible.

I'll start with inspecting the bumpstops. If theyre trashed they need replacing.
I want to buy taller and stiffer springs to stop it from bottoming out.
Shocks were replaced 2 years ago, but the car has always bottomed out like this for 3 years.

Stock ride height is 26" from ground to fender per forums. Today, with 25psi it's measuring:
RR: 25 1/8"
FR: 25 1/8"
LR: 25 1/2"
FL: 25 1/2"

Replacing stock springs might not do anything. I'm thinking of custom ordering 1" taller rear springs at equivalent spring rate. If adjusting rates, how do you calculate damping? How does one shop around for custom shocks? Easiest to just buy adjustables?

Or maybe the almost 1" height loss (compared to random dude on forum measurements) is proof enough the stock springs are sagged and I should just do springs and bumpstops.

As you can imagine, its a honda so all forum posts are unproductive arguing amongst 80iq individuals.
Thanks for reading.

>>28644072
Forgot to add its really just the rear suspension thats bottoming out.

Are Scion parts difficult to find in general? There's a nice deal for a used one I'm thinking of nabbing

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>>28639356
Are Mass Airflow Sensors really just fucking off-the-shelf through-hole resistors (thermistors I guess) one could pick from their tube TV or is autodoc fucking with me?

Pic rel, it's the MAF sensor for a Nissan Micra K11 with a cg10 engine.

>>28644573
I have no clue, but my gut instinct is telling me that they're just rebadged toyota parts. Check first before pulling the trigger.

>>28644620
>Are Mass Airflow Sensors really just fucking off-the-shelf through-hole resistors (thermistors I guess) one could pick from their tube TV or is autodoc fucking with me?
>Pic rel, it's the MAF sensor for a Nissan Micra K11 with a cg10 engine.
no
it's a thermistor of a very specific resistance inside a carefully calibrated space that exposes it to just enough air to operate. it's not just a thermistor hanging out in the open like an IAT sensor would be even though that is genuinely what it looks like. the resistance of the thermistor and the flow of air around it matters a lot.

>>28644637
So in other words, the Zener-Diode in that pic is not the actual thermistor, but the actual thermistor would rather sit in one of the nooks?
i.e. the part is legit?

>>28644658
yes
air actually goes in that scoop near the bottom of the part and the actual maf sensor is in there.
i cannot find any explanation for the single exposed diode on the side, maybe it was just easier to assemble that way, or perhaps it is exposed so you can easily test it with a multimeter while it's attached to the car.

>>28643354
if she's getting late model, just do carvana or carmax, it's not worth dealing with these stealership subhumans in the modern age.
if she wants a sub $10k car, pick 20 cars that would work on facebook marketplace, check the profile make sure they're white a clean looking with a real profile and go look at them. it's much more chill buying from a real person selling their own car as long as they're not a nigger or sketchy.

>>28644573
>Are Scion parts difficult to find in general?
not really. the common parts are mostly shared with toyotas and will be readily available, the less common parts won't be any harder to find than any 15+ year old car, ie junkyards and ebay. they were great cars destroyed by shitty marketing and a lousy economy. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

>>28644756
usually you will find the maf sensor sold as an assembly with the intake tube because the maf's flow rate is actually calibrated to the specific diameter of the intake tube it sits in. buying a sensor for a different model of car with the same engine will probably work fine as long as that diameter doesn't change.

>>28644781
So if the MAFS is in fact shot, I should replace the whole assembly?

Also why the F are my last two posts gone?