Thanks!
In your opinion, a comparable tire equipped '13 LR4 would be better than a '16 without the H/D package because of the low range -even with the added electronic traction control goodies on the '16?
There is a decent selection of '13 LR4's without the H/D package but few with it for sale right now.
You do realize that the HD package is locking
rear diff and heavy duty axles
only. The 2-speed xfer case is
not part of the HD package. It was standard, with or without HD package. You have to check a vehicle for options to see if HD was added.
The 2 speed xfer case was standard in '13 and included a locking 2-speed center diff as well as traction control.
Traction control is basically reverse anti-lock brakes that limits the free wheeling of individual corners based on traction. ABS releases a brake to allow spin, traction control applies the brake to prevent free wheeling of a corner wheel, thereby transferring power to the other side. It in essence slows forward progress/power to the ground in favor of wheel traction. The traction control selector basically manages the algorithms based on expected conditions. It works left/right but not forward/rear. One axle only. For LR I believe each axle is managed separately. That said LR has developed its version to offer the best for off road, called Terrain Response. But it is still just wheel spin management.
In summary there are 3 levels of traction management:
- Traction control only with single speed center diff
- Traction control with 2 speed center diff
- Traction control with 2 speed center diff and HD option
Personally I would think 2-speed xfer case is minimum while traction control is just what is the industry standard these days. Moving to a 8-speed transmission should help but still .....