TT4 - not going to cut it

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TT4 - not going to cut it

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TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/2/2008 8:11:13 PM

ecpmd19

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Okay, I finally got to test my 1999 off-road.
I had been told and have read that the 1999 TT4 technology was less than optimal for off-roading.. And, now I have first hand experience! I was hoping to be pleasantly surprised with TT4 in action. I abosultely was not impressed! My truck needs a diff locker bad! Currently, with only TT4, its a little embarrassing..
Thanks for the advice a couple weeks ago when I asked about the Auburn locker.
After this weekend my locking diff project has been bumped up the list.
Is the TT4 in 1999s really that bad or am I being unfair?? Did it really get better in 2000 - 2003?

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/2/2008 8:20:27 PM

3hummers

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1998 H1s are very popular and one reason is that they were the most refined H1 before TT4 was introduced. A lot of people don't care for the TT4.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/2/2008 9:50:53 PM

ronb

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tt4 blows -- that's why amg put lockers in the trucks starting in '03. The t-1 torsen diffs ('98 and before) are great for btm -- the t-2 diff (starting in '99) have a much reduced bias ratio to accomodate the abs system. I heard the bias ratios improved over the years, but never got as good as the pre-99 diffs. If you wheel alot lockers are the way to go, at least in the rear. I have a rear detroit and love it. As the trails get tougher I'm wanting a front locker to ease the stress on the t-case during heavy btm'ing. I haven't decided on which locker to put in the front yet -- a detroit or auburn.

rb

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/3/2008 7:05:59 AM

ecpmd19

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Glad I'm not the only one who thinks tt4 blows.
I'll likely be putting an Auburn locker in the rear as soon as possible.
Until I get that locker in I will be keeping my truck on the "low down" as far as off-roading goes. Right now it is not impressing anyone.. Hmmm, maybe some of the problems could be the driver... but right now I am going to blame tt4! ;)

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EP
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1999 H1 Wagon
2006 H2 SUV

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/3/2008 8:11:11 AM

ronb

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I don't have a tt4 truck but know several who do. The trick is to keep a steady throttle and give the tt4 time to engage -- your instincs will tell you to let off just before the truck engages. Once you let off the gas it cancels it and the whole process starts over again.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/3/2008 8:13:20 AM

3hummers

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ronb tackles some stuff most of us mere mortals shy away from. Get a rear locker and you will be fine. You can blame the TT4 but we know the truth. LOL

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/3/2008 12:20:16 PM

ronb

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don't give me too much credit -- my butt puckers just as much as the next guy. I was on a run this weekend with a gent who had a rear detroit, and stock t-2 torsen/ tt4 in the front. He ended up breaking a halfshaft on a rock climb -- probably because the rear was doing all the work with little to no help from the front. In the truck's defense it was a heavy truck (decked out '01/'02 wagon, roofrack with all the goodies, 39.5 iroks) and he might have been letting off the gas before the tt4 fully engaged. He was being pretty gentle too, not heavy on the gas at all. It was a rebuilt halfshaft so...?

rb

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/3/2008 2:37:33 PM

3hummers

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Were you at Big Bear this weekend or somewhere else? I know some guys that went to Big Bear and was talking to them Sunday. Someone broke a half shaft climbing up a rock shelf. Anyway they sounded like similiar circumstances.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/3/2008 5:30:08 PM

ronb

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yep, same trip. It was fun, but too many trucks (15 total -- it's nice to keep it at 8 or less) and we got a pretty late start.

There were holes dug by other vehicles in infront of these two rocks. Got the front up fine, the back was just slipping. He was being pretty good about not spinning the tires/hammering the gas. I think it was a combo of the wagon's weight, the halfshaft being a rebuilt one (maybe there was a problem with the cv not apparent to the rebuilder?), and the tt4 sucking arse and not helping. The rear was doing all the work.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/5/2008 4:55:48 AM

hmcoleap

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rb, there was a batch of rebuilt halfshafts out there that had some problems a while ago - did the shaft itself break? I had a couple of rebuilt shafts that snapped when they shouldn't have, and you could see the flaws in the metal where the shaft broke.

Oh, and yes - TT4 is terrible, especially the earlier iterations. A locker will improve the capability of the truck significantly -- there is a big difference between systems that prevent wheelspin, and those that respond after they sense wheelspin.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/5/2008 8:01:28 AM

ronb

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It was the inner cv that went, maybe I'm remembering it wrong but I'd swear he was being really gentle. I'm waiting for someone to post the video so we can see it.

I'm glad you reminded me about the bad rears...I have a versa kit (last option if I break all the others!) that's a few years old. I had heard that there was a batch of bad rear shafts. I talked to Scott and he said to send it in to exchange it but I forgot about it! I have a few broken ones that need a rebuild so maybe I'll send all three in for tlc.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/5/2008 8:34:05 AM

3hummers

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Where is the best place to buy spares? I have picked up a few here and there, Ebay etc but not from anywhere consistently. Greenwood was selling out a bunch of their spare H1 parts about a year ago and I got some new ones from them.

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RE: TT4 - not going to cut it - 3/11/2008 6:49:08 AM

hmcoleap

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Best place to get spares depends... if you want the strongest shafts available, you need to get the OEM ones, from a dealer or distributor that sells OEM Hummer Parts.
If you want a cheaper alternative, that also provides some flexibility (i.e. carry fewer spares), then you should get a versa-spare kit from Scot at http://www.sax-express.com/.

I personally have a combination of Versa-spares, old broken shafts, and cheap military spares that I picked up on e-bay; I use the balance of my good remaining parts to make up some spares. Of course, I also centered my front diff, so I only need one sized spare - but that is a whole different issue!

Making good spares from OEM and Versa-shaft parts: http://hummer.off-road.com/hummer/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=468010

Centered front diff (this one may not be for everyone!): http://hummer.off-road.com/hummer/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=476257

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- -Manny

/''T''|[___|___]
[---T--L -OlllllllO-]
()_)"""()_)/"**"\)_)
http://www.serious4x4.com

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