RE: abs in a 4k?

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

> Why would you want to do this? I've found ABS to be pretty 
> useless except on
> ice. And, on the 5000, locking the center diff deactivates 
> the ABS anyway.
> So, given a choice, when driving on snow/ice, I lock the center diff.

... while I would agree generally that since the ABS system doesn't get used
often that it may have little value.  In my mind there is one characteristic
of the ABS that I believe has value.  In a car that does not have ABS you
have a single pedal, and you must modulate the pressure applied to that
pedal based on the traction at the least tractive wheel.  An ABS-equipped
car has the ability to modulate the braking forces based on individual wheel
lockup.  In ideal traction situations ABS typically is not needed by a
driver skilled in threshold braking, but the fact of the matter is that
people aren't always driving in ideal situations.  One could make the same
argument for AWD ... really, it is not necessary in most driving situations,
but in situations that are not ideal having AWD provides better car control
ability.  I use the term "active safety feature" to describe both AWD and
ABS.  

One other thing that I have realized for myself is that in some small way it
is not good to regularly drive cars that have that have/don't have ABS.  The
reason I say this is because I have to be aware which car I'm driving (4k or
urQ vs 5kQ or V8) because when it comes to panic stop situations the way one
handles the brakes is different.  

In the private message I sent, I mentioned that one of the biggest possible
advantages of an ABS conversion would be the elimination of the rear brake
pressure regulator, which often leaks ... :-) ... in reality though it would
involve changing of struts and half-shafts all the way around the car, so I
doubt it would be too practical.  Years ago I read that Timken sold wheel
bearings that had integral ABS sensors, but I wonder if they could be fitted
to a 4k or QTC, and if they would be easily integrated to the stock ABS
system.  

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)