Driving in the snow question?

[subaroo808]

It has nothing to do with driving in the snow but I know that here in Hawaii they are in the process of banning awd vehicles to some 4wd only roads. one place specificaly is Waipio valley http://www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Waipio-Valley.htm

 

 

They are arguing that a lot of awd vehicles including Subarus do not have a low enough gear to go down into the valley and are worried about people losing their brakes, and the same for going back up the road. I guess quite a few people are getting down there but they dont have the gearing to get back up.

 

The road is pretty intense as most of the way down there are no guard rails and only a couple places to pull off to the side to let other vehicles by. You can see where cars have went over in the past, so I can see their point. BUT its still a bummer because its a long way to walk.

 

Personaly I have been down there four or five times in my 90 legacy with no issues except for having the brakes be hot at the bottom.

[nipper]

It has nothing to do with driving in the snow but I know that here in Hawaii they are in the process of banning awd vehicles to some 4wd only roads. one place specificaly is Waipio valley http://www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Waipio-Valley.htm

 

 

They are arguing that a lot of awd vehicles including Subarus do not have a low enough gear to go down into the valley and are worried about people losing their brakes, and the same for going back up the road. I guess quite a few people are getting down there but they dont have the gearing to get back up.

 

The road is pretty intense as most of the way down there are no guard rails and only a couple places to pull off to the side to let other vehicles by. You can see where cars have went over in the past, so I can see their point. BUT its still a bummer because its a long way to walk.

 

Personaly I have been down there four or five times in my 90 legacy with no issues except for having the brakes be hot at the bottom.

 

more likely people not knowing how to drive down steep hills. That sucks.

i dont see any signs demanding useing low gear like i see out west, maybe thats part of the problem. San Fran has just as steep roads and they dont seem to have a problem.

 

nipper

[subaroo808]

more likely people not knowing how to drive down steep hills. That sucks.

i dont see any signs demanding useing low gear like i see out west, maybe thats part of the problem. San Fran has just as steep roads and they dont seem to have a problem.

 

nipper

 

It does suck because the place is awesome. I do have to say though I have been to SF quite a few times and there are very steep roads but I dont remember anything comparing to this road. they say 25-45% grade.

[nipper]

It does suck because the place is awesome. I do have to say though I have been to SF quite a few times and there are very steep roads but I dont remember anything comparing to this road. they say 25-45% grade.

 

Divisadaro (sp?) street scared the f*** out of me, and i dont scare easily.

Extreemly steep, and 4 way intersections with stop signs that are for decoration if your going up hill. You cant see the cross street at all. i'm impressed and in awe of people who drive stick shifts there.

 

nipper

[subaroo808]

Divisadaro (sp?) street scared the f*** out of me, and i dont scare easily.

Extreemly steep, and 4 way intersections with stop signs that are for decoration if your going up hill. You cant see the cross street at all. i'm impressed and in awe of people who drive stick shifts there.

 

nipper

 

Yeah some of those roads/streets are pretty crazy by themselves then add no visibility and dumba** drivers. Not a good combo.

[operose]

Divisadaro (sp?) street scared the f*** out of me, and i dont scare easily.

Extreemly steep, and 4 way intersections with stop signs that are for decoration if your going up hill. You cant see the cross street at all. i'm impressed and in awe of people who drive stick shifts there.

 

nipper

 

I like my xt6's hillholder for this

[danz75]

The bonous of putting it in low with the automatic is that you lock in the AWD at a 50/50 split. Low range is nice to have, but the torque converter makes up for it, considering subaurs low range isnt all that low.

 

nipper

Is this on all model years? I thought putting the A/T into low still runs it at 90/10 unless the front wheels slip.

[nipper]

Is this on all model years? I thought putting the A/T into low still runs it at 90/10 unless the front wheels slip.

 

all model years with the 4EAT, low and reverse as per subaru.

 

nipper

[mtsmiths]

It has nothing to do with driving in the snow but I know that here in Hawaii they are in the process of banning awd vehicles to some 4wd only roads. one place specificaly is Waipio valley http://www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Waipio-Valley.htm

 

Ahhh, the Peoples' Socialist Republic of Hawaii, a third world country masquerading as a state ... Waipio road rules, just as the Saddle road ban, has everything to do with pandering to the rental car industry, and northing to do with safety or common sense.

 

I lived on the Big Island from 1978 (on & off) to 1996, and have driven down the Waipio Rd in a 2WD Ford Courier pick-up, an MG Midget, and a Ford Mustang 4-banger. Never had a problem with any of them. All you gotta do is drive the damnmthings, whatever they are.

 

That said, dem touris so lolo, mo bettah day stay on da bus.

 

We'll be back in May to look for property to build our Hawaii-ne retirement home, Big Islan' or Molokai, checkin' both out.

[montana105]

Speaking of SanFran,when I was a kid my dad and I used to crawl those same hills in a 3 ton truck fully loaded with furniture without air brakes or a hill hugger,thank god for granny gears,never forget that smell.

 

Smitty-you and the wife finally decide to head back across the ocean?

 

John

[mtsmiths]

Speaking of SanFran,when I was a kid my dad and I used to crawl those same hills in a 3 ton truck fully loaded with furniture without air brakes or a hill hugger,thank god for granny gears,never forget that smell.

 

Smitty-you and the wife finally decide to head back across the ocean?

 

John

 

One day John, one day about late 2009.:-p

 

But we're going over scouting this spring when we go back for her [CENSORED] year high school reunion.

 

And speaking of SF hills. I usted to have a Model AA Ford, 11' stakebed truck that was my shop (and parade) truck for my custom sign shop in Dorrington, CA. I did a lot of specialty work in the bay area and delivered my work in the Ford, driving those hills many times. Air brakes? Hell, that Ford didn't even have HYDRAULIC brakes!

 

As Henery used to say "The strength of steel, from foot to wheel". Thank gawd for granny low, indeed.

[subaroo808]

Ahhh, the Peoples' Socialist Republic of Hawaii, a third world country masquerading as a state

 

That said, dem touris so lolo, mo bettah day stay on da bus.

 

 

 

:grin:

[mtsmiths]

:grin:

 

So subaroo808, wheah you stay Puna side? We going try look Puna fo' da kapuna hale ... or mebbe down da bottom Wapio.

 

There was a lot for sale that we really liked, but we could never get the lolobutt real estate agent to respond to our query. Maybe they though we weren't fo' real 'cause the posting came from Montana? Was a great almost beach lot on the Hawi side of the river. Prolly couldn't get there by car when the water is up, and no power, but we can work around all that. I think I'll hit the MLS again and see if it's still offered.

 

I would LOVE to live at the bottom of Waipio, so long as I wasn't back deep under the cliff where it rains more than Hilo! There's even a good sand bottom break there, when the north swell is running in the right direction.

[subaroo808]

So subaroo808, wheah you stay Puna side? We going try look Puna fo' da kapuna hale ... or mebbe down da bottom Wapio.

 

/QUOTE]

 

I Live in Mt. View (fern acres) There is still some reasonably priced lots around

but it so crazy how many people have moved over here in the last five or six years.(seems like double the people). Also the land prices have easily doubled or tripled in some cases. We were very lucky we bought when we did because there is no way I would be able to afford it now.

 

Hawi is an awesome place I worked at a 16,000sq. ft. house the guy is a real estate investor and was selling 20 acre lots in a private gated, right on the cliff subdivision for $1,750,000. (I wish)

 

 

Well back to reality on this side of the Island. I do construction/mostly home building so I know a lot of people with either houses or just land for sale Im not sure if you would be interested in anything any of them have but I could give you some names and #s if you like..

 

Aloha J

[mtsmiths]

so I know a lot of people with either houses or just land for sale Im not sure if you would be interested in anything any of them have but I could give you some names and #s if you like..

 

Aloha J

 

Can't hurt. My son is a broker in HNL, but even he has a hard time getting agents to respond from da Beeg Islan'. Mus be all dat Puna Buttah.

 

Onliest problem is that I'm kinda rain adverse. Our place was in Waikoloa village, and we really like dry side mo bettah, but $$$ reality may prevail. We're selling a rental in Kapolei, and will be doing a 1031 exchange to avoid taxes. Kind like to find something we can rent for a few years 'til we retire back home ... where that turns out to be.

 

Oh, and just to keep this message kosher ... we WILL be bringing a modified Subaru back. I'm going to do the mods on the mainland and then ship the completed and licensed car to Hawaii, NO WAY am I fooling around with the absurd Hawaii 'reconstructed vehicle' regs (there's the S.P.R.H. factor again, ne?).

[subaroo808]

Mus be all dat Puna Buttah.

:grin: Ho brah you know dat, I get choke, da kine puna style:brow: (just another reason "lucky live Hawaii")

 

Oh, and just to keep this message kosher ... we WILL be bringing a modified Subaru back. I'm going to do the mods on the mainland and then ship the completed and licensed car to Hawaii, NO WAY am I fooling around with the absurd Hawaii 'reconstructed vehicle' regs (there's the S.P.R.H. factor again, ne?).

 

I bought my 90 legacy from the mainland and had it shipped. I figured it would have less rust. Maybe paid a little more for it that way but its a nice car (when its running).

 

I almost forgot the thread title (sorry for hijacking) but it reminds me Mauna Kea got a light dusting of snow the other day. It didnt last long but it just means that pretty soon there will be more. Love playin in the soob at 13,796'.

 

Aloha