Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-mode drive system that precisely orchestrates a shift between gear ratios in a power take off unit and a rear drive module. The method first shifts between gear ratios in the power take off unit and then, depending upon the success or failure of the shift of the power take off unit, shifts between gear ratios in the rear drive module.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

Abstract: A removable noise-reducing cover for a luggage rack bar, where the cover has an elongated main body portion having a lower surface and an upper surface with at least one integral noise reducer. The main body portion is arranged to be removable and reattachable to the luggage rack bar.

Abstract: A removable noise-reducing cover for a luggage rack bar, where the cover has an elongated main body portion having a lower surface and an upper surface with at least one integral noise reducer. The main body portion is arranged to be removable and reattachable to the luggage rack bar.

Abstract: A shroud for a vehicle engine cooling fan mounted to a generally rectangular radiator that has fixed air guide vanes in strategic areas of the shroud outside of the periphery of the fan blades to direct and channel streams of peripheral air flowing through the corners of the radiator into these areas inward and in a swirling pattern into the fan blades and more particularly in a generally smooth and circuitous path counter to the direction of rotation of the fan and directly onto the pumping surfaces of the fan blades. This effectively feeds additional air into the fan and preloads the blades so that air pumping efficiency is resultantly improved and more air is moved through the radiator for improved heat exchange.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a fluid containment device secured to, or integrated within a vehicle cowl or louvered panel serving to divert water or windshield washer fluid "run-up" away from the operator's line of vision. Such run-up of fluid tends to occur in the vicinity of the ends of a wiper blade at the end of its final or intermittent downward stroke. The fluid containment device is formed to include a ramped lead-in front surface and a vertically oriented trailing surface, creating a high pressure, low velocity space adjacent the rear surface thereof, causing a turbulent airflow to circle downwardly and spiral laterally. The result is to urge the fluid downward toward the base of the louvered panel, and laterally toward the outboard sides of the windshield.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack article carrier having a protective rubber insert strip secured in a channel formed in each cross rail of the roof rack. A leading edge portion is formed on the insert strip so as to curve downwardly along an arcuate upper front portion of the cross bar, terminating in a down-turned rounded edge, to thereby provide a virtually wind noise resistant roof rack.