OK, now before you all attack me with comments like "that's stupid" or "it won't stop without ABS!!" hear me out.

After taking my disco through the first few snowstorms I've driven her in I can say with absolute certainty, the ABS is terrible. I am completely certain that many times I have been slowing that I've had maybe one wheel lock up which then activates the ABS; that has dramatically increased my stopping distance and almost slid me in to intersections a couple times.
I have duratrac tires with 75% life left, I have slotted, drilled rotors and SS lines. The brakes are great, the tires are great, the ABS is garbage.
I spent my life in snowy climates so snow driving is nothing new to me. I've had these tires on a previous truck, so I know how they work.
So maybe it's due to my lift and larger tires so it isn't compensating right, but once ABS starts, I don't stop.
Yes I know TC is part of the system, I want to try and keep that on, (or off momentarily.

So, is there a way to set a switch to turn the ABS off, ideally on and off at will while driving? Basically an "Oh crap I'm sliding in to an intersection so I'll hit this button" setp.
I'm guessing switching the fuse off and on would probably **** it off and it might not work again until restart? What if I can temporarily disconnect a wheel sensor then reconnect it? I read maybe doing something with the CDL switch and restarting would work, but then it would stay that way and I'd have no TC.

I expect to defend my stance. Begin the attack.

 

D2 owners spend countless hours and funds trying to turn the 3 Amigos off. This guy wants to turn them on.



Some people just want to see the world burn.

 

Haha, here's something funny. I have the 3 amigos on, and my abs still works. Some Rovers want to watch the world burn too.

 

What do you need to fix it? I have a scanner that pulls Rover ABS codes.

 

I'm not sure. It's not something I'm horribly worried about right now, it's been on for a year+ and hasn't caused me any troubles other than traction control not working, but sometimes that's fun. The CDL I'll be installing in the next few months should solve the traction issues off road.

You're not far though, just up in Roanoke. You make it down to the Southwestern corner of the state often?

 

Colorado probably has milder and generally nicer winters than we do I guess. Here in northern Quebec, I would never go back to the bronze age when we were driving without ABS, especially in something as heavy and with such a high center of gravity as a Disco 2. But that's just me.

Personally, I think the simple answer is if you can't stop in time, you were going too fast. Period.

But to answer your question, it would be a simple matter to install a switch directly on the modulator to prevent it to work. But then you would lose traction control, and you would also have the three amigos, as others have stated previously. I'm also not sure how fast would the reaction be from the time you flip the switch to the time the ABS actually stops working.

I'd be interested to know how it actually turns out if you ever do try it.

Cheers,
Georges

 

My traction control kicked in several times in the past week with all the snow we've had. It was really nice, I'd recommend getting it fixed. I'm also about to install the CDL on mine, and I've heard the combination of a CDL and working tracking control is amazing.

I don't often make it down there, but if you were in Roanoke again we could meet and I'd be happy to let you pull codes.

 

Yea, I've felt mine kick in twice (when the 3 amigos mysteriously went off) and it was greatly helpful. I'm not up that way often, but if I make it up that way I'll definitely give you a shout. It would be nice to get that worked out. Thanks!

 

I am quoting here from the Pajero ABS section of the handbook, I can't be bothered to look up the D2 ABS section as it will be exactly the same as all ABS systems are, give or take, the same.

"WARNING"

"The system will not always guarantee shorter braking distances. On sand hills, gravel and snow covered roads the ABS braking distance may be longer than in normal vehicles"

That explains everything to me. ABS is designed for a person to maintain control of the vehicle whilst braking and steering simultaneously on slippery surfaces and is not a guarantee of shorter braking distances. It is the experience of the driver to drive within the limitations of the road conditions and their ability. ABS doesn't necessariy stop wheel locking on slippery surfaces and it's a common fallacy believing it can. If the truck is sliding too far the obvious remedy is to slow down, look ahead and use judgement not rely on computer aided mechanical means. I know this isn't what you want to hear but it is factual. If you want to dispense with ABS just remove the ABS modulator and bridge the brake lines and you will then have servo assisted brakes only but you will also lose TC function as it is part and parcel of the ABS. How you deal with the SLABS ECU and false codes I haven't any idea.

In all honesty I have never had any issues and have driven thousands of miles in snow and ice with ABS and modified my driving technique to suit appropriately. ABS is not the panacea for all ills of the slippery surface, nothing is except driving technique and foresight.

 

^This