Drivetrain of a limo

[jtvang125]

Is it just a very long drive axel to the back? I've only been in a limo once and that one time in one I wasn't exactly sober either so can't really recall a hump down the middle in the interior for the drive axel.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Well some are FWD.......

Yes, the ones that are RWD have a longer driveshaft, usually in multiple pieces.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Is it just a very long drive axel to the back? I've only been in a limo once and that one time in one I wasn't exactly sober either so can't really recall a hump down the middle in the interior for the drive axel.

You mean driveshaft.

And yes, unless it's FWD.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Is it just a very long drive axel to the back? I've only been in a limo once and that one time in one I wasn't exactly sober either so can't really recall a hump down the middle in the interior for the drive axel.

You mean driveshaft.

And yes, unless it's FWD.

Or if it has a mid engine.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Their drivetrains generally remain unchanged, except for a really long driveshaft if it's RWD, as mentioned before. They usually only have a few feet of shaft, then they put a mid-shaft bearing, then another section of shaft, and so on, until you get to the pinion yoke.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Most limos are based on the Lincoln Town Car chassis because the LTC is still built Body-on-Frame, which is very easy (at least compared to a unibody design) to stretch. The Lincoln is of course RWD and you will see a long hump for the driveshaft.

Some limos are caddy based and are for the most part FWD and thus don't need a driveshaft.

Also, those ridiculous SUV limos don't need a hump for the driveshaft, they're tall enough you can just put the driveshaft underneath without a hump.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If you want to see what the driveshaft looks like approximately, just look at the ones used by the larger box trucks as they drive by. They put a carrier bearing in the middle (not unlike my car) to keep the pinion angles happy. The FWD Northstars are easy because the drivetrain remains a "stock" setup. Both Cadillac and Lincoln have packages that are made to be made into limos with various heavy duty pieces of equipment and a distinct lack of major interior pieces.

 

[alpineranger]

Do those stretched lincolns really have driveshaft tunnels down the whole interior of the cars? I took a ride in one, once, over a decade ago and don't remember seeing that.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The carrier bearings and underbody thickness probably eliminate the need to have the clearance gained from the tunnel.

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: alpineranger
Do those stretched lincolns really have driveshaft tunnels down the whole interior of the cars? I took a ride in one, once, over a decade ago and don't remember seeing that.

The one I was in did. It wasn't noticeable anywhere but in the bench seat at the back. The seat that went up the side of the limo had the hump right in front/underneath so it wasn't a problem.