2WD or 4x4??

[SoonerP226]

The way most folks drive, they endanger themselves and everyone else on the road when they go out.

That’s why I don’t really care about 2WD vs. 4WD. I may or may not be able to handle the road conditions on my own, but these lunatics are barely tolerable when it’s clear and dry. On my way home at lunchtime on Thursday, I saw two wrecks within two miles, and the roads really weren’t in bad condition at the time.

 

[SlugSlinger]

Meh, lockers on ice are a death penalty waiting to happen. Sure you have true 4x4, but turning corners at lights and stop signs gets you a turned wheel and a straight ahead push until traction. The myth that 4x4 is better on ice is just that. There is no traction on ice without tire modification or a medium put down to allow for traction.

4x4s are more expensive to own (don't believe me, price tires) than 2wds in every way. Most people should have 2wd vehicles and just stay home when the weather is that bad. The way most folks drive, they endanger themselves and everyone else on the road when they go out. Especially the ones in the 4wd trucks doing double everyone else's speed.

4x4 is better on ice when you actually want to start moving on it. It doesn’t help when you want to stop.

My jeep has traction control that actual cuts power and applies the brakes to help keep control. It’s fine with normal driving on slick streets, but sucks when I want to play, so I turn that off.

The rear locker and traction control actually works well together because the locker will unlock to cooperate with the electronics.

The front locker is never engaged unless I am on a trail and rarely need it then. But at the push of a button it will engage.

You are right about the front locker limiting the ability to steer. The rear locker will either open or my tires will slip when turning so it’s not really a factor when steering. However driving at highway speeds, I can feel the rear locker engaging on occasion, it’s like driving on a grooved road.

 

[SlugSlinger]

Yeah, I get that, but MOST people think that 4wd means they can go anywhere anytime and it's not true. Like winches. They exist to pull you further from the road so you are a little more unrecoverable when something happens. And I get the use it regularly thing. Of the seven vehicles I own, only the Subaru is AWD. The rest are 4x4.

Winches are also great at removing shrubs and dragging heavy stuff across the yard.

 

[montesa]

Yeah, I get that, but MOST people think that 4wd means they can go anywhere anytime and it's not true. Like winches. They exist to pull you further from the road so you are a little more unrecoverable when something happens. And I get the use it regularly thing. Of the seven vehicles I own, only the Subaru is AWD. The rest are 4x4.

Not many of those still around. Cool truck.

 

[cjjtulsa]

I’ve never owned a 2wd truck or suv. All have been manual operated to shift the tranfercase into true 4wd.
In fact, my dd jku has an automatic rear locker in the rear corporate 14 and an air locker in the front Dana 60.

So unless you have lockers your awd or “4wd” is in fact a 2wd.

Unless you're running limited slip in front and rear, then it's kind of 2WD, kind or 3WD, and kind of 4WD, depending.

Mine is also manual shift transfer case, manual shift transmission, and manual locking hubs. Just the way I like it.

 

[User_3155]

I wasn't going to reply to this, but after this mornings outing I'll just say 4x4 unequivocally! I have a 25 year old 4x2 Ranger I use as a knock around vehicle. Yes, there were two other 4wd vehicles I could've taken today. But I thought what the heck, I'll make a run at it with the ol' danger ranger! I knew it would take some doing, but was certain I could get it out the driveway on to pavement. After balling the tire(s?) off 30+ attempts I almost made it, but had to stop short to wait on a passing car. I backed halfway down a 1,000 ft drive and nada. So, I backed all the way back to the lean to where the gravel was dry and laid the hammer to it. MADE IT!!!!!!!

I drove to town, had to turn around and take the longer way twice because I was scared to go up a few hills My wife gave me the what for and stink eye when I got back. I decided not ask her to make me a sammich today. In closing, everyone needs a 4wd vehicle. Whether you choose to use it is your own business

 

[T. MIKE SMITH]

I've had 4-wheel drives that were terrific in ice/snow and off road- but they are just a noisy rough ride the rest of the time.

 

[Two Gun Warrior]

I’ve never owned a 2wd truck or suv. All have been manual operated to shift the tranfercase into true 4wd.
In fact, my dd jku has an automatic rear locker in the rear corporate 14 and an air locker in the front Dana 60.

So unless you have lockers your awd or “4wd” is in fact a 2wd.

Lockers are great in 4 x 4, but most awd are computer controlled to switch power from one tire to another when it slips, Lockers will not work for them. AWD are better on ice than 4 x 4 or 2 wheel drives. When I was living in Colorado the 4x4 were some of the worse things on the road especially jeeps. Drivers over confident in what they had. Knowing how to drive in what ever condition is important.

 

[SlugSlinger]

Lockers are great in 4 x 4, but most awd are computer controlled to switch power from one tire to another when it slips, Lockers will not work for them. AWD are better on ice than 4 x 4 or 2 wheel drives. When I was living in Colorado the 4x4 were some of the worse things on the road especially jeeps. Drivers over confident in what they had. Knowing how to drive in what ever condition is important.

Awd uses the same type of ring and pinion differential that a 4x4 vehicle uses. It uses the same type of differential traction control tech as in the Jeeps. It applies braking to the tire that is slipping, unless it is an electric vehicle, and the drive hubs are truly independent and not mechanically connected.

The awd uses a different mechanism to get power to the front or rear differentials. Most “4x4”, with a few exceptions, sends equal power to the front a rear differentials when the transfercase is in 4wd. An awd essentially lets power slip or moderate between the front and rear differentials.

Awd, traction control and vehicles with computers for that matter are like an AI replacement for driving skills and general mechanical knowledge. It also tries to replace the lack of understanding of the physics of motion, that a lot of us have leaned the hard way driving non-computer controlled vehicles. I learned to drive by practicing skills that I followed on the Dukes of Hazard. The J turn maneuver saved me from disaster at least once.

And to your point driving is more about knowledge of what you are driving and its limitations.

In general, the younger the driver is today the less they have to learn and know about manually driving a vehicle. In most cases with the newer the vehicle, the driver sits down, pushes a button to start and maybe another button to go. The car does almost everything for them, and eventually, will do everything including fully automated driving.