Thread: Whats the definition of a 4x4.

wow didnt think there was that many definitions as far as i can tell all wheel drive as in nissin, audi corrolla etc are full time 4x4 thru a viscus coupling to transfer drive to front or rear depending in grip other wise its about a 60/40 % split. The proposed extra taxes on 4wd all focus on the number of driven or potentialy driven wheels remember its not how good a 4x4 they are but driven wheels

Beside which, I have a book from the mid 80's called "going 4wd" - which compares all the 4wd vehicles available on the market at the time. The writers remark that there seems to be an inverse correlation between the capability of the vehicle and the number of 4x4 badges - since the least capable vehicle they tested, the toyota tercel, has 7 4x4 badges

http://images02.olx.com.pe/ui/1/89/51/15238851_1.jpg

Back then i dont think the pr people had invented the term SUV or all wheel drive

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Is there specific requirements that classifies a vehicle as being a 4x4 or just a 4WD.

Is having or not having low range a means of declaring one vehicles as being a 4x4 while another is an all wheel drive but not a 4x4 because it does not have low range.

Any clarification please?

A SERIES LANDROVER - DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERANT.

The term 4x4 refers to those big eco damage inflicting, and murderously large fuel guzzling vehicles that off roading maniacs use to traumatise mere small car drivers at intersections, and that should all be banned from city roads. This vehicle is usually fitted with a lift kit, 6 spot lights fitted at various positions and also fitted with one of those pedestrian maiming bull bars!
AWD refers to exactly the same brand and model of vehicle, but one that has been purchased by a middle class Yuppie mainly to transport Mum to the shopping centre and perhaps the kids to the soccer training. Also handy to back over bikes and other assorted items unseen on the driveway. Purely for safety reasons this vehicle may have a nudge bar fitted to the front to protect from damage inflicted by errant parkers at shopping centres and also a tow bar at the rear fitted to tow a caravan.
SUV refers to exactly the same make and model vehicle once again, only this time it has been purchased by a sedate suburban family purely for safety reasons and to carry 5 kids and a dog to school. This vehicle is perfectly acceptable on city roads, and its extra height is ideal to assist the kis recognising the vehicle as it is double parked on the pedestrian school at pick up time.
The last two are quite easily distinguishable because of the reverse park sensors, DVD players in the headrests, shiny very obvious chromium accessories and are very rarely over three years old.
Regards
Glen

Originally Posted by DMU_Dave

Blknight.aus

I thought all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles normally sent power to only two wheels (in most models the front wheels) and only sent power to the other two wheels when the computer detected loss of traction? (by which time it's often too late and your're stuck!) The driver has no ability to control which wheels are powered.

Therefore AWD is not "a constant 4WD". Constant 4WD in my understanding means drive is sent permanently to all four wheels (a la the Disco 3), or as you have correctly stated, where there is a locking diff or similar that allows the driver to ensure power goes to all wheels.

Regards
DMU Dave

it depends on which marketing book you want to believe.

I belive my mechanics book on how the drive is achieved.

depending on how the control was achieved your first example could be either a part time fourwheel drive system that simply has a clutch to engage the other wheels or it could be an all wheel drive system that has a computer controlled LSD.

but it depends on how the marketing is done. Im pretty confident that within an hour of bothering to look I could find an example of both examples labeled the same way.

Originally Posted by DMU_Dave

Blknight.aus

I thought all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles normally sent power to only two wheels (in most models the front wheels) and only sent power to the other two wheels when the computer detected loss of traction? (by which time it's often too late and your're stuck!) The driver has no ability to control which wheels are powered.
Not true, so called AWD as in X-Trail and CRV and RAV are basically front wheel drive and power to back when needed, and sometimes called 4X4 and the American term SUV. BTW, I dont like this American term.
They imply that SUV means all 4 wheel drive vehicles, yet here we mostly use the term to indicate the smaller vehicles like the X-Trail etc.

Therefore AWD is not "a constant 4WD". Constant 4WD in my understanding means drive is sent permanently to all four wheels (a la the Disco 3), or as you have correctly stated, where there is a locking diff or similar that allows the driver to ensure power goes to all wheels.
Disco 2 and 3 are AWD as power goes to all wheels at the same time. Also can be called constant 4WD. As well, the Forester was also referred to as an AWD.
Regards
DMU Dave

I knew I would start heaps of many comments re meaning of 4X2 etc.

From wickepedia, 4X4 means 4 wheels and drive to 4 wheels, and 2X4 and 4X2 means 4 wheels and drive to 2 wheels. As in 6X6 as posted by isuzurover. BTW I dont smoke.

Therefore anything with 4 wheels and drive to 4 wheels by any method can be called a 4X4, and in fact advertisements for Tojo, Patrools etc as well as LR are advertised as 4X4's. Especially in used car world, sometimes incorrectly.

As far as my D2a is concerned, I was told by LR dealer when I bought it 2nd hand several years ago, that front and rear diffs were LSD. This was demonstrated to me by LR personell, with Front Right and Rear Left wheels in the air the D2 still had drive to drive off even before diff lock was engaged.

Cheers

Interestingly, none of the Landrovers I own or have ever owned has been labelled "4x4" or "AWD". The nearest I can think of is the Series Station Wagons, which carried a badge "Four Wheel Drive Station Wagon". Do any of the newer Landovers have a "4x4" or "AWD" label?

John