Do you own a four wheel drive truck or utility vehicle? They are also referred to as 4WD. These vehicles can go places where standard vehicles cannot. You might wonder how this type of drive system works. Here is a brief rundown.
Rear wheel drive
Your four wheel drive vehicle has similar components to a rear wheel drive car. There are not too many of them, left today. They have been replaced by the more efficient front wheel drive vehicles. However, the pickup truck and the SUV are still made in this fashion. The two wheel drive vehicle starts with a motor. This motor is not transverse or sideways like most cars, today. The front of the motor is in the front of the car.
Behind the motor, sits the transmission. The motor and transmission connect via a clutch disk. This works similar to brake pads. The clutch disk and flywheel spin together, when engaged. This is for a manual transmission. An automatic is similar in operation.
The transmission transmits power to the drive line from the motor. The drive line attaches to the rear end. The differential leads to the rear wheels.
The drive line and differential attach via gears. They mesh together to transfer the power to the wheels. Of course, it is more involved than that. This is a general idea of what happens.
Four wheel drive trucks
The four wheel drive system employs the same basics as the two wheel drive truck. There is the addition of a transfer case. It sets alongside the transmission. The transfer case contains a drive line that runs to the front of the vehicle. There is a differential in the front also. This is one way to tell a two wheel drive from a four wheel drive. The four wheel drive will have differentials in the front and rear. The two wheel drive only has one in the rear.
Between the transmission and transfer case is a drive chain. This is what turns the front drive line. When everything is engaged, the front and back wheels all have power. You get superior traction and performance in off-road conditions. They can do things that normal trucks, cannot.
The older trucks will have hubs that lock, manually. This allows you to disengage the front drive system. Newer vehicle have hubs that lock automatically. You do not always need power to all four wheels. Gas mileage drops down, when all four wheels turn.
Final thoughts
Two wheel drive vehicles get their traction from the rear wheels. Power goes from the motor to the transmission. From the transmission it goes to the drive line. The drive line delivers power to the differential. The rear wheels are on the end of the differential.
Four wheel drive trucks and utility vehicles operate similar to two wheel drive trucks and sport utility vehicles. They have an extra differential in the front. A transfer case transfers power to the front, via a drive chain. You may also see four wheel drive written as 4WD.
Rear wheel drive
Your four wheel drive vehicle has similar components to a rear wheel drive car. There are not too many of them, left today. They have been replaced by the more efficient front wheel drive vehicles. However, the pickup truck and the SUV are still made in this fashion. The two wheel drive vehicle starts with a motor. This motor is not transverse or sideways like most cars, today. The front of the motor is in the front of the car.
Behind the motor, sits the transmission. The motor and transmission connect via a clutch disk. This works similar to brake pads. The clutch disk and flywheel spin together, when engaged. This is for a manual transmission. An automatic is similar in operation.
The transmission transmits power to the drive line from the motor. The drive line attaches to the rear end. The differential leads to the rear wheels.
The drive line and differential attach via gears. They mesh together to transfer the power to the wheels. Of course, it is more involved than that. This is a general idea of what happens.
Four wheel drive trucks
The four wheel drive system employs the same basics as the two wheel drive truck. There is the addition of a transfer case. It sets alongside the transmission. The transfer case contains a drive line that runs to the front of the vehicle. There is a differential in the front also. This is one way to tell a two wheel drive from a four wheel drive. The four wheel drive will have differentials in the front and rear. The two wheel drive only has one in the rear.
Between the transmission and transfer case is a drive chain. This is what turns the front drive line. When everything is engaged, the front and back wheels all have power. You get superior traction and performance in off-road conditions. They can do things that normal trucks, cannot.
The older trucks will have hubs that lock, manually. This allows you to disengage the front drive system. Newer vehicle have hubs that lock automatically. You do not always need power to all four wheels. Gas mileage drops down, when all four wheels turn.
Final thoughts
Two wheel drive vehicles get their traction from the rear wheels. Power goes from the motor to the transmission. From the transmission it goes to the drive line. The drive line delivers power to the differential. The rear wheels are on the end of the differential.
Four wheel drive trucks and utility vehicles operate similar to two wheel drive trucks and sport utility vehicles. They have an extra differential in the front. A transfer case transfers power to the front, via a drive chain. You may also see four wheel drive written as 4WD.
About the Author:
The vehicle's 4WD system serves one main purpose which is greater traction. 4x4 parts such as Powertrax lock right locker will make that traction system even better.
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