Reader: As I read your 4xForward column (Aug. '05) regarding AWD, I knew that you were going to get a lot of mail regarding your views. I applaud you for taking on such a topic. I think the bottom line is as you put it. There is no definition of AWD, full-time 4x4, symmetrical 4WD, and so on because all of those terms were developed as a marketing spin, not a definition of hardware. By definition, they are all 4x4 (according to military jargon). To me, I think there are two things that truly define whether or not a vehicle is what we consider a "real" 4x4.
1. Does it use a transaxle or transmission (specifically, is it configured as a front drive or rear drive)?
2. Is the transfer case a two-speed that can split torque 50/50?
My feeling is that if a vehicle has a transaxle like a front drive, then regardless of the type of transfer case, it is not a real 4x4. The fact is, vehicles like this were designed as front-wheel drive, then engineered to drive the rear wheels later (Escape, Subaru, Toyota RAV4, and so on).
Low range is essential for anything other than paved roads and gravel driveways. Also, if you can't drive home on one driveshaft, it ain't a real 4x4. Any torque-biased transfer case that can't lock 50/50 will burn up in a matter of minutes if one driveshaft were removed.
Finally, Oldsmobile's 442 originally stood for four-speed, four-barrel, and dual exhaust. By the end of the rear-drive Cutlass, however, the 442 had been degraded to a 307 with a Qjunk, four-speed auto, and a single exhaust with two tailpipes (not a true dual). Marketing. If they would actually build what they try to sell, some of these companies would be making money instead of offering employee discounts to everyone.
Scott Stutler
Tenneco Automotive
Product Manager
Dynomax/DNX/Walker HD
Monroe, MI
Editor: Just about a perfect description, Scott. The important stuff is where you say "what we consider a true 4x4" because each person's own opinion is perfectly valid, even when they are wrong. For our purposes, we agree with the standard rear-wheel drive with a low-range availability. I can't agree as far as being able to drive home on one driveshaft, although I probably should, as there are a few transfer cases that work exceedingly well that don't give a 50/50 lockup. And yes, I was stranded once when a vehicle's transfer case blew its front driveshaft off and couldn't drive it home. As long as the transfer case locks up 50/50 in low range I'll be satisfied, although I'd always want more options and features if I could. You have a good basis on what we believe in; thanks for writing.
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