What is the difference between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive?

[dom]

Not 100% sure what exactly the difference are.

Isn't there an all wheel drive too?

[grouch]

Not 100% sure what exactly the difference are.

Isn't there an all wheel drive too?

That's easy. The number of wheels that reciece power. 2wd is either two wheels on the front or back being powered and the other two just rolling. 4wd usually refers to something with the ability to shift between 2 and 4 wheel drive as well as having a transfer case with high and low ranges. AWD is all the wheels getting power but usually only all the wheels, no lock out provision and no low range. 4wd is heavier duty and AWD is usually performance oriented.

[dom]

Four wheel drive doesn't really mean four wheels are powered thought right?

They still work with an open differential?

So isn't four wheel drive kind of like having one wheel getting power on both the front and rear?

Then a true four wheel drive would be a posi/locker setup in both the front and rear end?

[grouch]

Four wheel drive doesn't really mean four wheels are powered thought right?

They still work with an open differential?

So isn't four wheel drive kind of like having one wheel getting power on both the front and rear?

Then a true four wheel drive would be a posi/locker setup in both the front and rear end?

That can go both ways. I can tell you one thing, if you drive on ice, you DON'T want locking or limited slip differentials front and rear. If one or two wheels can slip, you'll keep going straight. If the differential locks, you'll slide with the crown of the road. Watch a hot rod sometimes when they get on it. The rear of the car will often go back and forth. I've seen a lot of trucks and SUVs modified for off road with lockers go right in the ditch in icy situations.