How does it work?

[brock71]

I have a 2001 Ranger 4x4 without posi differential. In 2wd it is essentially a singel rear wheel drive. When I select 4wd the traction is amazing. Seems way better than one rear and one front tire.
My question is .... in 4wd do I get two front wheels driving?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

In 2wd both rear wheels are working, it's when you get in a low traction situation that you only have one working wheel... In 4wd all four wheels work until one slips... It's amazing how much better traction you get when the axle with all the weight on it is powered though isn't it?

 

[4x4junkie]

Both rear wheels will always have the same amount of torque going to them at all times with an open differential. Where this nails you is if one tire has less traction than the other. Because the torque is always the same, the wheel with less traction will slip first, which results in no additional torque going to the wheel with more traction (it just sits there without slipping). This doesn't mean the wheel isn't pushing at all though.

A limited slip or locking diff on the other hand is capable of sending more torque to the wheel with more traction.


Check out this article. Might help explain it a bit more
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Feb 06/tech.htm

 

[brendank]

I have a 2001 Ranger 4x4 without posi differential. In 2wd it is essentially a singel rear wheel drive. When I select 4wd the traction is amazing. Seems way better than one rear and one front tire.
My question is .... in 4wd do I get two front wheels driving?

The front seems a lot more effective than the rear at adding traction because of the extra weight on the front vs. the back.

You will get the "one-wheel-peel" in the front, just like the back does.