6 x 6 - 2 wheel drive question

[danr1707]

When not in all wheel drive. Which 2 wheels are the drive?

[ranger 6x6]

The rear wheels

[danr1707]

Actually, the 6 wheel Ranger is 4x4 with the AWD off, and 6x6 with it on. The fronts engage. The owners manual is incorrect about it being 2wd. That was why I was confused.


-dan

[Z71]

4x4
4 is the total number of wheels and the 4 is the number of powered wheels

A 6x6 would not be considered a 4x4 when the front wheels are not engaged.  Technically the owners manual is correct IMO.

[danr1707]

Isn't a 6x6 without the front wheels driving be 6x4?

This is from the owner's manual:


When the switch is
off, the
RANGER is in two-wheel drive at all
times. When the switch is on, the RANGER is
in AWD, and the front wheels will
automatically engage anytime the rear wheels
lose traction.

How is the rear 4 wheels driving considered 2 wd?

[Z71]

Isn't a 6x6 without the front wheels driving be 6x4?

No not realy, its a rear wheel drive vehicle.  The term 4x4 and 6x6 only applies to the design capability of the vehicle or the number of axles it has, all wheel drive etc and not which wheels are operating at any given time.  

How is the rear 4 wheels driving considered 2 wd?

I suppose they could have been more clear by saying 'rear wheel drive' but they were trying to explain that the front wheels are not
pulling.  


Fwiw - The term 4x4, 6x6 etc came from the military during WWII in which the first number indicated the number of wheels and the second number the number of driven wheels.  It was to avoid confusing as to which vehicles might be 4x4 etc it was wight on a metal plate on the dash.