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Posted by David Sherman [72.47.9.228] on Sunday, January 02, 2011 at 20:49:00 :
In Reply to: Re: Why is 2WD only rear wheel drive? posted by Jerry in Idaho [64.139.238.43] on Sunday, January 02, 2011 at 20:25:50 :
Isn't that due to the knuckle joints being simple U-joints rather than CV joints? The front transaxles have CV joints to the torque is even no matter how sharp the turn. I know the older M35s had ball-type CV joints, but then they went to plain single U-joints. I'm not sure why (maybe strength), but you really feel it when trying to turn sharply on a dry surface with the front axle engaged.
Still, after 50 years of additional development, it seems like they could make a 4WD pickup that drives its front axle in 2WD mode and handles nicely while doing it. For that matter, why not make the 2WD pickups front wheel drive and end the no-traction-in-the-rear problem? There's got to be a V6 transaxle package already in use that could drop right in. Or maybe not. Nothing wrong with a 4-banger in a mini-pickup, either, like the old Mazda/Ranger trucks, and that could definitely be turned sideways and mated with a transaxle.
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