Im looking at a '13 STX 4x4 super cab. Beautiful truck, basic necessities for anything id need, but im stumped on the axle ratio... It has 3.55's with a regular axle (or atleast thats what the window sticker says).
So in 2wd, power only goes to one wheel, but in 4wd does it only power 2 wheels?
I know its not a crucial question, Im just at the capacity of my brain usage right now trying to think about it :P

Any help would be great! Thanks

 

With conventional(open) differentials the amount of power each wheel receives is indirectly proportional to the level of traction at each wheel. With the same traction on both wheels of a 2wd system they each receive 50% power or torque more correctly, so both wheels do drive but the torque balance between them will constantly vary with available traction. With a 4wd system a front drive axle comes into play and you again have the same L-R torque split at that axle depending upon traction, but there is no slip between the front and rear drive lines so you will always have at least 1 front and 1 rear wheel driving, and more than that if there are traction aiding diffs or an advanced traction control system.

 

Ahhhh ok, so for instance, at a boat ramp... Both rear wheels would have the same power put to them until one of them breaks loose, then roughly all of the power is put to the wheel without traction? I saw something on youtube about a open diff that had atc and looked like it did a 2 wheel burnout

 

open diff could be a problem at a boat ramp............depending on how steep, and do you go in the water? < this is if you have 2 wd. with 4 wheel drive, just put it in 4H or 4L. I had a chevy with open diffs, and a slide in camper, I just put it in 4L. never had a problem.

 

Not sure about the actual grade of the ramp, but its nothing extreme... The wheels would be pretty close to the water, if not a few inches in.
Its comforting knowing that 4x4 would be there if I needed it, but also kinda a PITA!

 

Everytime I launched a boat, I just put it in 4 wheel drive.