Quote:
Originally Posted by TestDrive
So, is 4-wheel drive less efficient because:
1) it weighs more - transfer case, front half-shafts etc.
Yes. Also keep in mind that the front hubs and are considerably heavier than on a 4x2, so extra spinning weight.
2) power is always going through the transfer case - more moving parts, friction, etc.
Yes.
3) wind resistance - 4x4s always look really jacked up
Yes, they are really jacked up.
4) All of the above?
Yes.
5) Other - something else I'm missing?
You're not thinking about the front differential and differential housing and the beefier springs and shocks needed to handle all that extra weight. Add it all up and you get -
2000 S10 4x2 curb weight: 3,040 lbs.
2000 S10 4x4 curb weight: 3,596 lbs
Not to mention the shorter gears.
2000 S10 4x2 axle ratio: 3.73
2000 S10 4x4 axle ratio: 3.42
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I'd agree with all of that but politely question the last bit about gears. It could be a typo in the source your got it from cause 4x4s almost always tend to have lower gears (higher numerically) than 2x4s. Usually to account for more weight and larger tires the manufacturer will want the motor to rev a little higher at the same speed than the 2x4 which doesn't have to deal with the weight/tire issues. I would guess those two numbers are backwards. Or the numbers could be for an auto vs a manual transmission (alot of times the auto's have different gearing to account for a difference in efficiency).